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Coordinates: 36°48′6.8″N 140°45′3.7″E / 36.801889°N 140.751028°E / 36.801889; 140.751028
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{{Refimprove|date=July 2009}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Kitaibaraki
| name = Kitaibaraki
| official_name =
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|北茨城市}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|北茨城市}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
Line 14: Line 13:
| image_flag = Flag of Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki municipal emblem.JPG
| image_seal = Emblem of Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki.svg
| seal_alt =
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| image_shield =
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| image_map = Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture Ja.svg
| image_map = Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Kitaibaraki in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]]
| map_caption = Location of Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| coordinates = {{coord|36|48|6.8|N|140|45|3.7|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| latd=36 | latm=48| lats=6.8 | latNS=N
| longd=140| longm=45| longs=3.7| longEW= E
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_display = inline,title
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
<!-- location -->
| coordinates_region = JP
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ibaraki Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
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| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_title1 =
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<!-- population -->
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 43809
| population_total = 41750
| population_as_of = September 2015
| population_as_of = July 2020
| population_density_km2 = 235
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_as_of =
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| area_code =
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City Symbols
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank1_name_sec1 = - Tree
| blank_info_sec1 = 0293-43-1111
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Pine]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = Isohara 1630, Isohara-chō, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki-ken 319-1592
| blank2_name_sec1 = - Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Rhododendron ponticum]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = - Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Common gull]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = - Fish
| blank4_info_sec1 = [[Goosefish]]
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = 0293-43-1111
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = Isohara 1630, Isohara-chō, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki-ken 319-1592
<!-- website, footnotes -->
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official website|http://www.city.kitaibaraki.lg.jp/ }}
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.kitaibaraki.lg.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Pine]]
| flower = [[Rhododendron ponticum]]
| bird = [[Common gull]]
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish = [[Goosefish]]
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Kitaibaraki'''|北茨城市|Kitaibaraki-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]], in the northern [[Kantō region]] of [[Japan]]. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 43,809 and a [[population density]] of 235 persons per km². Its total area was {{convert|186.80|sqkm|sqmi}}.
[[file:Izura-beach2011.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Izura coast of Kitaibaraki]]
{{Nihongo|'''Kitaibaraki'''|北茨城市|Kitaibaraki-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|07|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 41,750 in 17,034 households and a [[population density]] of 220 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 34.6%.<ref name="Ibaraki-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/kikaku/tokei/fukyu/tokei/sugata/local/kitaibaraki.html |title= Ibaraki prefectural official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|186.80|sqkm|sqmi}}.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Kitaibaraki is located in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, bounded by [[Fukushima Prefecture]] to the north and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east. As its name implies, it is the northernmost city within Ibaraki. Approximately 80% of the total area is mountainous forest. The eastern region is low ground facing the ocean with spacious open flatland along the Okita and Satone Rivers. It is approximately 57 kilometers to the northeast of [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], the prefectural capital.
Kitaibaraki is in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, bounded by [[Fukushima Prefecture]] to the north and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east. As its name implies, it is the northernmost city within Ibaraki. Approximately 80% of the total area is mountainous forest. The eastern region is low ground facing the ocean with spacious open flatland along the Okita and Satone Rivers. It is approximately 57 kilometers to the northeast of [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], the prefectural capital.


==Surrounding municipalities==
===Surrounding municipalities===
* Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
** [[Takahagi, Ibaraki|Takahagi]]
* [[Takahagi, Ibaraki|Takahagi]]
*[[Fukushima Prefecture]]
[[Fukushima Prefecture]]
** [[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]]
* [[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]]
**[[Samegawa, Fukushima|Samegawa]]
*[[Samegawa, Fukushima|Samegawa]]
**[[Hanawa, Fukushima|Hanawa]]
*[[Hanawa, Fukushima|Hanawa]]

