Shizuoka (city)

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Shizuoka

静岡市
City of Shizuoka[1]
Top left: Aoba Symbol Road; Top right: Shimizu Port Middle: Tōkaidō Shinkansen & Urban area Aoi Tower,Keyaki Street,Higashi-Shizuoka subcenter,Gofukucho, Kunozan Toshogu
Top left: Aoba Symbol Road; Top right:
Middle: Tōkaidō Shinkansen & Urban area
,Keyaki Street,Higashi-Shizuoka subcenter,Gofukucho, Kunozan Toshogu
Flag of Shizuoka
Flag
Official logo of Shizuoka
Emblem
Location of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture
Location of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka is located in Japan
Shizuoka
Shizuoka
 
Coordinates: 34°58′32″N 138°22′58″E / 34.97556°N 138.38278°E / 34.97556; 138.38278Coordinates: 34°58′32″N 138°22′58″E / 34.97556°N 138.38278°E / 34.97556; 138.38278
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Tōkai)
PrefectureShizuoka Prefecture
First official record663 AD
City Status1 April 1889;
132 years ago
 (1889-04-01)
Government
 • MayorNobuhiro Tanabe
Area
 • Designated city1,411.90 km2 (545.14 sq mi)
Population
 (1 December 2019)
 • Designated city690,881
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
 • Metro
[2] (2015)
988,056 (18th)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeFlowering dogwood
• FlowerHollyhock
• BirdCommon kingfisher
Phone number054-254-2111
Address5-1 Ōtemachi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 420-8602
WebsiteOfficial website
Shizuoka
Shizuoka (Chinese characters).svg
"Shizuoka" in kanji
Japanese name
Kanji静岡
Hiraganaしずおか
Katakanaシズオカ

Shizuoka (静岡市, Shizuoka-shi, [ɕizɯꜜoka]) is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in both population and area. It has been populated since prehistoric times. As of 1 December 2019, the city had an estimated population of 690,881 in 106,087 households,[3] and a population density of 490 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,300/sq mi).

The city's name is made up of two kanji, 静 shizu, meaning "still" or "calm"; and 岡 oka, meaning "hill(s)".[4] In 1869, Shizuoka Domain was first created out of the older Sunpu Domain, and that name was retained when the city was incorporated in 1885. In 2003, Shizuoka absorbed neighboring Shimizu City (now Shimizu Ward) to create the new and expanded city of Shizuoka, briefly becoming the largest city by land area in Japan. In 2005, it became one of Japan's "designated cities".

Geography[]

Shizuoka City lies in central Shizuoka Prefecture, about halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya along the Tōkaidō Corridor, between Suruga Bay to the south and the Minami Alps in the north. Shizuoka had the largest area of any municipality in Japan after merging with Shimizu City in April 2003, until February 2005, when Takayama in Gifu Prefecture superseded it by merging with nine surrounding municipalities.

Shizuoka City Hall

The total area of the city is 1,411.90 km2 (545.14 sq mi).[5] Shizuoka is the 5th largest city in Japan in terms of geographic area after Takayama, Hamamatsu, Nikkō, and Kitami. It is also the 2nd largest city in Shizuoka Prefecture in terms of both geographic area and population after Hamamatsu, but ranks higher as an Urban Employment Area,[2] and leads as a metropolitan area and business region.

The fan-like shape of the Shizuoka Plain and Miho Peninsula were formed over the ages by the fast-flowing Abe River, carrying along collapsed sand and earth. These areas form the foundations of the city today.[6](p242) The isolated separates the Suruga coastline from the Shimizu coastline.

