Oyama, Tochigi


Oyama is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of May 2015, the city had an estimated population of 165,852, and a population density of 966 persons per km2. Its total area is 171.76 km2. In 2006, Oyama became the second most populous city in Tochigi Prefecture, with the capital Utsunomiya retaining the number one spot.

Geography

Oyama is located in the far southeastern corner Tochigi Prefecture, bordered by Ibaraki Prefecture to the south and east. The Omoigawa, a branch of the Watarase River flows through the center of the city.

Surrounding municipalities

Oyama-shuku was a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō connecting Edo with the shrines at Nikkō, and was controlled by Utsunomiya Domain during the Edo period. Oyama town was established within Shimotsuga District, Tochigi with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Oyama merged with the neighboring village of Otani on March 31, 1954 and was elevated to city status. On April 18, 1963, Oyama annexed the town of Mamada and village of Mita, both from Shimotsuga District. This was followed by the town of Kuwakinu on September 30, 1965.

Economy

Oyama is a regional commercial center with a mixed economy. In agriculture, cultivation of rice, kanpyō and sericulture are important. The yuru-chara for Oyama is Kapyomaru (かぴょ丸, an anthropomorphized calabash of the type used for kanpyō. One of the major employers in the city is Komatsu making iron castings, diesel engines, fork lift trucks and other hydraulic equipment.

Education

It also has a North Korean school, Tochigi Korean Elementary and Junior High School.

Transportation

Railway

External relations