| Tokushima | |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Image Map1: | Tokushima in Tokushima Prefecture Ja.svg |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Shikoku |
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture |
| Established Title: | City Status |
| Established Date: | October 1, 1889 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Area Total Km2: | 191.52 |
| Population Total: | 249865 |
| Population As Of: | July 1, 2022 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | JST |
| Utc Offset1: | +9 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Symbols |
| Blank Info Sec1: | |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | • Tree |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Elaeocarpus sylvestris |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | • Flower |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Prunus serrulata |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Phone number |
| Blank Info Sec2: | 088-621-5111 |
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Address |
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | 2-5 Saiwaichō, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima-ken 770-8571 |
is the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island in Japan., the city had an estimated population of 249,865 in 122085 households and a population density of 1305 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city is 191.52sqkm.
The city is situated in the north-eastern part of Tokushima Prefecture at the mouth of the Yoshino River. In terms of layout and organization, Tokushima displays the typical characteristics of a Japanese castle town. Most of the city is located in the Tokushima plain and is flat, but the symbol of the city, Mt. Bizan, rises in the center, creating a scenic landscape. The southern part is a mountainous area with forests.
| Name | Height | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizan (眉山) | 277 m | ||
| Shiroyama (城山) | 62 m | ||
| Nakatsu Mineyama (中津峰山) | 773 m | ||
| Nishi Ryuo-san (西竜王山) | 495 m | ||
| Higashi Ryuo-san (東龍王山) | 408m | ||
| Kinobeyama (気延山) | 212 m | ||
| Bentenyama (弁天山) | 6.1 m |
Tokushima Prefecture
Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Tokushima has been growing steadily for the past century.
Tokushima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high, but there is a pronounced difference between the wetter summers and drier winters.
As with all of Tokushima Prefecture, the area of Tokushima was part of ancient Awa Province. Tokushima was developed around Tokushima Castle, the seat of the Hachisuka clan, daimyo of Tokushima Domain under the Edo Period Tokugawa shogunate. Its prosperity was built on a strong indigo dye industry. Following the Meiji restoration, the city of Tokushima was established on October 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. At the time, it was the 10th largest city in Japan.
Tokushima was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command during World War II because of the city's role as an agricultural center for the region. On July 3, 1945, at 5:45 PM (JST) 137 aircraft took off to bomb Tokushima. 1,050 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Tokushima, destroying 74% of the built up areas of the city.[3] Over 1000 people were killed in the bombing (431 men, 553 women, 17 of unknown gender) and over 2000 people were injured. The number of incendiary bombs dropped on Tokushima City was enormous at 354,664, and since the population of Tokushima City was 115,508 in 1944, it is calculated that 3.07 incendiary bombs were dropped per citizen.
Tokushima has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 30 members. Tokushima contributes ten members to the Tokushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokushima 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Tokushima has been the economic center of eastern Shikoku since the Edo period, when prospered as a distribution center for indigo and timber, and was one of the leading commercial cities in Japan. It has a deep connection with the Kansai region especially Osaka, which has become even more prominent in modern times after the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Following the decline of the indigo industry, the accumulated wealth of the merchant class led to the development of banks and financial institutions, which in turn led to modern industries such as spinning, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, food processing and electric power. Although the city area was burnt to the ground due to the Tokushima air raid in World War II, it was quickly reconstructed. There are numerous industrial parks.
Agriculture and forestry both remain as major contributors the local economy. The Tokushima Plain in the Yoshino and Katsuura river basins have fertile agricultural land, and in addition to rice, some items such as cauliflower and carrots are major local products.
Tokushima has 30 public elementary schools and 18 public middle schools operated by the city government and nine public high schools operated by the Tokushima Prefectural Department of Education. There are also one private elementary school, three private middle schools and five private high schools. The prefecture also operates one night school and four special education schools for the disabled.
Shikoku Railway Company – Mugi Line
Shikoku Railway Company – Tokushima Line
Every August, during the Obon Festival, Tokushima holds a cultural dance festival, the Awa Odori. Awa Odori literally translates as "Awa Dance" (Awa being Tokushima Prefecture's ancient name). During the festival, residents ranging from young children to professional dance troupes perform a distinctive style of Japanese traditional dance in regional costumes, accompanied by strings, drums, and singing (usually by the dancers themselves).
The city's Asty Tokushima arena hosted the official 2007 Asian Basketball Championship.