Kasumigaura (かすみがうら市,Kasumigaura-shi) is acity located inIbaraki Prefecture,Japan. As of 1 July 2020[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 40,254 in 15,839 households and apopulation density of 257 persons per km². The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 32.0%.[1] The total area of the city is 156.60 square kilometres (60.46 sq mi). . The city takes its name from the nearby lake,Lake Kasumigaura. The city has the distinction of having the longest name in Japan (in terms of the number of characters used), together withIchikikushikino,Kagoshima Prefecture andTsukubamirai. Much of the city is within the borders of theSuigō-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.
Kasumigaura かすみがうら市 | |
---|---|
![]() Kasumigaura city hall | |
![]() Location of Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture | |
Coordinates:36°9′6.3″N140°14′13.6″E / 36.151750°N 140.237111°E /36.151750; 140.237111 | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kantō |
Prefecture | Ibaraki |
Government | |
• Mayor | Toru Tsuboi (since July 2014) |
Area | |
• Total | 156.60 km2 (60.46 sq mi) |
Population (October 2020) | |
• Total | 40,254 |
• Density | 260/km2 (670/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
- Tree | Japanese Chestnut |
- Flower | Hydrangea |
- Bird | Japanese bush warbler |
Phone number | 0299-59-2111 |
Address | 461 Kamitsuchida, Kasumigaura-shi, Ibaraki-ken 315-8512 |
Website | Official website |

Geography
editKasumigaura is located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, on a peninsula bordered by LakeKasumigaura on two sides to the southeast and southwest. It is approximately 60 kilometers to the northeast of Tokyo.
Surrounding municipalities
editIbaraki Prefecture
Climate
editKasumigaura has ahumid continental climate (KöppenCfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kasumigaura is 13.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1311 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.7 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[3] the population of Kasumigaura peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1920 | 23,483 | — |
1930 | 24,689 | +5.1% |
1940 | 25,842 | +4.7% |
1950 | 32,153 | +24.4% |
1960 | 29,976 | −6.8% |
1970 | 30,262 | +1.0% |
1980 | 38,797 | +28.2% |
1990 | 43,013 | +10.9% |
2000 | 45,229 | +5.2% |
2010 | 43,553 | −3.7% |
2020 | 40,087 | −8.0% |
History
editThe village of Dejima was established within Niihari District on February 11, 1955 through the merger of the villages of Shimootsu, Minami, Ushiwata, Saga, Anshoku and Shishiko. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1997 and was renamed Kasumigaura. The town of Kasumigaura merged with the neighboring town of Chiyoda on March 28, 2005, becoming the city of Kasumigaura.
Government
editKasumigaura has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city council of 16 members. Kasumigaura contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part ofIbaraki 6th district of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Economy
editKasumigaura has primarily an agricultural economy, withlotus roots, and various fruits as the major cash crops. Aquaculture on Lake Kasumigaura also plays a role.
Education
editKasumigaura has eight public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government. The city does have a public high school, but it has one private combined elementary/middle school and one private high school.
Transportation
editRailway
edit- Kasumigaura does not have any passenger railway service. The nearest train station isKandatsu on theJR EastJōban Line in neighboring Tsuchiura.
Highway
edit- Jōban Expressway – Chiyoda-Ishioka Interchange
- National Route 6
- National Route 354
Local attractions
editNotable people from Kasumigaura
edit- Katsuhiko Saka, professional baseball player
References
editExternal links
edit- Official website(in Japanese)