Jump to content

Numazu: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 35°05′44.1″N 138°51′48.4″E / 35.095583°N 138.863444°E / 35.095583; 138.863444
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 35 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Reimprove|date=May 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = {{raise|0.2em|Numazu}}
| name = Numazu
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|沼津市}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|沼津市}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| official_name =
| official_name =
| settlement_type = [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
| settlement_type = [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline = Numazu and Mount Fuji.jpg
| image_skyline = 沼津市モンタージュ画像.png
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Numazu city centre and [[Mount Fuji]]
| image_caption = City center, [[Byuo]],Numazu Nakamise Shopping Street,Torii in the Heda area
| image_flag = Flag of Numazu, Shizuoka.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Numazu, Shizuoka.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
Line 24: Line 23:
| image_map = Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture Ja.svg
| image_map = Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Numazu in [[Shizuoka Prefecture]]
| map_caption = Location of Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| coordinates = {{coord|35|05|44.1|N|138|51|48.4|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|35|05|44.1|N|138|51|48.4|E|region:JP-22|display=it}}
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Tōkai region|Tōkai]])
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Tōkai region|Tōkai]])
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Shizuoka Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
Line 53: Line 52:
| leader_party =
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Akiho Ōnuma
| leader_name = Shuichi Yorishige (頼重秀一) <from May 2018>
| leader_title1 =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
Line 72: Line 71:
<!-- population -->
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 191599
| population_total = 189486
| population_as_of = March 2018
| population_as_of = December 1, 2019
| population_density_km2 = 1025
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_as_of =
Line 82: Line 81:
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code_type =
Line 111: Line 108:
| blank1_info_sec2 = 16-1 Miyukichō, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka-ken 410-8601
| blank1_info_sec2 = 16-1 Miyukichō, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka-ken 410-8601
<!-- website, footnotes -->
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{URL|www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp}}
| website = {{Official|1=www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''Numazu'''|沼津市|Numazu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in eastern [[Shizuoka Prefecture]], [[Japan]].
{{nihongo|'''Numazu'''|沼津市|Numazu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in eastern [[Shizuoka Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2019|12|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 189,486 in 91,986 households,<ref>[https://www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp Numazu City official statistics] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 1,014 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city is {{convert|186.96|sqkm|sqmi}}.


{{wide image|Numazu Shizuoka 2023 july 17 various views 02 25 02 294000.jpeg|500px|[[Mount Fuji]] seen from the streets of Numazu|260px|right}}
The city, which covers an area of {{convert|186.96|sqkm|sqmi}}, had an estimated population in March 2018 of 191,599, giving a [[population density]] of 1,025 persons per km<sup>2</sup>.
[[File:Numazu - view from Minatoguchi park - 2023 July 17.webm|thumb|260px|Numazu seen from [[Minatoguchi Park]], 2023]]

== Geography==
== Geography ==
Numazu is at the northern end of the [[Izu Peninsula]], which is a leisure destination known for its numerous [[onsen|hot springs]]. [[Mount Fuji]], Japan's tallest mountain, may also be seen from Numazu on clear days. Numazu is located {{convert|130|km|mi}} west of [[Tokyo]] and is on the [[Tōkaidō Main Line]], the main railway line from [[Osaka]] to Tokyo. Warmed by the [[Kuroshio Current]], the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. The [[Kano River]] runs through the middle of the city.
Numazu is at the northwestern end of the [[Izu Peninsula]], which is a leisure destination known for its numerous [[onsen|hot springs]]. [[Mount Fuji]], Japan's tallest mountain, may also be seen from Numazu on clear days. Numazu is located {{convert|130|km|mi}} west of [[Tokyo]] and is on the [[Tōkaidō Main Line]], the main railway line from [[Osaka]] to Tokyo. Warmed by the [[Kuroshio Current]], the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. The [[Kano River]] runs through the middle of the city. Mount Ashitaka (1188 meters) is the highest point in the city


===Neighboring municipalities===
===Neighboring municipalities===
Shizuoka Prefecture
*[[Mishima, Shizuoka|Mishima]]
*[[Mishima, Shizuoka|Mishima]]
*[[Fuji, Shizuoka|Fuji]]
*[[Fuji, Shizuoka|Fuji]]
Line 130: Line 128:
*[[Nagaizumi]]
*[[Nagaizumi]]
*[[Kannami]]
*[[Kannami]]

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-shizuoka.php Numazu population statistics]</ref> the population of Numazu has been in slow decline over the past 30 years.

