Tochigi, Tochigi


Tochigi is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of May 2015, the city had an estimated population of 159,648, and a population density of 482 persons per km². Its total area is. Because the city escaped war damage during World War II, many historical temples, traditional shops and kura remain in the city center. The city was awarded the prize from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2009.

Geography

Tochigi is located in the very southern portion of Tochigi Prefecture, bordering on Ibaraki Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture to the southwest. In the southern part of the city the Yanaka Reservoir, which is in the Watarase flood control area, is used for sailboating and windsurfing. It was designated a Ramsar Site in June 2012.

Surrounding municipalities

In the Edo period, Tochigi prospered from its location on the Uzumagawa River, which connected with the Tone River to Edo. Envoys using the Reiheishi Way sent from the Imperial Court going to Shrines and Temples of Nikkō stayed at the lodging area in the city. Most of the area was formerly tenryō territory controlled directly by the Tokugawa shogunate; however, the minor feudal domain of Fukiake Domain was located within the borders of modern city of Tochigi.
Following the Meiji Restoration and the creation of Tochigi Prefecture, Tochigi Town was the prefectural capital from 1871 until its relocation to Utsunomiya in 1884. On April 1, 1937, Tochigi was elevated to city status.
On September 30, 1954, Tochigi absorbed the villages of Ōmiya, Minagawa, Fukiage and Terao. This was followed by the village of Kōō on March 31, 1957.
Tochigi hosted its first film festival, the Kuranomachikado, or, "Eizo Film Festival" from October 5, 2007, to October 8, 2007.
On March 29, 2010, Tochigi absorbed the towns of Fujioka, Ōhira and Tsuga. This was followed by the town of Nishikata on October 1, 2011, and the town of Iwafune on April 5, 2014.

Economy

Tochigi city is a regional commercial center, and has a mixed local economy. Food processing, automotive parts and light manufacturing dominated the industrial sector. Isuzu has maintained a factory since 1961. In 2010, the city ranked first in the number of farming families in the prefecture.

Education

Railway