Minamiashigara, Kanagawa

Minamiashigara (南足柄市, Minamiashigara-shi) is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Minamiashigara

南足柄市
City
Minamiashigara City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Minamiashigara in Kanagawa Prefecture
Minamiashigara
 
Coordinates: 35°19′N 139°06′E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureKanagawa Prefecture
Area
 • Total77.12 km2 (29.78 sq mi)
Population
 (April 1, 2017)
 • Total42,641
 • Density550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeCamellia sasanqua
- FlowerJapanese gentian
AddressSekimoto 440-banchi, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa-ken
250-0192
Websitehttp://www.city.minamiashigara.kanagawa.jp/

As of April 1, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 42,641, and population density of 550 persons per km².[1] The total area is 77.12 km².[2]


Geography

Minamiashigara is located in the mountainous west of Kanagawa Prefecture, with most of the city located within either the Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park or the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Surrounding Municipalities

Kanagawa Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture

History

The area that is now known as Minamiashigara was under control of the later Hōjō clan in the Sengoku period, and part of Odawara Domain during the Edo period.

After the Meiji Restoration, casastral reforms created Minamiashigara, Fukusawa, Okamoto and Kitaashigara villages within Ashigarakami District, Kanagawa Prefecture. The development of the area was spurred by the opening of the Oyama Mountain Railway (present-day Izuhakone Railway Daiyūzan Line) on October 15, 1925. Minamiashigara was elevated in status to that of a town on April 1, 1940, and annexed neighboring Fukusawa, Okamoto and Kitaashigara villages in 1955. It was elevated to city status on April 1, 1972.

Economy

The economy of Minamiashigara is based on forestry and agriculture (primarily green tea and mikan). Fujifilm and Asahi Breweries have factories in Minamiashigara to make use of its abundant fresh water.

Transportation

Railway

Bus

Road
  • Kanagawa Prefectural Route 74
  • Kanagawa Prefectural Route 78

Sister City relations

Local attractions
  • Saijoji Temple, many temples and shrines located in an old growth cedar forest.
  • Maruta no Mori: a park with hiking trails and camp grounds.
  • Niju Isseki no Mori (21st Century Forest), a park with hiking trails throughout.
  • Yuhi no Taki (Fall), located in Jizodo.
  • Ashigara Pass

Noted people from Minamiashigara

References
  1. "Statistics of Minamiashigara City" (in Japanese). Japan: Minamiashigara City. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. "Profile of Minamiashigara City" (in Japanese). Japan: Minamiashigara City. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
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