Basic data[]

  • Area of densely populated region
    • 103.99 km2 (40.15 sq mi)
  • Urban planning area
    • 234.80 km2 (90.66 sq mi)
  • Area zoned for urbanization
    • 104.0 km2 (40.2 sq mi)

Bordering municipalities[]

Climate[]

On the south-central Pacific coast Shizuoka has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), which is hot and humid in the summer, and rarely snows in the winter.[7] It is close to the warm Kuroshio Current and is wet even by Japanese standards with only slightly less precipitation than Kanazawa on the opposite side of Honshū, but it is paradoxically the sunniest of Japan's major cities owing to the absence of summer fog and its sheltered location from the northwesterly winds off the Sea of Japan. Further north, the mountainous Ikawa area is part of the Japanese snow country, where there are ski areas.

hideClimate data for Shizuoka (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1940−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.7
(78.3)
26.2
(79.2)
28.0
(82.4)
33.3
(91.9)
33.9
(93.0)
38.3
(100.9)
38.4
(101.1)
38.7
(101.7)
37.1
(98.8)
33.9
(93.0)
28.0
(82.4)
24.5
(76.1)
38.7
(101.7)
Average high °C (°F) 11.7
(53.1)
12.6
(54.7)
15.5
(59.9)
19.8
(67.6)
23.5
(74.3)
26.1
(79.0)
29.9
(85.8)
31.3
(88.3)
28.4
(83.1)
23.6
(74.5)
18.8
(65.8)
14.1
(57.4)
21.3
(70.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.9
(44.4)
7.7
(45.9)
10.7
(51.3)
15.2
(59.4)
19.2
(66.6)
22.4
(72.3)
26.1
(79.0)
27.4
(81.3)
24.5
(76.1)
19.4
(66.9)
14.3
(57.7)
9.3
(48.7)
16.9
(62.4)
Average low °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8)
2.9
(37.2)
6.0
(42.8)
10.6
(51.1)
15.1
(59.2)
19.2
(66.6)
23.1
(73.6)
24.2
(75.6)
21.1
(70.0)
15.6
(60.1)
9.9
(49.8)
4.6
(40.3)
12.9
(55.2)
Record low °C (°F) −6.8
(19.8)
−5.8
(21.6)
−4.6
(23.7)
−1.4
(29.5)
5.1
(41.2)
12.5
(54.5)
15.4
(59.7)
16.9
(62.4)
10.6
(51.1)
3.9
(39.0)
−1.7
(28.9)
−5.1
(22.8)
−6.8
(19.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 79.6
(3.13)
105.3
(4.15)
207.1
(8.15)
222.2
(8.75)
215.3
(8.48)
268.9
(10.59)
296.6
(11.68)
186.5
(7.34)
280.6
(11.05)
250.3
(9.85)
134.2
(5.28)
80.7
(3.18)
2,327.3
(91.63)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) 5.8 6.5 10.2 10.5 10.9 13.6 12.9 10.6 12.8 10.9 7.6 6.1 118.3
Average relative humidity (%) 57 57 62 65 71 77 79 76 75 71 67 60 68
Mean monthly sunshine hours 207.9 187.5 189.9 189.7 192.0 135.9 157.9 201.8 157.3 157.7 173.3 200.5 2,151.5
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[8]

Nature[]

Photograph of Mount Aino
Mount Aino, one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and the fourth tallest peak in Japan
Photograph of Hatanagi-I Dam
The hydroelectric Hatanagi-I Dam—tallest concrete gravity dam in the world

Mountains[]

  • Mount Aino (間ノ岳, Aino-dake)
  • Mount Shiomi (塩見岳, Shiomi-dake)
  • Mount Warusawa (悪沢岳(荒川岳), Warusawa-dake (Arakawa-dake))
  • Mount Akaishi (赤石岳, Akaishi-dake)
  • Mount Hijiri (聖岳, Hijiri-dake)
  • Mount Tekari (光岳, Tekari-dake)
  • Mount Yanbushi (山伏, Yanbushi)
  • Mount Daimugen (大無間山, Daimugen-zan)
  • Mankan Pass (満観峠, Mankan-tōge)
  • Mount Mafuji (真富士山, Mafuji-san)
  • Mount Jūmai (十枚山, Jūmai-san)
  • Mount Ryūsō (竜爪山, Ryūsō-zan)
  • Mount Shizuhata (賤機山, Shizuhata-yama)
  • Mount Yatsu (谷津山, Yatsu-yama)
  • Mount Yahata (八幡山, Yahata-san)
  • Mount Udo (Nihondaira) (有度山(日本平), Udo-san (Nihondaira))
  • Mount Kajiwara (梶原山, Kajiwara-yama)
  • Mount Satta (Satta Pass) (薩埵山(薩埵峠), Satta-yama (Satta-tōge))
  • Mount Hamaishi (浜石岳, Hamaishi-dake)
  • Mount Ōmaru (大丸山, Ōmaru-yama)
  • Mount Ōhira (大平山, Ōhira-yama)