===Climate===
Kitaibaraki has a [[Humid continental climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kitaibaraki is 13.0&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1435&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.2&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 2.9&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/ibaraki/kitaibaraki-764705/ Kitaibaraki climate data]</ref>
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Kitaibaraki (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 20.2
|Feb record high C = 22.8
|Mar record high C = 24.8
|Apr record high C = 25.7
|May record high C = 30.3
|Jun record high C = 31.3
|Jul record high C = 33.9
|Aug record high C = 35.7
|Sep record high C = 34.0
|Oct record high C = 32.1
|Nov record high C = 24.4
|Dec record high C = 24.3
|Jan record low C = -9.0
|Feb record low C = -9.3
|Mar record low C = -5.9
|Apr record low C = -3.7
|May record low C = 2.5
|Jun record low C = 6.1
|Jul record low C = 12.3
|Aug record low C = 12.0
|Sep record low C = 9.1
|Oct record low C = 1.7
|Nov record low C = -2.7
|Dec record low C = -7.7
|Jan high C = 8.4
|Feb high C = 8.6
|Mar high C = 11.2
|Apr high C = 15.6
|May high C = 19.4
|Jun high C = 22.1
|Jul high C = 25.7
|Aug high C = 27.4
|Sep high C = 25.0
|Oct high C = 20.4
|Nov high C = 15.7
|Dec high C = 10.9
|Jan mean C = 3.6
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 6.5
|Apr mean C = 11.0
|May mean C = 15.3
|Jun mean C = 18.6
|Jul mean C = 22.1
|Aug mean C = 23.8
|Sep mean C = 21.1
|Oct mean C = 16.2
|Nov mean C = 11.0
|Dec mean C = 6.0
|Jan low C = -1.2
|Feb low C = -1.0
|Mar low C = 1.7
|Apr low C = 6.3
|May low C = 11.3
|Jun low C = 15.5
|Jul low C = 19.4
|Aug low C = 20.9
|Sep low C = 17.9
|Oct low C = 12.3
|Nov low C = 6.2
|Dec low C = 1.2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 50.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 45.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 99.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 128.5
|May precipitation mm = 156.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 158.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 170.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 138.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 183.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 189.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 78.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 48.8
|year precipitation mm = 1435.4
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.7
|Feb precipitation days = 5.1
|Mar precipitation days = 8.8
|Apr precipitation days = 10.1
|May precipitation days = 11.3
|Jun precipitation days = 12.0
|Jul precipitation days = 13.3
|Aug precipitation days = 9.6
|Sep precipitation days = 11.6
|Oct precipitation days = 10.5
|Nov precipitation days = 7.1
|Dec precipitation days = 5.3
|Jan sun = 196.7
|Feb sun = 183.3
|Mar sun = 191.9
|Apr sun = 193.6
|May sun = 191.0
|Jun sun = 141.6
|Jul sun = 150.3
|Aug sun = 181.3
|Sep sun = 140.4
|Oct sun = 143.8
|Nov sun = 156.5
|Dec sun = 179.4
|year sun = 2040.8
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=40&block_no=0315&year=&month=&day=&view=a1
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=40&block_no=0315&year=&month=&day=&view=p1
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 5, 2022}}</ref>}}

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-ibaraki.php Kitaibaraki population statistics]</ref> the population of Kitaibaraki has fluctuated somewhat over the past 70 years.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 38,559
| 1930 | 37,829
| 1940 | 37,718
| 1950 | 55,169
| 1960 | 60,567
| 1970 | 48,323
| 1980 | 47,670
| 1990 | 51,093
| 2000 | 51,593
| 2010 | 47,026
| 2020 | 41,801
|align = none
| footnote =
}}


==History==
==History==
The towns of Otsu and Hiragata and the village of Kitanakago were created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kitanakago became the town of Isohara on January 1, 1925. On March 31, 1956 the towns of Otsu, Hiragata, Isohara and the villages of Sekinan, Sekimonto and Minaminakago merged to form the city of Kitaibaraki.
Under the ''[[ritsuryō]]'' system, the area of Kitaibaraki was the northern tip of the [[Tōkaidō (region)|Tōkaidō region]], and was part of [[Hitachi Province]]. The towns of Otsu and Hirakata and the village of Kitanakago were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The area was part of the Jōban coal fields and coal mines were developed in the early twentieth century. Kitanakago became the town of Isohara on January 1, 1925. On March 31, 1956 the towns of Otsu, Hirakata, Isohara and the villages of Sekinan, Sekimonto and Minaminakago merged to form the city of Kitaibaraki. The city suffered from serious damage caused by the [[tsunami]] from the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake]].<ref>http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/news-toppix0307/8/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316072418/http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/news-toppix0307/8/ |date=2011-03-16 }} Kita Ibaraki</ref>

The city suffered from serious damage caused by the [[tsunami]] from the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake]].<ref>http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/news-toppix0307/8/ Kita Ibaraki</ref>
==Government==
Kitaibaraki has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city council of 19 members. Kitaibaraki, together with neighboring Takahagi, contributes two members to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of [[Ibaraki 5th district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].