{{Historical populations
| 1960 | 163,581
| 1970 | 194,274
| 1980 | 208,708
| 1990 | 216,213
| 2000 | 211,559
| 2010 | 202,283
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

===Climate===
The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''). The average annual temperature in Numazu is 15.9&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1938&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.8&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 5.9&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/shizuoka/numazu-5555/ Numazu climate data]</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Numazu is an ancient settlement, mentioned in [[Nara period]] records as the original provincial capital of [[Suruga Province]] before the separation of [[Izu Province]] from Suruga in 680, and subsequent transfer of the provincial capital to the banks of the [[Abe River]] in what is now [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka city]]. During the early part of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], Numazu was ruled as part of [[Odawara Domain]], but with the construction of [[Numazu Castle]] in 1777, it became the separate [[Numazu Domain]]. Numazu prospered in the [[Edo period]] from its location on the [[Tōkaidō (road)|Tōkaidō]], with [[Numazu-juku]] and [[Hara-juku (Tōkaidō)|Hara-juku]] as two of the 53 [[shukuba|post stations]].
Numazu is an ancient settlement, mentioned in [[Nara period]] records as the original [[kokufu|provincial capital]] of [[Suruga Province]] before the separation of [[Izu Province]] from Suruga in 680 AD, and subsequent transfer of the provincial capital to the banks of the [[Abe River]] in what is now [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka city]]. During the early part of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], Numazu was ruled as part of [[Odawara Domain]], but with the construction of [[Numazu Castle]] in 1777, it became the separate [[Numazu Domain]]. Numazu prospered in the [[Edo period]] from its location on the [[Tōkaidō (road)|Tōkaidō]] highway connecting [[Edo]] with [[Kyoto]], with [[Numazu-juku]] and [[Hara-juku (Tōkaidō)|Hara-juku]] as two of the 53 [[shukuba|post stations]].


After the [[Meiji Restoration]], [[Numazu Station]] was opened on the [[Tōkaidō Main Line]] on February 1, 1889. During the cadastral reform of the early [[Meiji period]] in 1889, the area was reorganized into Numazu Town within [[Suntō District, Shizuoka]] From its seaside location, Numazu gained a reputation as a health resort, which was further enhanced by its selection as the location of a villa for [[Emperor Meiji]] in 1893. The area become popular with other members of the [[kazoku|nobility]], statesmen (including [[Inoue Kaoru]]) and writers. Numazu town expanded in 1923 by merger with Yanagihara village, becoming Numazu City on July 1, 1923.
After the [[Meiji Restoration]], [[Numazu Station]] was opened on the [[Tōkaidō Main Line]] on February 1, 1889. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system of the early [[Meiji period]] in 1889, the area was reorganized into Numazu Town within [[Suntō District, Shizuoka]] From its seaside location, Numazu gained a reputation as a health resort, which was further enhanced by its selection as the location of an [[Numazu Imperial Villa|imperial villa]] built for [[Emperor Meiji]] in 1893. The area become popular with other members of the [[kazoku|nobility]], statesmen (including [[Inoue Kaoru]]) and writers. Numazu town expanded in 1923 by merger with Yanagihara village, becoming Numazu City on July 1, 1923.