Rivers[]

  • Ōi River (大井川, Ōi-gawa) (upstream)
  • Abe River (安倍川)
  • Warashina River (藁科川, Warashina-gawa)
  • Mariko River (丸子川, Mariko-gawa)
  • Tomoe River (巴川, Tomoe-gawa)
  • Ōya River Drainage Ditch (大谷川放水路, Ōya-gawa Hōsui-ro)
  • Nagao River (長尾川, Nagao-gawa)
  • Fuji River (富士川, Fuji-kawa)
  • Okitsu River (興津川, Okitsu-gawa)
  • Ōzawa River (大沢川, Ōzawa-gawa)
  • Ihara River (庵原川, Ihara-gawa)
  • Yamakiri River (山切川, Yamakiri-gawa)
  • Nakagōchi River (中河内川, Nakagōchi-gawa)
  • Ōhashi River (大橋川, Ōhashi-gawa)
  • Kogōchi River (小河内川(興津川支流), Kogōchi-gawa)

Lakes[]

  • Lake Ikawa (井川湖, Ikawa-ko) (Ikawa Dam)
  • Lake Hatanagi (畑薙湖, Hatanagi-ko) (Hatanagi-I Dam)
  • Asahata Marsh (Asahata Anti-flood Pond) (麻機沼(麻機遊水地), Asahata-numa (Asahata Yūsuichi))
  • Kujira Pond (鯨ヶ池, Kujira-ike)
  • Udosaka Pond (有東坂池, Udosaka-ike)
  • Futatsu Pond (Oshika Pond) (二ツ池(小鹿池), Futatsu-ike (Oshika-ike))
  • Funakoshi Dike (船越堤, Funakoshi-tsutsumi)

Demographics[]

As of August 2019, the city had an estimated population of 704,989 in 286,013 households[3] and a population density of 507 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,310/sq mi).

Shizuoka City seen from the South
Demographic Population As of
Male 343,339 August 2019[3]
Female 361,651
Households 286,013[3]
Foreign 9,389 May 2019[3]
Total 704,989 August 2019[3]

Historic population[]

Per Japanese census data,[9] the population of Shizuoka has been declining slowly since 1990.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 395,189—    
1950 467,782+18.4%
1960 576,482+23.2%
1970 681,797+18.3%
1980 727,260+6.7%
1990 739,300+1.7%
2000 729,980−1.3%
2010 716,328−1.9%

Administration[]

Wards[]

Coloured map
Wards of Shizuoka
Aoi Ward (葵区, Aoi-ku)
Administrative center, made up of the former Shizuoka north of the Tōkaidō Main Line excluding district
Suruga Ward (駿河区, Suruga-ku)
Former Shizuoka south of the Tōkaidō Main Line and Osada district
Shimizu Ward (清水区, Shimizu-ku)
Former city of Shimizu and towns of Kanbara and Yui.

Administrative district "image colours"[]

On 22 December 2006, colours and logos were established for each of the wards.[10]

Aoi Ward Aoi Ward Green
Suruga Ward Suruga Ward Red
Shimizu Ward Shimizu Ward Blue

Ward offices[]

  • Shizuoka City Office/Aoi Ward Office:
    5-1 Ōtemachi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi 420-8602
    • Aoi Ward Ikawa Branch Office:
      656-2 Ikawa, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi 428-0504
  • Suruga Ward Office:
    10-40 Minamiyahata-chō, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi 422-8550
    • Suruga Ward Osada Branch Office:
      13-1 Kami-Kawahara Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi 421-0132
  • Shimizu City Office/Shimizu Ward Office:
    6-9 Asahi-chō, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi 424-8701
    • Shimizu Ward Kanbara Branch Office:
      1-21-1 Kanbara Shinden, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi 421-3211

Government[]

Shizuoka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 48 members. The city contributes 13 members to the Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between Shizuoka 1st District and Shizuoka 4th District in the lower house of the Japanese Diet.

Mayors (former Shizuoka city from 1889 to 2003)[]

Mayors (former Shimizu city from 1924 to 2003)[]

Mayors (since 2003 merger)[]

Mayors of Shizuoka
Term Name Start Finish
1–2 Zenkichi Kojima 14 April 2003 12 April 2011
3–4 Nobuhiro Tanabe 13 April 2011 current

History[]

Ancient history[]

The area that is now the city of Shizuoka has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Numerous kofun have been found within the city limits, and the Toro archaeological site indicates that a major Yayoi period (circa 400 BC–300 AD) settlement existed in what is now part of the central city area.

Suruga was established as a province of Japan in the early Nara period. At some point between the year 701 and 710, the provincial capital was relocated from what is now Numazu, to a more central location on the banks of the Abe River at a location named Sunpu (駿府) (a contraction of "Suruga no Kokufu" (駿河の国府)) or alternatively "Fuchū" (府中).

Pre-modern Shizuoka[]

During the Muromachi period, Sunpu was the capital of the Imagawa clan. The Imagawa were defeated at the Battle of Okehazama, and Sunpu was subsequently ruled by Takeda Shingen, followed by Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated Ieyasu, and installed Nakamura Kazutada to rule Sunpu. After the Toyotomi were defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu recovered Sunpu, reassigning it to his own retainer, Naitō Nobunari in 1601. This marked the start of Sunpu Domain.

Reconstructed building at the Toro archeological site

In April 1606, Ieyasu officially retired from the post of shōgun, and retired to Sunpu, where he established a secondary court, from which he could influence Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada from behind the scenes. Subsequently, aside for brief periods, Sunpu was tenryō (territory under direct administration by the Shogunate), ruled by the Sunpu jōdai (駿府城代), an appointed official based in Sunpu.

Reconstructed Tatsumi yagura of Sunpu Castle

From the Meiji period to World War II[]

In 1869, after the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the former shogunal line, headed by Tokugawa Iesato was sent to Sunpu and assigned the short-lived Sunpu Domain. The same year, Sunpu was renamed "Shizuoka". Shizuoka Domain became Shizuoka Prefecture with the abolition of the han system in 1871, which was expanded in 1876 through merger with the former Hamamatsu Prefecture and western portions of in 1876. Shizuoka Station on the Tōkaidō Main Line was opened on 1 February 1889. The same day, a fire burned down most of downtown Shizuoka.

The modern city was founded on 1 April 1889. At the time, the population was 37,681, and Shizuoka was one of the first 31 cities established in Japan.

An electric tram service began in 1911. In 1914, due to heavy rains caused by a typhoon, the Abe River flooded, inundating the downtown area.[11] In the national census of 1920, the population of Shizuoka was 74,093. The area of the city continued to expand through the 1920s and 1930s through merger with outlying towns and villages. In 1935, the city was struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, resulting in much damage. Although soon rebuilt, a large fire in 1940 again destroyed much of the center of the city.

During World War II, Shizuoka lacked targets of major military significance, and was initially only lightly bombed during several American air raids. However, in a major firebombing raid of 19 June 1945, the city suffered an extreme amount of damage with high civilian casualties.

Post-war Shizuoka[]

The area of the city continued to expand through the 1950s and 1960s through merger with outlying towns and villages. On 1 October 1964, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen began services to Shizuoka, and on 25 April 1969 the city was connected to the Tōmei Expressway. On 7 July 1974, the Abe River flooded, and landslides occurred during heavy rains, killing 23 people.[citation needed] On 16 August 1980, a major gas leak in an underground shopping center near Shizuoka Station resulted in an explosion, killing 15 people and seriously injuring 233 others. The Shizuoka City Hall moved to new premises in 1986. On 1 April 1992, Shizuoka was designated a core city by the central government, giving it increased autonomy.[12]

The 1 April 2003 merger with Shimizu City (current Shimizu Ward) greatly expanded the area and population of Shizuoka,[13] which then became a designated city on 1 April 2005,[14] and was divided into three wards.[citation needed]

Despite being somewhat geographically isolated from the rest of the city, the town of Kanbara (from Haibara District) was merged into Shizuoka on 31 March 2006,[15] becoming part of Shimizu Ward. On 1 November 2008, the town of Yui (also from Haibara District) was also merged into Shimizu Ward.[16]