==Economy==
==Economy==
Commerce developed during the Edo period along the Tanagura highway, which was also called the 'Road of Salt'. The area flourished with ports for water transportation and coal mining began at the end of the Edo period.
Commerce developed during the [[Edo period]] along the Tanagura highway, which was also called the 'Road of Salt'. The area flourished with ports for water transportation and coal mining began at the end of the Edo period. Kitaibaraki is now a regional commercial center with some light manufacturing. JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Nichia Steel Works, NOK Corporation and Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries have major factories in the city. The Jōban Coal Field, which was the mainstay of the economy from the [[Meiji period]] to the mid-[[Shōwa period]], closed in 1976. [[Commercial fishing]] from Otsu fishing port, notably for [[angler fish]], is also a factor in the local economy.
Kitaibaraki is now a regional commercial center with some light manufacturing. The Joban Coal Field, which was the mainstay of the economy from the [[Meiji period]] to the mid-[[Showa period]], closed in 1976.
[[Commercial fishing]] from Otsu fishing port, notably for [[angler fish]] is also a factor in the local economy.


==Education==
==Education==
Kitaibaraki has 12 elementary schools, five middle schools, and one high school.
Kitaibaraki has 12 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education.


==Transportation==
==Transportation==

===Railway===
===Railway===
*[[JR East]] – [[Jōban Line]]
[[File:JR logo (east).svg|20px]] [[JR East]] – [[Jōban Line]]
* * {{ja-stalink|Minami-Nakagō}} - {{ja-stalink|Isohara}} - {{ja-stalink|Ōtsukō}}.
* {{STN|Minami-Nakagō}} - {{STN|Isohara}} - {{STN|Ōtsukō}}.


===Highway===
===Highway===
* [[Jōban Expressway]] – Kitaibaraki IC, Nakago SA, Sekimoto PA
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E6|dab1=J}} – Kitaibaraki Interchange, Nakago Service Area, Sekimoto Parking Area
* [[Japan National Route 6]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|6}}


==Sister city relations==
==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|NZ}} – [[Wairoa District]], [[New Zealand]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/culture/sister_cities.html|title=Sister Cities & Friendship cities located in the upper half of the North Island|work=Sister cities|publisher=Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland|language=English|accessdate=7 December 2015}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|NZ}} [[Wairoa District]], [[New Zealand]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/culture/sister_cities.html|title=Sister Cities & Friendship cities in the upper half of the North Island|work=Sister cities|publisher=Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland|language=en|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100758/http://www.auckland.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/culture/sister_cities.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Local attractions==
==Local attractions==
* The scenic Istuura coastline is near Otsu fishing port. This area was famous for Rokkaku-do, a six sided red house built by [[Tenshin Okakura]]. The Tenshin Memorial Museum, with regularly updated exhibits, offers visitors a glance at various schools of Japanese art. The sound of the waves of the Itsuura coast are listed as one of the [[100 Soundscapes of Japan]] by the Japanese [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] <ref name="Hundred">{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/air/life/nihon_no_oto/index.html |title=100 Soundscapes of Japan |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |accessdate=18 April 2011}} {{ja}}</ref>
* The scenic Izura coastline is near Otsu fishing port. This area was famous for [[Rokkakudō (Kitaibaraki)|Rokkaku-do]], a six sided red house built by [[Tenshin Okakura]]. The Tenshin Memorial Museum, with regularly updated exhibits, offers visitors a glance at various schools of Japanese art. The sound of the waves of the Izura coast are listed as one of the [[100 Soundscapes of Japan]] by the Japanese [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]]<ref name="Hundred">{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/air/life/nihon_no_oto/index.html |title=100 Soundscapes of Japan |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=18 April 2011|language=ja}}</ref>
* Ujō Noguchi Memorial Museum
* Ujō Noguchi Memorial Museum


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== Notable people from Kitaibaraki ==
== Notable people from Kitaibaraki ==
*[[Ujō Noguchi]] – poet, songwriter
*[[Ujō Noguchi]], poet, songwriter
*[[Atsuko Kurusu]] – actress
*[[Atsuko Kurusu]], actress
*[[Takehito Kanazawa]] – professional baseball player
*[[Takehito Kanazawa]], professional baseball player


==References==
==References==
Line 176: Line 305:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.city.kitaibaraki.lg.jp/}} {{jp icon}}
*[http://www.city.kitaibaraki.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}


{{Ibaraki}}
{{Ibaraki}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Cities in Ibaraki Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Ibaraki Prefecture]]
[[Category:Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]

Latest revision as of 15:11, 7 September 2024

Kitaibaraki
北茨城市
City
Kitaibaraki city hall
Kitaibaraki city hall
Flag of Kitaibaraki
Flag
Official seal of Kitaibaraki
Seal
Location of Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture
Location of Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture
Kitaibaraki is located in Japan
Kitaibaraki
Kitaibaraki
 
Coordinates: 36°48′6.8″N 140°45′3.7″E / 36.801889°N 140.751028°E / 36.801889; 140.751028
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureIbaraki
Area
 • Total186.80 km2 (72.12 sq mi)
Population
 (July 2020)
 • Total41,750
 • Density220/km2 (580/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0293-43-1111
AddressIsohara 1630, Isohara-chō, Kitaibaraki-shi, Ibaraki-ken 319-1592
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdCommon gull
FishGoosefish
FlowerRhododendron ponticum
TreePine
Izura coast of Kitaibaraki

Kitaibaraki (北茨城市, Kitaibaraki-shi) is a city in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2020, the city had an estimated population of 41,750 in 17,034 households and a population density of 220 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 34.6%.[1] The total area of the city is 186.80 square kilometres (72.12 sq mi).

Geography

[edit]

Kitaibaraki is in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, bounded by Fukushima Prefecture to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the east. As its name implies, it is the northernmost city within Ibaraki. Approximately 80% of the total area is mountainous forest. The eastern region is low ground facing the ocean with spacious open flatland along the Okita and Satone Rivers. It is approximately 57 kilometers to the northeast of Mito, the prefectural capital.

Surrounding municipalities

[edit]

Ibaraki Prefecture

Fukushima Prefecture

Climate

[edit]

Kitaibaraki has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kitaibaraki is 13.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1435 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.9 °C.[2]

Climate data for Kitaibaraki (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.2
(68.4) 		22.8
(73.0) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.7
(78.3) 		30.3
(86.5) 		31.3
(88.3) 		33.9
(93.0) 		35.7
(96.3) 		34.0
(93.2) 		32.1
(89.8) 		24.4
(75.9) 		24.3
(75.7) 		35.7
(96.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.4
(47.1) 		8.6
(47.5) 		11.2
(52.2) 		15.6
(60.1) 		19.4
(66.9) 		22.1
(71.8) 		25.7
(78.3) 		27.4
(81.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		20.4
(68.7) 		15.7
(60.3) 		10.9
(51.6) 		17.5
(63.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.6
(38.5) 		3.8
(38.8) 		6.5
(43.7) 		11.0
(51.8) 		15.3
(59.5) 		18.6
(65.5) 		22.1
(71.8) 		23.8
(74.8) 		21.1
(70.0) 		16.2
(61.2) 		11.0
(51.8) 		6.0
(42.8) 		13.3
(55.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −1.2
(29.8) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		1.7
(35.1) 		6.3
(43.3) 		11.3
(52.3) 		15.5
(59.9) 		19.4
(66.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		17.9
(64.2) 		12.3
(54.1) 		6.2
(43.2) 		1.2
(34.2) 		9.2
(48.6)
Record low °C (°F) −9.0
(15.8) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−5.9
(21.4) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		2.5
(36.5) 		6.1
(43.0) 		12.3
(54.1) 		12.0
(53.6) 		9.1
(48.4) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		−7.7
(18.1) 		−9.3
(15.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 50.0
(1.97) 		45.9
(1.81) 		99.9
(3.93) 		128.5
(5.06) 		156.1
(6.15) 		158.0
(6.22) 		170.4
(6.71) 		138.1
(5.44) 		183.2
(7.21) 		189.5
(7.46) 		78.7
(3.10) 		48.8
(1.92) 		1,435.4
(56.51)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.7 5.1 8.8 10.1 11.3 12.0 13.3 9.6 11.6 10.5 7.1 5.3 109.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 196.7 183.3 191.9 193.6 191.0 141.6 150.3 181.3 140.4 143.8 156.5 179.4 2,040.8
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][4]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Kitaibaraki has fluctuated somewhat over the past 70 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 38,559—    
1930 37,829−1.9%
1940 37,718−0.3%
1950 55,169+46.3%
1960 60,567+9.8%
1970 48,323−20.2%
1980 47,670−1.4%
1990 51,093+7.2%
2000 51,593+1.0%
2010 47,026−8.9%
2020 41,801−11.1%

