Ashikaga, Tochigi

Ashikaga
足利市
City
From top, Ashikaga School, Ashikaga Flower Park, View of Downtown Ashikaga and Watarase River, Banna-ji, Ashikaga Municipal Art Museum, Soun Art Museum, Kurita Art Museum

Flag
Emblem

Location of Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture
Ashikaga
 
Coordinates: 36°20′24.6″N 139°26′59″E / 36.340167°N 139.44972°E / 36.340167; 139.44972Coordinates: 36°20′24.6″N 139°26′59″E / 36.340167°N 139.44972°E / 36.340167; 139.44972
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture
Area
 • Total 177.76 km2 (68.63 sq mi)
Population (May 2015)
 • Total 149,711
 • Density 842/km2 (2,180/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Maple
- Flower Azalea
Phone number 0284-20-2222
Address 3-2145 Honjo,Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi-ken 326-8601
Website http://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/
Ashikaga City Hall

Ashikaga (足利市, Ashikaga-shi) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of May 2015, the city had an estimated population of 149,711, and a population density of 842 persons per km². Its total area is 177.76 km².

Geography

Ashikaga is located in the far southwestern corner of Tochigi Prefecture, bordering on Gunma Prefecture to the north, west and south. The Watarase River flows through the center of the city. It is located approximately 80 km north of Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

History

Ashikaga from Nearby Mountain

During the Heian Period, Ashikaga was developed by Minamoto no Yoshikuni, whose descendants later became the Ashikaga clan. The area was noted from this period for its academy, the Ashikaga Gakkō. During the Edo period, it was the center of Ashikaga Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the town of Ashikaga within Ashikaga District, Tochigi was established with the creation of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was elevated to city status on January 1, 1921. Ashikaga annexed the neighboring village of Keno on March 3, 1951 and the town of Yamabe on April 1, 1953. This was followed on August 1, 1954 by the villages of Mie and Yamamae, and on November 1, 1954 by the villages of Kitago and Nagusa. On April 1, 1959, Ashikaga annexed the village of Tomita, and the northern half of the village of Yabagawa on July 1, 1960. On October 1, 1962, Ashikaga annexed the towns of Mikuriya and Sakanishi. Ashikaga District was dissolved by this final merger.

Economy

Ashikaga has long been noted for its textile industry, but in recent years, it has also become known as an industrial and commercial city producing various aluminum, machine metal works and products. In the agricultural sector, Ashikaga is noted for its tomatoes.

Education

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Local attractions

Ashikaga Gakko's main gate
Ashikaga Banna-ji
  • Ashikaga Gakkō (足利学校): referred to as the oldest school in Japan.
  • Ashikaga Flower Park (足利フラワーパーク): Japan's oldest and largest wisteria.
  • Orihime Shrine(織姫神社): This shrine was built in 1879,the guardians of the textile city, Ashikaga.
  • Bannaji Temple(鑁阿寺): A temple known for its association with the Ashikaga clan.
  • Kurita Museum (栗田美術館): This museum has a fine collection of Imari and Nabeshima porcelains.
  • Watarase River Fireworks display, which takes places on the first Saturday of August attracts thousands of people from around the Kantō area.
  • Coco Farm & Winery, located in the foothills on the outskirts of town. Founded around 1950, the vineyards are tended by adults with special needs and staff members living in community. During the third weekend of November, a harvest festival is held with live music and wine tasting. Thousands of visitors attend every year.

Sister city relations

Noted people

See also

  • Asteroid 9887 Ashikaga, named after the city

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ashikaga City official home page

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