Economy[]

Mount Fuji and Shizuoka City
Downtown Shizuoka City
Bandai Hobby Center
A map showing Shizuoka Metropolitan Employment Area.
  • Shizuoka has 35,579 businesses as of 2012.[5]
  • Employment by industry: Agriculture 0.1%, Manufacturing: 26.9%, Service 73.0%
  • Greater Shizuoka, Shizuoka Metropolitan Employment Area, has a GDP of US$45.8 billion as of 2010.[17][18]
  • Shizuoka's GDP per capita (PPP) 2014 was US$41,472.[19]

Fuji Dream Airlines is headquartered in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka.[20]

Agriculture[]

Green tea
Varieties such as Motoyama and Yabukita are grown in all corners of the city, and the varieties grown especially in the Warashina area in Aoi Ward and the Ryōgōchi area of Shimizu Ward are known for their high quality
Strawberries
"Stonewall strawberries" (石垣いちご, ishigaki ichigo) are strawberries that grow in holes on inclined stone walls, grown especially along an 8 km (5 mi) stretch of Kunō Kaidō (route 150), also known as "Strawberry Road", along the coast of Suruga Bay.[21]
Wasabi
especially in areas such as Utōgi in Aoi Ward
Mandarin orange and other citrus fruits
especially Satsuma, a seedless and easy-peeling citrus mutant, known as mikan (みかん) or formally unshū mikan (ウンシュウミカン)[22][23][24][25]
Lotus roots
especially in the Asahata area of Aoi Ward
Roses
especially in the Ihara and Okitsu areas in Shimizu Ward
Peaches
especially in the Osada area:::
Potatoes
Especially the Sebago potato. Originally exported to Crookwell

Fishery[]

Shimizu Port boasts the largest haul of tuna in all Japan.[citation needed] Kanbara Harbour enjoys a prosperous haul of sakura ebi, and Mochimune Harbour enjoys a prosperous haul of shirasu sardines.

Products[]

Abekawa Mochi is a type of rice cake (or mochi) made with kinako soy flour that is a specialty of Shizuoka.

Shizuoka has a long history of being involved in the craft industries going back over 400 years ago, using trees, including hinoki cypress. The model industry goes back to the late 1920s when wood was used to produce model toys, using sashimono woodworking joinery techniques, purely for educational purposes. Craftsmen later moved on to lighter woods including balsa, but following the war, with the importation of US built scale models, many companies either turned to plastic models to compete or went under.[26][27]

The town has since become internationally notable for its plastic scale model kits[28] and is resident to long-established companies such as Aoshima, Fujimi, Hasegawa, and Tamiya. Another model brand, Bandai, produces its Gundam models exclusively at its Bandai Hobby Center plant in the city.[29] The city hosts the long-running Shizuoka Hobby Show annually in May at .[30]

Cuisine[]

Oden
a Japanese dish consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon radish, konnyaku, and processed fish cakes stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth. Oden in Shizuoka uses a dark coloured broth flavoured with beef stock and dark soy sauce. All ingredients are skewered. Dried, ground fish (sardine, mackerel, or katsuobushi) and aonori powder (edible seaweed) are sprinkled on top before eating.
Gyoza
Soba noodles
Seafood
Zōni soup
rice cakes in a broth cooked with vegetables, popular at New Year
Tororo
A grated yam soup. Chojiya, a tororo restaurant founded in 1598 in Mariko-juku area of Shizuoka, west of the Abe River, was made famous by Hiroshige when he depicted it in his series of ukiyo-e prints of the 53 stops along the Tōkaidō.

Culture[]

There are three main festivals on Shizuoka's calendar.

Shizuoka Festival (静岡まつり, Shizuoka Matsuri)
The city's April festival during the high point of the year for cherry blossoms. A flower-viewing procession imitates the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu's custom of taking daimyōs (feudal lords) to Sengen Shrine to view the cherry blossoms.
Abekawa Fireworks (安倍川花火, Abekawa Hanabi)
A gigantic fireworks display held upstream on Shizuoka's Abe River in late July.
Daidogei World Cup (大道芸ワールドカップ, Daigougei Waarudo kappu)
Street Performance World Cup. Probably the biggest event on Shizuoka's Calendar, it is an annual international busker's festival, held in November. It includes various shows such as juggling, pantomime, magic, etc. Performers come from around the world and perform throughout the central part of the city as well as in some peripheral locations. From 2005, it expanded from a 3-day to a 4-day festival.

