Kizugawa, Kyoto

Kizugawa (木津川市, Kizugawa-shi) is a city located in southern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.[1] As of 1 September 2023, the city has an estimated population of 79,866 in 33183 households and a population density of 940 persons per km².[2] The total area of the city is 85.12 square kilometres (32.87 sq mi).

Kizugawa
木津川市
From upper left, clockwise: Kaijyūsen-ji, The Kids' ScienceMuseum of Photons, Fukujyuen Cha Research Center, Æon Mall Takanohara, Kuni-kyō Ruins, Kizu River
From upper left, clockwise: Kaijyūsen-ji, The Kids' Science
Museum of Photons, Fukujyuen Cha Research Center, Æon Mall Takanohara, Kuni-kyō Ruins, Kizu River
Flag of Kizugawa
Official seal of Kizugawa
Location of Kizugawa in Kyoto Prefecture
Location of Kizugawa
Kizugawa is located in Japan
Kizugawa
Kizugawa
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°44′14″N 135°49′12″E
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
PrefectureKyoto
Government
  MayorNoriko Kawai
Area
  Total85.13 km2 (32.87 sq mi)
Population
 (August 1, 2023)
  Total79,866
  Density940/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall addressKizu Minami-gaito 110-9, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto-fu
619-0286
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerCosmos
TreeCherry blossom
Aerial photograph of center area in 2021
Joruri-ji

Geography

Kizugawa City is located on the southern border of Kyoto Prefecture. The city consists of a plain area formed along the curving Kizugawa River in the western part of the city area, gentle hills that form the edge of the plain, and mountains to the north and southeast. In addition, the eastern part of the Kamo district is dotted with enclaves of Kasagi Town. It is located approximately 30 to 40 km from the centers of Kyoto City and Osaka City, and approximately 8 km from the center of Nara City.

Neighboring municipalities

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto Prefecture
Nara Prefecture Nara Prefecture

Climate

Kizugawa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kizugawa is 14.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1356 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 32.8 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Kizugawa has grown in recent decades. In a population estimate released by the Japan Policy Council, Kizugawa City is the only municipality in Kyoto Prefecture predicted to have a positive population growth rate by 2040.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 23,858    
1950 29,176+22.3%
1960 28,349−2.8%
1970 28,007−1.2%
1980 34,431+22.9%
1990 49,532+43.9%
2000 58,809+18.7%
2010 69,768+18.6%
2020 77,907+11.7%

History

The area of Kizukawa was part of ancient Yamashiro Province. During the Nara period, it prospered as a port for transporting lumber as part of the construction of capital cities such as Heijō-kyō. Kuni-kyō, was the capital city of Japan between 740 and 744 under Emperor Shōmu was located in what is now the Kamo neighborhood of Kizukawa.

The village of Kizukawa in Sōraku District, Kyoto were established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on November 22, 1893, and was elevated to city status on March 12, 2007, after merging with the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro (all from Sōraku District).

Government

Kizugawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Kizugawa, collectively with the municipalities of Sōraku District contributes two members to the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kyoto 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Kizugawa is a part of the Kansai Science City project and houses research facilities of over 20 enterprises and research facilities including: including Rohto Pharmaceutical and Omron.

  • Rohto Pharmaceutical (ロート製薬)
  • Omron (オムロン)
  • Sekisui House (積水ハウス)
  • Fukujyuen (福寿園)
  • Ataka Daiki Engineering (アタカ大機)
  • Tatsuta Electric Wire Cable Co. (タツタ電線)
  • M-system (エム・システム)
  • Manyo Tools (マンヨーツール)
  • Mizuho Co. (株式会社ミズホ)
  • Solno Leaves Co. (ソルノリーブス)
  • Kyoto Press Industrial Co. (京都プレス工業)

Other public and private research organizations in Kizugawa City include:

  • International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS, 国際高等研究所)
  • Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE, 地球環境産業技術研究機構)
  • Japan Atomic Energy Agency Kansai Photochemistry Research Center (日本原子力研究開発機構 関西光化学研究所)

Education

Kizugawa has 13 public elementary schools and five public junior high schools operated by city government and two public high schools operated by the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private elementary school and one private junior high school. Doshisha University's Gakkentoshi Campus, which focuses on graduate studies in biomedicine, and Doshisha International School, Kyoto (DISK) are also located in Kizugawa.

High schools

  • Nanyō High School
  • Kizu High School

Junior high schools

  • Kizu Junior High School
  • Kizu Daini Junior High School
  • Kizu Minami Junior High School
  • Izumigawa Junior High School
  • Yamashiro Junior High School

Elementary schools

  • Kizu Elementary School
  • Saganaka Elementary School
  • Takanohara Elementary School
  • Kizugawadai Elementary School
  • Saganakadai Elementary School
  • Umemidai Elementary School
  • Kunimidai Elementary School
  • Shiroyamadai Elementary School
  • Kamo Elementary School
  • Kuni Elementary School
  • Minami Kamodai Elementary School
  • Kamikoma Elementary School
  • Tanakura Elementary School
  • Doshisha International Academy Elementary School

Transportation

Railways

JR West - Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line)

JR West - Katamachi Line (Gakkentoshi Line)

JR West - Nara Line

- Kintetsu Railway Kyoto Line

Highways

Sister city relations

Local attractions

Kizugawa City is the home of several famous temples including:

Other attractions include:

  • Kuni-kyō Ruins
  • Yamashiro Kokubun-ji ruins
  • The Kids' Science Museum of Photons (きっづ光科学館ふぉとん)
  • Yamashiro Local History Museum (ふるさとミュージアム山城)
  • Tono Stone Buddha Path(当尾石仏の里)

Notable people from Kizugawa

References

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