Central Numazu was destroyed by a fire in 1926. In 1944, the city further expanded through merger with neighboring Katahama, Kanaoka, Ooka and Shizuura villages. The city was a target for American [[strategic bombing|air raid]]s in [[World War II]], and was largely destroyed by [[Bombing of Numazu in World War II|bombing on July 17, 1945]].
Central Numazu was destroyed by a fire in 1926. In 1944, the city further expanded through merger with neighboring Katahama, Kanaoka, Ooka and Shizuura villages. The city was a target for American [[strategic bombing|air raid]]s in [[World War II]], and was largely destroyed by [[Bombing of Numazu in World War II|bombing on July 17, 1945]].


In 1955, the villages of Ashitaka, Oohira, Uchiura, and Nishiura merged with Numazu, and in 1968 Hara Town also merged with Numazu. In the year 2000, Numazu was designated a {{nihongo|Special City|特例市|Tokurei-shi}} by the central government. In April 2005, the village of [[Heda, Shizuoka|Heda]] (from [[Tagata District, Shizuoka|Tagata District]]) was merged into Numazu. In 2007, Numazu hosted the 29th [[World Skills]] International Championship.
In 1955, the villages of Ashitaka, Oohira, Uchiura, and Nishiura merged with Numazu, and in 1968 Hara Town also merged with Numazu. In the year 2000, Numazu was designated a {{nihongo|Special City|特例市|Tokurei-shi}} by the central government with increased local autonomy. In April 2005, the village of [[Heda, Shizuoka|Heda]] (from [[Tagata District, Shizuoka|Tagata District]]) was merged into Numazu. In 2007, Numazu hosted the 29th [[WorldSkills]] International Championship.

==Government==
Numazu has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 28 members.


== Economy ==
== Economy ==
Numazu is an industrial city and regional financial center, and its port is a major center of Shizuoka prefecture's [[commercial fishing|fishery industry]]. Numazu produces more dried [[Japanese horse mackerel]] than any other region in Japan. The city accounts for about half of Japan's total production. Agriculture is dominated by production of [[mikan|oranges]] and [[green tea]], with [[Brussels sprouts]], dairy products and rice as secondary products. Numazu is the location of the head office of Suruga Bank, Shizuoka Chuo Bank and Numazu Shinkin Bank.
Numazu is an industrial city and regional financial center, and its port is a major center of Shizuoka prefecture's [[commercial fishing]] industry. Numazu produces more dried [[Japanese horse mackerel]] than any other region in Japan. The city accounts for about half of Japan's total production. Agriculture is dominated by production of [[mikan|mandarin oranges]] and [[green tea]], with [[Brussels sprouts]], dairy products and rice as secondary products. Numazu is the location of the head office of Suruga Bank, Shizuoka Chuo Bank and Numazu Shinkin Bank.


==Education==
==Education==
Numazu has 26 public and one private elementary school, 17 public middle schools, one public and one private combined middle school/high school and five public and six private high schools. In additional there are three special education schools in Numazu.
Numazu has 24 public elementary schools, 17 public middle schools one public combined middle/high school operated by the city government. The city has four public high schools operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education. There are also one private elementary school, one private combined middle/high school and five private high schools. The prefecture also operates three special education schools in Numazu for the handicapped.


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
[[File:JR Numazu Station.jpg|thumb|Numazu Station]]
[[File:JR Numazu Station.jpg|thumb|Numazu Station]]

===Railway===
===Railway===
* [[Central Japan Railway Company|JR Central]]: [[Tokaido Main Line]]
*[[File:JR logo (central).svg|20px]] [[Central Japan Railway Company]] - [[Tōkaidō Main Line]]
** {{STN|Numazu}}–{{STN|Katahama}}–{{STN|Hara|Shizuoka}}
** {{STN|Numazu}} - {{STN|Katahama}} - {{STN|Hara|Shizuoka}}
* [[Central Japan Railway Company|JR Central]]: [[Gotemba Line]]
*[[File:JR logo (central).svg|20px]] [[Central Japan Railway Company]] - [[Gotemba Line]]
** {{STN|Numazu}}–{{STN|Ōoka|Shizuoka}}
** {{STN|Numazu}} - {{STN|Ōoka|Shizuoka}}


