Itako, Ibaraki

Itako (潮来市, Itako-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2020, the city had an estimated population of 27,577 in 10,849 households and a population density of 386 persons per km². The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 32.9%.[1] The total area of the city is 71.40 square kilometres (27.57 sq mi). It is known for its annual iris festival (Itako Ayame Matsuri). Much of the city is within the borders of the Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.

Itako
潮来市
City
Maekawa Iris Park
Maekawa Iris Park
Flag of Itako
Flag
Official seal of Itako
Seal
Location of Itako in Ibaraki Prefecture
Location of Itako in Ibaraki Prefecture
Itako is located in Japan
Itako
Itako
 
Coordinates: 35°56′49.7″N 140°33′19.3″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureIbaraki
Area
 • Total71.40 km2 (27.57 sq mi)
Population
 (October 2020)
 • Total27,512
 • Density390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreePopulus
• FlowerIris
• BirdGreat reed warbler
Phone number0299-23-1111
Address626 Tsuji, Itako-shi, Ibaraki-ken 311-2493
WebsiteOfficial website
Itako city hall

Geography

Itako is located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by Chiba Prefecture to the south, and sandwiched between Lake Kasumigaura to the west and Lake Kitaura to the east. The Tone River also flows through the city, which has been noted since the Edo period for its network of canals. The city is approximately 80 kilometers north of Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

Ibaraki Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture

Climate

Itako has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Itako is 14.5 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1455 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.3 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Itako peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 17,385—    
1930 18,453+6.1%
1940 20,007+8.4%
1950 25,516+27.5%
1960 24,467−4.1%
1970 25,005+2.2%
1980 29,075+16.3%
1990 30,863+6.1%
2000 31,944+3.5%
2010 30,534−4.4%
2020 27,604−9.6%

History

The town of Itako was established within Namegata District with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Itako merged with the neighboring villages of Tsuwa, Nobukata and Ouhara on February 11, 1955. It was raised to city status on April 1, 2001, by absorbing the town of Ushibori.[4]

Government

Itako has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Itako contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
Sake barrel in Itako
  • Aiyu Sake Brewery (愛友酒造) has been producing sake since 1804.[5]

Education

Itako has six public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

JR East – Kashima Line

Bus

Highway

Local attractions
  • Suigo Itako Iris Gardens
  • Junikyo Bridges
  • Kongenyama park
  • Nihonmatsu-dera Buddhist temple
  • Inariyama Park
  • Chōshō-ji Buddhist temple
  • Suigo Hokusai Park
  • Road Station Itako
  • Suigo Dragonfly Park

Notable people from Itako

References
  1. "Ibaraki prefectural official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. Itako climate data
  3. Itako population statistics
  4. 潮来市の沿革. Itako official website (in Japanese). Itako City. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  5. "Sake Enjoyed with Friends". chopsticksny.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.

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