Shimotsuma, Ibaraki
Shimotsuma is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 42,484, and a population density of 236 persons per km². Its total area is 180.06 km².Geography
Shimotsuma is located in western Ibaraki Prefecture. The Kinugawa River flows through the city.Surrounding municipalities
Shimotsuma developed as a castle town from the Muromachi period. It was the center of Shimotsuma Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. The modern town of Shimotsuma was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the municipalities system. It was elevated to city status on January 1, 1955.
On January 1, 2006, the village of Chiyokawa was merged into Shimotsuma.Economy
The economy of Shimotsuma is primarily agricultural.Education
Shimotsuma has ten elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools in addition to one special education school. A Brazilian school Escola Pingo de Gente was formerly located in Shimotsuma. It has since been renamed to Instituto Educare and moved to Tsukuba.Transportation
Railway
The city is the setting of Takemoto Novala's novel Shimotsuma Monogatari, and the manga and film of that name. The movie was filmed on location in Shimotsuma.
