Kawanishi, Hyōgo


Kawanishi is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture in the northwestern part of the Kansai region of Japan, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by the Inagawa river.
As of August 31, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 159,723 and a population density of 2,948.83 persons per km². The total area is 53.44 km².

History

In the 6th century, the Shofukuji tomb was built.
In the 10th century, Minamoto no Mitsunaka, samurai court official, and grandson of Emperor Seiwa retired to Tada village, now part of Kawanishi. This area became the base of his descendants, Seiwa Genji, which established the Kamakura shogunate. A statue of him can be seen next to Kawanishi-Ikeda Station.
In the 11th century, the Tada silver-and-copper mine started. And in the 17th century it was at its peak.
In 1884, Mitsuya Cider was first made.
In 1913, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station was opened.
Kawanishi was incorporated on August 1, 1954 out of the former Kawanishi Town, Tada Village and Higashitani Village.

Administration

Mayors

Kawanishi Police Station

Neighboring municipalities

Kawanishi is home to many commuters who work in Kobe and Osaka, with express trains running from Osaka to Kawanishi to accommodate these travelers. Though primarily suburban, Kawanishi does have a significant agricultural sector, especially in the northern portions of the city. Major crops include peaches, chestnuts, figs, and charcoal.

Sights

Railways

Kawanishi is serviced by the JR Takarazuka Line and the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Hankyu's Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station is a transfer station to the Nose Railway, which runs primarily within Kawanishi.