Shiojiri, Nagano

Shiojiri (塩尻市, Shiojiri-shi) is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2019, the city had an estimated population of 67,240 in 27,602 households,[1] and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is 289.98 square kilometres (111.96 sq mi).

Shiojiri

塩尻市
City
Shioziri Pass, Nakasendo Narai-juku
Kiso-Hirasawa, Narai River
Route 153 Utou Pass, Tirol-no-mori
Shiojiri Station, Raisin Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Shiojiri in Nagano Prefecture
Shiojiri
 
Coordinates: 36°6′53.9″N 137°57′12.4″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
PrefectureNagano
Government
 • MayorToshiyuki Oguchi
Area
 • Total289.98 km2 (111.96 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2019)
 • Total67,240
 • Density230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeTaxus cuspidata
• FlowerChinese bellflower
Phone number0263-52-0280
Address3-3 Daimon Nanabanmachi, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano-ken 399-0786
WebsiteOfficial website
Shiojiri City Hall
Lake Midoriko near Shiojiri Pass

Geography

Shiojiri is located in central Nagano Prefecture, in the southern end of the Matsumoto Basin.

Surrounding municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Shiojiri has grown gradually over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 37,585—    
1950 47,357+26.0%
1960 43,783−7.5%
1970 47,113+7.6%
1980 57,417+21.9%
1990 61,420+7.0%
2000 67,747+10.3%
2010 67,638−0.2%

Climate

The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Shiojiri is 11.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1161 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.1 °C.[3]

History

Shiojiri is located in former Shinano Province, and as its name implies, was traditionally a centre for salt production. During the Edo period, Narai-juku, Shiojiri-shuku and Seba-juku developed as post stations on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. The village of Shiojiri was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1927. Shiojiri annexed the villages of Kataoka, Hirooka, Souga and Chikumazi on April 1, 1959 and was elevated to city status. Shiojiki lost Kitauchida hamlet and Gakenoyu hamlet (both in Kataoka ward) in 1960 and 1961 to Matsumoto city due to border adjustments. On June 28, 1961, Shiojiri absorbed the village of Seba and the village of Narakawa on April 1, 2005.

Government

Shiojiri has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Economy

The economy of Shiojiri is largely agricultural, with grapes, apples, pears, and wine production as major components. The manufacturing sector includes precision instrumentation.[4]

Education

Shiojiri has nine public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public elementary school and one public middle school shared with neighbouring Tatsuno. The city also has two public high schools operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education, and one private high school. The Matsumoto Dental University is also located in Shiojiri.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Sister cities

Within Japan

Overseas

Local attractions

Shiojiri is the location of the Hiraide ruins, one of the three largest ancient ruins in Japan. Artifacts from the Jōmon period through the Heian period have been discovered there, as well as the remains of 47 ancient dwellings.

References
  1. Shiojiri City official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. Shiojiri population statistics
  3. Shiojiri climate data
  4. Campbell, Allen; Nobel, David S (1993). Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. p. 1392. ISBN 406205938X.
  5. Shiojiri Niwa, City of Mishawaka
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