Nagaokakyō, Kyoto Explained

Nagaokakyō
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:City
Image Map1:Nagaokakyo in Kyoto Prefecture Ja.svg
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:34.9269°N 135.6958°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Kansai
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Kyoto
Subdivision Type3:District
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Kengo Nakakoji (since January 2015)
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:19.17
Population Total:82,279
Population As Of:September 1, 2023
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address
Blank Info Sec1:1-1-1 Kaida, Nagaokakyō-shi, Kyoto-fu 617-8501
Module:
Embedded:yes

right|thumb|270px| Nagaoka Tenman-gūright|thumb|270px| Komyo-ji temple is a city located in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan., the city has an estimated population of 82,279 in 37718 households and a population density of 4700 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 19.17sqkm.

Geography

Nagaokakyō is located in southwestern Kyoto Prefecture. The Obata River and Koizumi River flow through the city. The topography is low from the northwest to the southwest. The area is noted for its bamboo forests.

Neighboring municipalities

Kyoto Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture

Climate

Nagaokakyō has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nagaokakyō is 14.5 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1677 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.1 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Nagaokakyō has increased slightly in recent decades.

History

The area of Nagaokakyō was part of ancient Yamashiro Province. The legendary Kofun period Emperor Keitai's Prince Otokuni, constructed a palace in this location in 518 AD. In 784 AD, Emperor Kammu transferred the capital of Japan from Heijō-kyō to the Nagaoka-kyō Palace; however, the palace was not actually located in modern Nagaokakyō, but in the adjacent city of Mukō .

The villages of Otokuni, Kaiin-ji and Shinkotari in Otokuni District, Kyoto were established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. These villages merged on April 1, 1949 to form the town of Nagaoka, which was elevated to city status on October 1, 1972, taking the name of Nagaoka-kyō.

Government

Nagaokakyō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Nagaokakyō, collectively with Ōyamazaki contributes two members to the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kyoto 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Nagaokakyō has a mixed economy based on commerce and light manufacturing. Murata Manufacturing and Mitsubishi Logisnext are based in Nagaokakyō. The city is also a commuter town for the neighboring cities of Kyoto and Osaka.

Education

Nagaokakyō has ten public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by city government and two public high schools operated by the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private junior high school and one private high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. The Kyoto Seizan College is a private junior college located in Nagaokakyō.

Transportation

Railways

JR West - Tōkaidō Main Line (JR Kyoto Line)

Hankyu - Kyoto Main Line

Highways

Sister city relations

Local attractions

Culture

The most popular event in Nagaokakyo is the Garasha Festival, usually held in November, in honor Hosokawa Gracia. The Garasha Festival is held at both the Nagaokakyo Cultural Center and Shoryuji Castle, while the parade runs throughout the city. Many of the parade participants wear various period's traditional clothing, including the chosen 'Garasha' of the year.[4]

Notable people from Nagaokakyō

See also

References

  1. Web site: Nagaokakyō City official statistics. Japan. ja.
  2. https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/kyoto-prefecture/nagaokakyo-4768/ Nagaokakyō climate: Average Temperature, weather by month
  3. https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-kyoto.php Nagaokakyō population statistics
  4. Web site: 京都・長岡京市 ガラシャの魂息づく. 日本経済新聞. January 22, 2011. ja.

External links