===Highway===
===Highway===
*[[File:JP Expressway E1.svg|20px|link=|alt=E1]] {{Jct|country=JPN|AH|1}} [[Tomei Expressway]]
* [[Japan National Route 1]]
*[[File:JP Expressway E1A.svg|25px|link=|alt=]] [[Shin-Tōmei Expressway]]
* [[Japan National Route 246]]
*[[File:JP Expressway E70.svg|25px|link=|alt=]] [[Izu-Jūkan Expressway]]
* [[Japan National Route 414]]
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|1}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|246}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|414}}


== Local attractions==
== Local attractions ==
[[File:Numazu Alps 20100718.jpg|thumb|View from Mount Kinkan]]
[[File:Numazu Alps 20100718.jpg|thumb|View from Mount Kinkan]]
⚫
Numazu is a gateway to Mount Fuji, [[Hakone]], and [[Izu Peninsula]], which are major tourist attractions. The harbour area has seafood restaurants and features an anti-[[tsunami]] barrier with an observation floor on top that offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. There is a shopping street close to the main train station.


⚫
Numazu has the longest coastline of any municipality in the prefecture. The ''Senbonhama'' ("Thousand Tree Beach") seaside is considered one of the best places to view Osezaki, [[Nihondaira]], or the southern [[Japan Alps]] against the background of Sembonmatsubara and Mount Fuji. Three aquariums are located in Numazu: Mito Sea Paradise, Awashima Marine Park and Numazu Deepblue Aquarium.
⚫
Numazu is a gateway to Mount Fuji, [[Hakone]], and [[Izu Peninsula]], which are major tourist attractions. The harbour area has seafood restaurants and features an anti-[[tsunami]] barrier with an observation floor on top that offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. There is a shopping street not too far from the train station.

⚫
Numazu has the longest coastline of any municipality in the prefecture. The ''Senbonhama'' ("Thousand Tree Beach") seaside is considered one of the best places to view Osezaki, [[Nihondaira]], or the southern [[Japan Alps]] against the background of Sembonmatsubara and Mount Fuji. Two aquariums are located in Numazu, Mito Sea Paradise and Awashima Marine Park.


{{Wide image|Mount Kanuki, Panorama, 20110918.jpg|1500px|Numazu city from Mount Kanuki}}
{{Wide image|Mount Kanuki, Panorama, 20110918.jpg|1500px|Numazu city from Mount Kanuki}}

===National Historic Sites===
*[[Nagahama Castle(Shizuoka)|Nagahama Castle]] ruins
*[[Kōkokuji Castle]] ruins
*[[Yasumiba ruins|Yasumiba Archaeological Site]]


== Sister city relations ==
== Sister city relations ==
* {{flagdeco|US}} – [[Kalamazoo]], [[Michigan]], United States (since 1963)
* {{flagicon|USA}} – [[Kalamazoo]], [[Michigan]], USA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiamattersforamerica.org/japan/data/sister-cities-state|title=US-Japan Sister Cities by State|work=Asia Matters for America|publisher=East-West Center|language=English|accessdate=20 November 2015|location=Honolulu, HI}}</ref> (since 1963)
* {{flagicon|China}} – [[Yueyang]], [[Hunan]], China<ref name=International>{{cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=22&n=Shizuoka%20Prefecture|title=International Exchange|work=List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures|publisher=Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)|accessdate=21 November 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113132810/http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=22&n=Shizuoka%20Prefecture|archivedate=13 January 2016|df=}}</ref> (since 1985)
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} – [[Yueyang]], [[Hunan]], China<ref name=International>{{cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=22&n=Shizuoka%20Prefecture|title=International Exchange|work=List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures|publisher=Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)|access-date=21 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113132810/http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=22&n=Shizuoka%20Prefecture|archive-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> (since 1985)
* {{flagicon|Japan}} – [[Ueda, Nagano]], Japan
* {{flagdeco|Japan}} – [[Ueda, Nagano]], Japan