Sport[]

With the Shimizu merger, Shimizu S-Pulse became the major soccer club in the city. Recently, however, a new rival club, Fujieda MYFC (from nearby Fujieda), has been rising in the regional league ranks as a contender for a place in the Japan Football League. The city hosted the official Asian Basketball Championship for Women in 1995 and 1999.

Transportation[]

Shizuoka Station North exit

Railway[]

Shizuoka lies on the Tōkaidō Main Line, the JR Central main railway line from Tokyo to Osaka, and is well-served by the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, limited express and regional trains. The central station of Shizuoka is in the city centre. Shizuoka also has an LRT line, the Shizuoka Railway, administered by the Shizuoka Railway Co., Ltd. at Shizuoka Station. The under construction Chūō Shinkansen will pass through the mountainous area in the northern tip of the city. However, the line is not planned to have a station in Shizuoka.

Highways[]

Sea port[]

The Port of Shimizu-ku, in Shimizu City (now Shimizu Ward), is a long established mid-size sea port, catering to container ships, dry bulk ships and cruise ships.[31]

It is well located, being in between the two major port areas of Japan, i.e. the Tokyo Bay ports of Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama (Keihin ports) and the Osaka Bay ports of Osaka and Kobe (Hanshin ports). The Port of Shimizu has a water depth of about 12 metres (39 ft); its attractiveness has been enhanced over the past years by the construction of new road and rail links which contribute to expanding its commercial hinterland.

In tonnage, imports (about 6.5 million tonnes (6,400,000 long tons; 7,200,000 short tons)) are close to twice export volumes, but in trade value exports are twice as valuable as imports.

The Port of Shimizu container traffic is about balanced, with over 250,000 TEU in each direction, with auto parts and chemicals amongst the main cargo types. Major international container lines provide weekly services on major trade routes, including North America, Europe and Asia, with about 110 calls per months on 28 trade routes.

The port of Shimizu also includes a terminal to receive LNG tankers and store imported Liquefied natural gas; it is operated by Shimizu LNG, a subsidiary of Shizuoka Gas (Japan is the world's largest importer of LNG).

The Port of Shimizu is also connected to other Japan ports. In particular, it is served by a Roll-on/roll-off service serving the port of Ōita, on the north-east coast of the southern island of Kyushu. This service, which sails three times a week and has a transit time of 20 hours, has enabled a modal shift of freight trucks from road to sea, thereby contributing to decreasing congestion and pollution on roads.

Airports[]

The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, situated between Makinohara and Shimada.

Education[]

Colleges and universities[]

Photograph of Shizuoka University
The main campus of Shizuoka University
Shizuoka University
National university, founded 1949. Main campus in Suruga Ward. Abbreviated to 静大 (Shizudai).
University of Shizuoka
Public university whose main campus is in Suruga Ward, close to Kusanagi Station.
Tokai University
Shimizu campus of the Tokyo-based private university
Tokoha Gakuen University
Private university founded in 1946
Shizuoka Eiwa Gakuin University
Co-educational private university in Suruga Ward, founded by missionaries from the Methodist Church of Canada with the support of the Shizuoka prefectural government. First institution in Shizuoka Prefecture to offer secondary education for girls, it became a four-year coeducational university in 2002.
University of Shizuoka Junior College
Junior college in Suruga Ward, affiliated with University of Shizuoka.
Tokai University Junior College
Junior college in Aoi Ward, affiliated with Tokai University.
Tokoha Gakuen Junior College
Junior college in Aoi Ward, affiliated with Tokoha Gakuen University.

Primary and secondary education[]

Shizuoka has 91 elementary schools, 57 middle schools and 27 high schools. In addition there are 29 vocations schools and 12 public libraries.

