| Iiyama | |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Pushpin Map: | Japan |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | |
| Coordinates: | 36.8516°N 138.3655°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Japan |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu) |
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture |
| Subdivision Name2: | Nagano |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Masanori Adachi |
| Area Total Km2: | 202.43 |
| Population Total: | 20118 |
| Population As Of: | February 2019 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | Japan Standard Time |
| Utc Offset1: | +9 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Symbols |
| Blank Info Sec1: | |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | • Tree |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Siebold's beech |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | • Flower |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Camellia |
| Blank3 Name Sec1: | • Bird |
| Blank3 Info Sec1: | Mandarin duck |
| Blank4 Name Sec1: | • Insect |
| Blank4 Info Sec1: | Luehdorfia japonica |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Phone number |
| Blank Info Sec2: | 0269-62-3111 |
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Address |
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | 1110-1, Ōaza Iiyama, Iiyama-shi, Nagano-ken 389-2292 |
is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 20,118 in 7372 households,[1] and a population density of 99 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 202.43sqkm. It markets itself as "Japan's Hometown" and is known as the "Little Kyoto of Snow Country".
Iiyama is located in the mountainous far northern portion of Nagano Prefecture, and is bordered by Niigata Prefecture to the north. The area is known for severe winters with heavy snowfall. The Chikuma River (the longest river in Japan) runs through the centre of the area and becomes known as the Shinano River when it passes into Niigata Prefecture.
The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Dfa). The average annual temperature in Iiyama is . The average annual rainfall is with January as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around . All of the city is considered part of the snow country of Japan, with heavy accumulations of snow in winter.
The area of present-day Iiyama was part of ancient Shinano Province. The area was part of the holdings of Iiyama Domain during the Edo period, and the core of the city was the jōkamachi surrounding Iiyama Castle, held by a cadet branch of the Honda clan. The modern town of Iiyama was established within Shimominochi District, Nagano with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on August 1, 1954 by the merger of the town of Iiyama with neighboring villages of Akitsu, Tokiwa, Yanagihara, Tozama, Kijima and Zuiho. The villages of Ōta and Okayama were also annexed in 1955.
Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Iiyama has declined over the past 70 years.
Iiyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members.
The economy of Iiyama is primarily agricultural with emphasis on rice, asparagus, mushrooms and potatoes. Manufacturing includes production of Butsudan, skis and electronics. Seasonal tourism to ski resorts and hot springs also make a major contribution.[3]
The TV and electronics manufacturer Iiyama was founded in the city in 1972, although, after a series of mergers, the company is no longer headquartered there. The old office continues to be used as a manufacturing centre for Iiyama's parent company, Mouse Computer.[4] [5]
Iiyama has seven public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government. The city has one public high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.
– Futian District, Shenzhen, China – friendship city since July 10, 2014.