== Notable natives ==
== Notable people from Numazu ==
{{Unsourced|section|date=July 2012}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2012}}
* [[Tsunejiro Tomita]] (1865 – 1937) – the earliest disciple of [[judo]]
* [[Tomita Tsunejirō]] (1865–1937) – the earliest disciple of [[judo]]
* [[Yasushi Inoue]] – novelist
* [[Nobutaka Machimura]] – politician
* [[Nobutaka Machimura]]- politician
* [[Shinji Ono]] – professional soccer player
* [[Shinji Ono]] – professional soccer player
* [[Masakuni Yamamoto]] – professional soccer player
* [[Masakuni Yamamoto]] – professional soccer player
Line 188: Line 213:
* [[Tomoyoshi Murayama]] – artist and playwright
* [[Tomoyoshi Murayama]] – artist and playwright
* [[Masato Harada]] – movie director
* [[Masato Harada]] – movie director
* [[Ulka Sasaki]] — mixed martial artist

==Popular culture==
Numazu is the main setting of the anime ''[[Love Live! Sunshine!!]]'', and several characters live in Uchiura and Awashima Island. As such, many tourists come to Numazu because of the anime, and various things in the city, such as taxicabs, buses, ferries, and manhole covers, have special ''Love Live''-themed designs.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{official|http://www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp}} {{ja icon}}
* {{official|http://www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Official website|http://www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp/living_in/english.htm|Numazu City official website}} {{en icon}}
* {{Official website|http://www.city.numazu.shizuoka.jp/living_in/english.htm|Numazu City official website}} {{in lang|en}}
* [http://numazu.wordpress.com Travel guide to Numazu for tourists and foreign residents]
* [http://numazu.wordpress.com Travel guide to Numazu for tourists and foreign residents]


Line 201: Line 230:


{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Most populous cities in Japan}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Shizuoka Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Shizuoka Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Numazu, Shizuoka]]

Latest revision as of 06:28, 2 May 2024

Numazu
沼津市
Special city
City center, Byuo,Numazu Nakamise Shopping Street,Torii in the Heda area
City center, Byuo,Numazu Nakamise Shopping Street,Torii in the Heda area
Flag of Numazu
Flag
Official seal of Numazu
Seal
Location of Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Location of Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Numazu is located in Japan
Numazu
Numazu
 
Coordinates: 35°05′44.1″N 138°51′48.4″E / 35.095583°N 138.863444°E / 35.095583; 138.863444
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Tōkai)
PrefectureShizuoka
Government
 • MayorShuichi Yorishige (頼重秀一) <from May 2018>
Area
 • Total186.96 km2 (72.19 sq mi)
Population
 (December 1, 2019)
 • Total189,486
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreePine
- FlowerCrinum asiaticum
- BirdCommon gull
Phone number055-931-2500
Address16-1 Miyukichō, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka-ken 410-8601
WebsiteOfficial website

Numazu (沼津市, Numazu-shi) is a city located in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2019, the city had an estimated population of 189,486 in 91,986 households,[1] and a population density of 1,014 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 186.96 square kilometres (72.19 sq mi).

Mount Fuji seen from the streets of Numazu
Numazu seen from Minatoguchi Park, 2023

Geography[edit]

Numazu is at the northwestern end of the Izu Peninsula, which is a leisure destination known for its numerous hot springs. Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain, may also be seen from Numazu on clear days. Numazu is located 130 kilometres (81 mi) west of Tokyo and is on the Tōkaidō Main Line, the main railway line from Osaka to Tokyo. Warmed by the Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. The Kano River runs through the middle of the city. Mount Ashitaka (1188 meters) is the highest point in the city

Neighboring municipalities[edit]

Shizuoka Prefecture

Demographics[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Numazu has been in slow decline over the past 30 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 163,581—    
1970 194,274+18.8%
1980 208,708+7.4%
1990 216,213+3.6%
2000 211,559−2.2%
2010 202,283−4.4%