Tourism[]

Museums[]

  • Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art

Media[]

Photograph of SBS/Shizuoka Shimbun building
The headquarters of Shizuoka Broadcasting System (SBS) and the Shizuoka Shimbun newspaper

Print media[]

The Shizuoka Shimbun is the area's primary newspaper.

Broadcast media[]

Television[]

  • NHK Shizuoka (Analogue Channel 9; Digital Channel 1)
  • NHK Shizuoka Educational Channel (Analogue Channel 2; Digital Channel 2)
  • Shizuoka Broadcasting System (SBS) (Analogue Channel 11; Digital Channel 6)
  • TV Shizuoka (Analogue Channel 35; Digital Channel 8)
  • Shizuoka Daiichi Television (Analogue Channel 31; Digital Channel 4)
  • (Analogue Channel 33; Digital Channel 5)

Cable television[]

Shizuoka Cable Television (Dream Wave Shizuoka)

Radio[]

  • NHK1 882 kHz
  • NHK2 639 kHz
  • NHK-FM 88.8 MHz
  • SBS 1404 kHz / 93.9 MHz
  • K-MIX 79.2 MHz
  • FM-Hi!76.9 MHz
  • Marine Pal (FM Shimizu) 76.3 MHz
  • Guzen Media Japan—A podcast and vidcast based in Shizuoka, Japan[32]

Major attractions[]

Historic spots[]

In Aoi Ward[]

Photograph of Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
A collection of Shinto shrines that was patronised by powerful warrior clans since ancient times, most notably the Tokugawa clan.
Sunpu Park/Sunpu Castle ruins
The castle of the Imagawa and Tokugawa clans, originally built in 1599, was destroyed in 1869. Today, only the moats remain. The rest was turned into a park, and is now a popular place for hanami.

In Suruga Ward[]

Toro
Late Yayoi archaeological site notable as the first archaeological site excavated in Japan in which remains of a 1st-century AD Yayoi-era wet-rice Paddy fields were found.
Kunōzan Tōshō-gū
Shinto shrine that was the original burial place of Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the oldest of the Tōshō-gū shrines in Japan. The main festival of the shrine is held annually on 17 April, although its spring festival from 17–18 February is a larger event.[33]
Mariko-juku
Twentieth of the fifty-three stations of the old Tōkaidō road, an old travel route during the Edo period.

In Shimizu Ward[]

Hiroshige's Mariko-juku
Famous for the scenic Miho no Matsubara (三保の松原, Miho Pine Grove), renowned as a seashore with beautiful green pine trees and white sands spanning over seven kilometers, designated as one of (新日本三景, Shin Nihon Sankei). Also known as the scene of the legend of Hagoromo, which is based on the traditional swan maiden motif.

Notable people[]

Sister and friendship cities[]

Shizuoka has twin and friendship relationships with several cities.[35][36]

Twin cities[]

Overseas[]

  • Stockton, California, United States (since 16 October 1959)
  • Omaha, Nebraska, United States (since 1 April 1965)
  • Shelbyville, Indiana, United States (since 3 November 1989)
  • Cannes, France[37] (since 5 November 1991)

Within Japan[]

  • Muroran, Hokkaidō (since 24 December 1976)
  • Jōetsu, Niigata (since 12 October 1995)

Friendship cities[clarification needed][]

Overseas[]

  • Huế, Vietnam (since 12 April 2005)

Within Japan[]

  • Saku, Nagano (since 12 October 1989)

City song[]

Watashi no Machi, Shizuoka (わたしの街 静岡)[38]

  • Written: 13 April 2005
  • Lyrics: Citizen competition entry
  • Music, additions: Kei Ogura
  • Arranged: Shin Kawabe
  • Eri Itō sang on the CD release

References[]

