Chikuma 千曲市 | |
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 View of downtown Chikuma and Togura-Kamiyamada Spa | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Chikuma in Nagano Prefecture | |
  Chikuma | |
| Coordinates:36°32′2″N138°7′11.9″E / 36.53389°N 138.119972°E /36.53389; 138.119972 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu) |
| Prefecture | Nagano |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Shuichi Ogawa (since November 2020)[1] |
| • Vice-Mayor | Yasuhiko Ouchi (since July 2011)[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 119.79 km2 (46.25 sq mi) |
| Population (March 2023) | |
• Total | 58,124 |
| • Density | 485.22/km2 (1,256.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Symbols | |
| • Tree | Siberian apricot |
| • Flower | Shibateranthis pinnatifida |
| Phone number | 026-273-1111 |
| Address | 84 Kuiseke, Chikuma-shi, Nagano-ken 387-8511 |
| Website | Official website |
Chikuma (千曲市,Chikuma-shi) is acity located inNagano Prefecture,Japan. As of 1 March 2023[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 58,124 in 22,407 households,[3] and apopulation density of 490 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,300/sq mi). The total area of the city was 119.79 square kilometers (46.25 sq mi).
Chikuma is located in theChikuma River valley, south ofNagano city, at the junction of theJoshin-etsu Expressway and theNagano Expressway.
The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classificationDfb). The average annual temperature in Chikuma is 9.2 °C (48.6 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,605 mm (63.2 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22 °C (72 °F), and lowest in January, at around −4 °C (25 °F).[4]
Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Chikuma peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 44,066 | — |
| 1950 | 57,213 | +29.8% |
| 1960 | 53,972 | −5.7% |
| 1970 | 54,870 | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 60,106 | +9.5% |
| 1990 | 61,954 | +3.1% |
| 2000 | 64,549 | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 62,082 | −3.8% |
| 2020 | 58,852 | −5.2% |
The area of present-day Chikuma was part of ancientShinano Province and has been settled since prehistoric times. There are numerousburial tumuli in the city, including theMori Shogunzukakofun, a mountaintop keyhole-shaped tomb dating from near the end of theKofun period, which is one of the latest of its type in eastern Japan. During theNara period, the area around the Shinano River was the settling for numerous poems in theMan'yōshū. The area was part of the holdings ofMatsushiro Domain during theEdo period, and also prospered from a series ofpost stations on the pilgrimage route to the famedZenkō-ji temple. The modern city of Chikuma was founded on September 1, 2003 by the merger of the former city ofKoshoku, the town ofKamiyamada (fromSarashina District), and the town ofTogura (fromHanishina District).
Chikuma has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city legislature of 24 members.
Chikuma is known for its production of knitted goods, food processing and light machinery manufacturing. Horticulture, especially that ofapricots forms an important sector of the local economy.
Chikuma has nine public elementary schools and four public middle schools. The city has one public high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education, and one combined public middle/high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school.
Koshoku [ja] (更埴) is the largest of the three municipalities that were joined to form the current Chikuma city. Spanning the Chikuma River and bordering Nagano city to the south, it entends from the apricot fields of Anzu no Sato in the east to the highland areaHijiri Kogen in the west. Koshoku's history dates back to theKofun Period, and several major archaeological sites remain. Later, in the Meiji Period, the inns located in Inariyama became a popular stopover for pilgrims en route to Zenkō-ji.
Kamiyamada [ja] (上山田) lies on the western bank of the Chikuma River, just north of the town of Sakaki. A popular hot spring village dating back to the 19th century, the town was one of many places of lodging on the pilgrimage route to Zenkō-ji.
Togura [ja] (戸倉) lies on the east bank of theChikuma River, across from Kamiyamada Onsen. With a history similar to that of Kamiyamada, it contains some hot spring bath facilities as well as the area's only railway station.
Media related toChikuma, Nagano at Wikimedia Commons
Chikuma travel guide from Wikivoyage(in Japanese)| Core cities | |
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