Climate[edit]

The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Numazu is 15.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1938 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.9 °C.[3]

History[edit]

Numazu is an ancient settlement, mentioned in Nara period records as the original provincial capital of Suruga Province before the separation of Izu Province from Suruga in 680 AD, and subsequent transfer of the provincial capital to the banks of the Abe River in what is now Shizuoka city. During the early part of the Tokugawa shogunate, Numazu was ruled as part of Odawara Domain, but with the construction of Numazu Castle in 1777, it became the separate Numazu Domain. Numazu prospered in the Edo period from its location on the Tōkaidō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto, with Numazu-juku and Hara-juku as two of the 53 post stations.

After the Meiji Restoration, Numazu Station was opened on the Tōkaidō Main Line on February 1, 1889. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into Numazu Town within Suntō District, Shizuoka From its seaside location, Numazu gained a reputation as a health resort, which was further enhanced by its selection as the location of an imperial villa built for Emperor Meiji in 1893. The area become popular with other members of the nobility, statesmen (including Inoue Kaoru) and writers. Numazu town expanded in 1923 by merger with Yanagihara village, becoming Numazu City on July 1, 1923.

Central Numazu was destroyed by a fire in 1926. In 1944, the city further expanded through merger with neighboring Katahama, Kanaoka, Ooka and Shizuura villages. The city was a target for American air raids in World War II, and was largely destroyed by bombing on July 17, 1945.

In 1955, the villages of Ashitaka, Oohira, Uchiura, and Nishiura merged with Numazu, and in 1968 Hara Town also merged with Numazu. In the year 2000, Numazu was designated a Special City (特例市, Tokurei-shi) by the central government with increased local autonomy. In April 2005, the village of Heda (from Tagata District) was merged into Numazu. In 2007, Numazu hosted the 29th WorldSkills International Championship.

Government[edit]

Numazu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 28 members.

Economy[edit]

Numazu is an industrial city and regional financial center, and its port is a major center of Shizuoka prefecture's commercial fishing industry. Numazu produces more dried Japanese horse mackerel than any other region in Japan. The city accounts for about half of Japan's total production. Agriculture is dominated by production of mandarin oranges and green tea, with Brussels sprouts, dairy products and rice as secondary products. Numazu is the location of the head office of Suruga Bank, Shizuoka Chuo Bank and Numazu Shinkin Bank.

Education[edit]

Numazu has 24 public elementary schools, 17 public middle schools one public combined middle/high school operated by the city government. The city has four public high schools operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education. There are also one private elementary school, one private combined middle/high school and five private high schools. The prefecture also operates three special education schools in Numazu for the handicapped.

Transportation[edit]

Numazu Station

Railway[edit]

Highway[edit]

Local attractions[edit]

View from Mount Kinkan

Numazu is a gateway to Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Izu Peninsula, which are major tourist attractions. The harbour area has seafood restaurants and features an anti-tsunami barrier with an observation floor on top that offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. There is a shopping street close to the main train station.

Numazu has the longest coastline of any municipality in the prefecture. The Senbonhama ("Thousand Tree Beach") seaside is considered one of the best places to view Osezaki, Nihondaira, or the southern Japan Alps against the background of Sembonmatsubara and Mount Fuji. Three aquariums are located in Numazu: Mito Sea Paradise, Awashima Marine Park and Numazu Deepblue Aquarium.

Numazu city from Mount Kanuki

National Historic Sites[edit]

Sister city relations[edit]

Notable people from Numazu[edit]

Popular culture[edit]

Numazu is the main setting of the anime Love Live! Sunshine!!, and several characters live in Uchiura and Awashima Island. As such, many tourists come to Numazu because of the anime, and various things in the city, such as taxicabs, buses, ferries, and manhole covers, have special Love Live-themed designs.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Numazu City official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Numazu population statistics
  3. ^ Numazu climate data
  4. ^ "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Numazu, Shizuoka.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Numazu&oldid=1221828036"