  1. ^ "Foreign Languages". City of Shizuoka (in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese). Public Relations Section, Mayor's Office, General Affairs Bureau. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Kanemoto, Yoshitsugu. "Urban Employment Area Population Data, Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) (2015 Standards)" (CSV). Center for Spatial Information Science (in Japanese and English). University of Tokyo. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Tsukibetsu jinkō dēta(Shizuoka shi no jinkō setaisū" 月別人口データ(静岡市の人口・世帯数 [Monthly population data (population and number of households in Shizuoka City)]. City of Shizuoka (in Japanese). Shizuoka City Planning Bureau, Planning Division, Statistics Section. 10 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. ^ Room, Adrian (25 February 2015). Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features and Historic Sites (2nd ed.). McFarland & Company. pp. 344–345. ISBN 978-0-7864-2248-7. LCCN 2005017522. OCLC 1194921674. OL 3402578M.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b http://www.city.shizuoka.jp/000163754.pdf
  6. ^ Yamaguchi, Noriko (20 June 2008). "Abe River: The Crystal Waters that Gave Rise to a City for the Ages". The Proceedings of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit: Water Security: Leadership and Commitment. Beppu City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan: World Scientific. ISBN 978-981-283-327-3. LCCN 2008339415. OCLC 836957213. OL 23934454M.
  7. ^ "Monthly total of snowfall depth (cm)". Japan Meteorological Agency. 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  8. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  9. ^ Shizuoka population statistics
  10. ^ District Image Colours and Logo Marks Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Inoue, Kimio; Kanbara, Junichi; Motohashi, Kazushi; Watanabe, Yasuhiro (15 July 2008). 安倍川中流・蕨野地区の西側山腹崩壊で生じた河道閉塞と1914年の水害 [The landslide dam and outburst floods at Warabino area of the Abe River in 1914]. Journal of the Japan Society of Erosion Control Engineering (in Japanese and English). Japan Society of Erosion Control Engineering. 61 (2): 30–35. doi:10.11475/sabo.61.2_30.
  12. ^ [1] List of Core Cities, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
  13. ^ Shizuoka city home page, Shimizu merger documents
  14. ^ Hook, Glenn D. (2011). Decoding Boundaries in Contemporary Japan. Taylor & Francis. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-415-60044-6.
  15. ^ City mergers seen tailing off as the initial excitement fades | The Japan Times
  16. ^ [2] Shizuoka city home page, Yui merger documents
  17. ^ Yoshitsugu Kanemoto. "Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data". Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo.
  18. ^ Conversion rates - Exchange rates - OECD Data
  19. ^ "Global Metro Monitor". 30 November 2001.
  20. ^ "会社概要." Fuji Dream Airlines. Retrieved on 20 May 2009.
  21. ^ What is cool and hot in this season – Strawberry Picking around Kuno
  22. ^ Hanelt, Peter (11 May 2001). Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Except Ornamentals. Illustrated by R. Kilian. Springer. p. 1033. ISBN 978-3540410171. OCLC 925011140. OL 12774481M.
  23. ^ Wiersema, John H.; León, Blanca (26 February 1999). World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference (1st ed.). CRC Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-0849321191. OCLC 317789267. OL 8259509M.
  24. ^ "Plant Name Details: Rutaceae Citrus unshiu Marcow". International Plant Names Index.
  25. ^ "Citrus unshiu". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  26. ^ Amazon.co.uk: Master Modeler: Creating the Tamiya Style: Shunsaku Tamiya, Giles Murray: Books
  27. ^ 田宮模型の仕事: Creating the Tamiya Style By Shunsaku Tamiya
  28. ^ Business & Industry
  29. ^ Tour of Gundam Model Factory "Bandai Hobby Center" in Shizuoka - GIGAZINE
  30. ^ "Record of Past International Conferences". Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  31. ^ "Port of Shimizu". Shimizu Port Authority. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  32. ^ http://guzenmediajapan.com/
  33. ^ Plutschow, Herbe (17 October 1996). Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan (1st ed.). Curzon. ISBN 978-1873410639. OCLC 924886456. OL 8653650M.
  34. ^ Parkin, Simon (31 March 2015). "Bloodborne creator Hidetaka Miyazaki: 'I didn't have a dream. I wasn't ambitious'". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  35. ^ International Sister Cities & Friendship Cities ‐ 静岡市 Archived 12 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine Shizuoka website retrieved 8 July 2008
  36. ^ Domestic Sister Cities & Friendship Cities ‐ 静岡市 Archived 17 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine Shizuoka website retrieved 8 July 2008
  37. ^ "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.
  38. ^ 市歌 [City Song] (in Japanese). City of Shizuoka. 2007. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.

External links[]

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