History

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Under the ritsuryō system, the area of Kitaibaraki was the northern tip of the Tōkaidō region, and was part of Hitachi Province. The towns of Otsu and Hirakata and the village of Kitanakago were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The area was part of the Jōban coal fields and coal mines were developed in the early twentieth century. Kitanakago became the town of Isohara on January 1, 1925. On March 31, 1956 the towns of Otsu, Hirakata, Isohara and the villages of Sekinan, Sekimonto and Minaminakago merged to form the city of Kitaibaraki. The city suffered from serious damage caused by the tsunami from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.[6]

Government

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Kitaibaraki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 19 members. Kitaibaraki, together with neighboring Takahagi, contributes two members to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Commerce developed during the Edo period along the Tanagura highway, which was also called the 'Road of Salt'. The area flourished with ports for water transportation and coal mining began at the end of the Edo period. Kitaibaraki is now a regional commercial center with some light manufacturing. JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Nichia Steel Works, NOK Corporation and Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries have major factories in the city. The Jōban Coal Field, which was the mainstay of the economy from the Meiji period to the mid-Shōwa period, closed in 1976. Commercial fishing from Otsu fishing port, notably for angler fish, is also a factor in the local economy.

Education

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Kitaibaraki has 12 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

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Railway

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JR East – Jōban Line

Highway

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Sister cities

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Local attractions

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  • The scenic Izura coastline is near Otsu fishing port. This area was famous for Rokkaku-do, a six sided red house built by Tenshin Okakura. The Tenshin Memorial Museum, with regularly updated exhibits, offers visitors a glance at various schools of Japanese art. The sound of the waves of the Izura coast are listed as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment[8]
  • Ujō Noguchi Memorial Museum

Festivals

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  • The Sasara of Hanazono Shrine is a Shishi Mai (ritual dance with a lion's mask) with a 900 year-tradition. This dance can be seen yearly on May 5 at the Hanazono Shrine.
  • The Ofuna-Matsuri, the seafarer's festival, is held only once every five years. The first weekend in May, the festival is a prayer for large fish catches and protection from the clutches of the sea. A decorated ship is pulled by the seamen through the town toward a Shinto shrine. It was last held in 2014.
  • August 16 is the last day of Obon (festival of the dead). On this day around 6 AM, families celebrating Obon gather at Otsu Port for Bonbune Nagashi. Miniature fishing boats laden with vegetables are paraded in the port, and afterwards lanterns are let out to see in order to guide home the spirits of the dead.
  • The Kitaibaraki Citizen's Festival is held yearly on the last Saturday of August. There is a dance contest and fireworks.
  • The 'Ujo no Sato Minato Matsuri' (port festival) is held in the beginning of November at Otsu Port. There are various cultural exhibits along with food and game stalls. There is also a demonstration of how to carve an angler fish.

Notable people from Kitaibaraki

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References

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  1. ^ "Ibaraki prefectural official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Kitaibaraki climate data
  3. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Kitaibaraki population statistics
  6. ^ http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/news-toppix0307/8/ Archived 2011-03-16 at the Wayback Machine Kita Ibaraki
  7. ^ "Sister Cities & Friendship cities in the upper half of the North Island". Sister cities. Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  8. ^ "100 Soundscapes of Japan" (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
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