Saku, Nagano


Saku is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 99,131 in 41,522 households, and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is.

Geography

Saku is located in east-central Nagano Prefecture in the Saku Basin of the upper reaches of the Shinano River. The city claims the distinction of containing the point furthest from the sea within Honshu island. Since the opening of Sakudaira Station on the Nagano Shinkansen, many people commute to Tokyo, which is one hour away.

Surrounding municipalities

Per Japanese census data, the population of Saku has grown gradually over the past 40 years.

Climate

The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters. The average annual temperature in Saku is 10.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1149 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.1 °C.

History

Saku is located in former Shinano Province, and by the Sengoku period it was home to the Ochiai clan, a samurai family that sided with Uesugi Kenshin during his conflict with Takeda Shingen in the 1550s. The Ochiai clan consequently fought for the Uesugi during the Siege of Katsurayama in March 1557; all Ochiai members who took part in the battle were killed in combat or committed suicide. During the Edo period the area of Saku developed as the castle town of Tatsuoka Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate and as a post town. Following the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Saku District, with the town of Asama, and the village of Higashi merging with the towns of Nozawa and Nakagomi to create the city of Saku. On April 1, 2005 Saku absorbed the town of Usuda, the town of Mochizuki, and the village of Asashina.

Former town of Asama area in Kitasaku District

Saku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members.

Economy

The economy of Saku is largely agricultural, with rice, and carp fish farming as major components. The manufacturing sector includes electronics.

Education

Universities and colleges

Saku has 17 public elementary schools and 7 public middle school operated by the city government, and one private middle school. There are five public high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway