Iwaki いわき
—  Core city  —
いわき市 · Iwaki City
Taira Tanabata Festival, one of famous for tanabata festival in Japan
Flag
Location of Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture
Iwaki
Coordinates: 37°2′N 140°53′E / 37.033°N 140.883°E / 37.033; 140.883Coordinates: 37°2′N 140°53′E / 37.033°N 140.883°E / 37.033; 140.883
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Fukushima prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Takao Watanabe (since September 2009)
Area
• Total	1,231.35 km2 (475.43 sq mi)
Population (May 1, 2011)
• Total	337,288
• Density	270/km2 (710/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Japanese Black Pine
- Flower	Azalea
- Bird	Seagull
Phone number	024-622-1111
Address	21 Umemoto, Taira 970-8686
Website	www.city.iwaki.fukushima.jp

Iwaki (いわき市, Iwaki-shi^?) is a city located in the southern part of the Hamadōri coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

A designated "core city", Iwaki is also one of the growing number of hiragana cities. Its area is 1,231.35 km²^[1], making it the 10th largest city in Japan (2010). Its estimated population as of May 2011 is 337,288.^[2]

The present "Iwaki City" started as the merger of 14 municipalities on October 1, 1966. The city was the third hiragana city, following Chino, Nagano and Mutsu, Aomori. The area was the largest in Japan at the time. The city works as an industrial hub of Tōhoku region, and is rich in sightseeing resources. As of 2005, about 7.6 millions sightseers visited the city a year.^[3]

History[link]

Iwaki City Hall

The forms いわき, 石城, 岩城, and 磐城 are all ways of writing "Iwaki," which means "rocky castle". Today, いわき is the most common written form.

Iwaki's origin dates back to 708 AD, during the Nara period. The Yamato government constructed a barrier in Iwaki against possible invasion by the Emishi, a Japanese people from the north.^[4]

When the Taika Reform was established in AD 645, the central government formed "Iwaki district (磐城郡)" in the northern part of the present city and "Kikuta district (菊多郡)" in the southern part.^[5]

In 653, the Iwaki district incorporated with a part of Taga Province and became Iwaki district(岩城評).^[5]

In 718, Iwaki Province was formed, which was composed of five districts with Mutsu Province: Iwaki (岩城), Shineha, Namekata, Uta, Watari and Kikuta which was given from Hitachi Province. Shineha was the present Naraha. Namekata and Uta were the present Soma. Watari was the present Watari, Miyagi. The area of the present Iwaki City was composed of Kikuta and Iwaki (岩城 or 磐城).^[5]

In the late 11th century, Iwaki clan (岩城氏) of Hitachi Province invaded Iwaki district (磐城郡) and divided it into four districts of Yoshima, Iwasaki, Iwaki, Naraha. The clan settled Iwaki district.

In 1189, Minamoto no Yoritomo appointed Iwaki Taro Kiyotaka (岩城太郎清隆) to jito of Yoshima.

In 1532, the Battle of Kidogawa.

In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi came in Tohoku region and demanded sword hunt and kenchi.

In 1600, Iwaki Sdataka (岩城貞隆) didn't fight in Ieyasu's corner on the Battle of Sekigahara. As a result, the Iwaki clan was ousted and Torii Tadamasa was appointed as the lord of Iwakitaira han (磐城平藩, old Iwaki Province) by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu put Tadamasa of his Fudai in fear of Date Masamune of Sendai han. The han has about 100 thousand goku.^[5]

In 1603 Edo period, Torii Tadamasa started to construct Iwakidaira Castle in Taira.

Izumi han (1634) and Yunagaya (1670) hans were placed, following Kubota(1622) and Tanagura (1634) hans.

In 1684, Kubota han's territory was confiscated.

In 1860, Ando Nobumasa of Iwakitaira han was appointed as a Roju of Tokugawa shogunate. In 1862, he was wounded near the sakashitamon-gate in Edo Castle.

In the Boshin War, the hans in Iwaki lost and were controlled by the new government (新政府). In 1871, Abolition of the han system was practiced and the hans in Iwaki became ken(means old prefectures): Iwakitaira ken, Yunagaya ken and Izumi ken. These hans were incorporated to Iwamae (Iwasaki) Prefecture (磐前県) and to the current Fukushima Prefecture (1876).^[5]

In 1896, Iwaki Bank and Taira Bank were established.

In 1897, Nihon Tetsudo filled in the inner moat of Iwakidaira Castle and made Taira Station. Jōban coalfield, which was the biggest coalfield in Honshū and the nearest from the Japanese capital Tokyo, was started to exploit it under the Fukoku kyōhei policy. After which Iwaki developed into an industrial city for the exploitation of the coalfield. The Jōban Line was made for the haulage of the coal. Iwaki's fishery, forestry and agricultural sectors also developed from this time.^[4]

After WWII, the Jōban coalfield was closed. The same natural hot springs that were troublesome to the coal miners were put to good use and a hot springs resort was developed Spa Resort Hawaiians.

The present city was incorporated on October 1, 1966, with the merger of 14 municipalities (5 cities, 4 towns and 5 villages). The cities were Taira (平), Uchigō (内郷), Iwaki (磐城), Nakoso (勿来), and Jōban (常磐); the towns, Yotsukura, (四倉) Tōno (遠野), Ogawa (小川) and Hisanohama (久之浜); and the five villages were Yoshima (好間), Miwa (三和), Tabito (田人), Kawamae (川前) and Ōhisa (大久).^[5] Taira was chosen as the location for City Hall and other administrative offices and continues to function as the centre of Iwaki. This stem from that Torii clan's castle town was Taira.

In April 1979, an "Iwaki Number" as an automobile number plate was introduced.

On April 1, 1999, the city was designated a "core city".

Geography and climate[link]

The city is located at the southern end of Tōhoku Region and close to Ibaraki Prefecture, (37°01′N 140°32′E / 37.02°N 140.53°E / 37.02; 140.53). The city covers a total area of 1,231.35 km², making it the largest city in Fukushima Prefecture and the tenth largest in Japan. The city occupies around 8.9 percent of the total area of Fukushima Prefecture.

The eastern part of the city is made up of 60 kilometres of coastline which faces the Pacific Ocean and the western part goes through the Abukuma highlands and joins up with the central part of Fukushima Prefecture. The western part is a range of mountains and forests, occupies about 70 percent of the city. The rivers which flow to the east from the mountains have riverbeds with steep inclines which form the deep valleys of the Natsuigawa Gorge and the Shidokigawa Gorge. The flatter eastern part of the city is where most of the population is located. There are seven beaches on the coastline. Off the coast of Iwaki the Kuroshio Current(warm) and the Oyashio Current(cold) meet and make for an abundant fishing ground. The prevailing winds from the ocean are warm and wet.

Iwaki is situated in a temperate climate zone and has a moderate climate. The city's average temperature is 13.1°C (55.6°F) and its average annual precipitation is 1,383.0 mm. The highest recorded temperature in the city is 37.7°C (99.9°F), and the lowest recorded temperature is -10.7°C (12.7°F). The average year has 14.4 days with a high temperature over 25°C and only 3.1 days with a low temperature below 0°C, which is smaller compared to other Japanese cities. The city is rarely hit by typhoons, and experiences only 0.7 days with more than 10 cm of snowfall in the average year. The duration of bright sunshine is 2058.1 hours in average year.^[6]

Natural environment[link]

• Rivers: Natsuigawa River, Samegawa River, Yoshimagawa River
• Gorges: Natsuigawa Gorge, Shidokigawa Gorge
• Mountains: Mizuishiyama, Yunodake, Futatsuyasan, Ishimoriyama
• Hot springs： Iwaki Yumoto Onsen

Towns[link]

The central area of the city is Taira. In Taira, main urban function builds up; Iwaki City Hall (main government office), Iwaki City Lyceum, Iwaki Station, etc. Iwaki is a decentralized city and consists of several other urban areas including Onahama and Yumoto.

Yumoto is home to Iwaki Yumoto onsen, one of the oldest onsens in Japan. There are many ryokan hotels. It is also home to Spa Resort Hawaiians, a spa resort which draws 1.5 million visitors per year and was the subject of the 2006 movie Hula Girls.

Onahama is a port town where many factories, fisheries and port facilities are located. There is also an aquarium, some beaches and seaside restaurants.

Izumi is a residential town section. The other towns are Ueda, Nakoso, Uchigō, Yotsukura et al.

There are thirteen zones in the city.^[7]

Demographics[link]

As of October 1, 2007, the city had an estimated population of 350,119, giving a population density of 284.33 persons per km². Iwaki is the second most populous city in Tōhoku region, following Sendai, and the 59th most populous nationwide. The conurbation is the third biggest in the prefecture, following Kōriyama and Fukushima.

As of 2007, Iwaki City has 130,814 households. The average household has approximately 2.67 members. The number of males is 169,932 and the number of females is 180,187. The city has many people in their 50s and in their 40s compared to other age groups. The average age in Iwaki is 44.31.

As of October 1, 2007 ^[8]

Economy[link]

The main foundation of economy is industry and agriculture. The industrial production of Iwaki City is no.1 in Tōhoku region. Iwaki is rich in sightseeing resources and 7.64 million tourists visit a year. Within Fukushima prefecture, the industrial and sightseeing center is Iwaki, while the political center is Fukushima city.

Statistics (2006)^[3]

• Employed population: 174,048
• Unemployed population: 121,802
• Gross production: ¥1,293,782 billion
• Number of tourists: 7,639,296

Major companies[link]

Major companies with head offices in Iwaki[link]

Major companies with factories in Iwaki[link]

Banks[link]

(As of 2007)

Fisheries[link]

Fishery: 75,628t (2003)

Import and export[link]

Onahama Port (2003)

Import: 5,133,727t

Export: 514,045t

Transportation[link]

Surrounded by the ocean and mountains, Iwaki is related more closely to Mito than to Nakadōri (Kōriyama or Fukushima (Nakadōri)). Iwaki is 75 km from Kōriyama, 150 km from Sendai and 95 km from Mito. Most of the residents usually use cars to commute because Iwaki is large and the urban areas are dispersed. There are many trucks on the roads related to hauling the freight of Onahama Port in Iwaki.

The Jōban Line runs north and south in the city. The central station is Iwaki station (old Taira station). There are banks, business hotels and shops in front of the station. Many trains stop at the station in mid course between Sendai and Tokyo. East Ban'etsu Line links to Koriyama.

Railway[link]

Central Station: Iwaki Station

• JR East Jōban Line
  • (Ueno) ~ Nakoso - Ueda - Izumi - Yumoto - Uchigō - Iwaki - Kusano - Yotsukura - Hisanohama - Suetsugi ~ (Sendai)
• East Ban'etsu Line
  • Iwaki - Akai - Ogawagō - Eda - Kawamae ~ (Kōriyama)
• Fukushima Seaside Line (freight line)
  • Izumi - Onahama

¤This line carries passenger specially on the day of Onahama firework festival

Looking south from Iwaki Station

Roads[link]

Iwaki JCT

• Jōban Expressway
  • Iwaki Nakoso - Iwaki Yumoto - Iwaki JCT - Iwaki Chūō IC - Iwaki Yotsukura
• Ban-etsu Expressway
  • Iwaki JCT - Iwaki Miwa
• National Route 6

Hiragata tunnel, Minami-Sōma tunnel, Hattachi tunnel, Kusehara tunnel

• National Route 49
• National Route 289
• National Route 349
• National Route 399

Bus operators[link]

City buses[link]

• Shin Jōban Kōtsū

Highway buses[link]

• Shin Jōban Kōtsū
• JR Bus Tohoku
• JR Bus Kanto
• Tōbu Bus Central
• Fukushima Transportation
• Aizu Bus

Ports[link]

• Onahama Port, designated as an important port by Japan^{[citation needed]}
• Nakanosaku Port
• Ena Port
• Hisanohama Port

Airport[link]

Fukushima Airport in Sukagawa is the nearest airport.

Culture[link]

Festivals[link]

Jangara Odori, held in August

• Jangara
• Iwaki Odori
• Onahama Firework Festival

Movies[link]

• The 2006 film Hula Girls won five awards in 2007 Japan Academy Prize

Sport[link]

Iwaki-Taira Velodrome is located within the city.

Public Institutions[link]

Taira[link]

Nakoso[link]

• Nakoso branch office
• Iwaki Nakoso Lyceum

Uchigō[link]

• Uchigō branch office
• Iwaki Uchigō Community Center

Onahama[link]

• Onahama branch office
• Iwaki Onahama baseball ground
• Onahama civil pools
• Iwaki Onahama Lyceum
• Aquamarine Fukushima

Jōban (Yumoto)[link]

• Jōban branch office
• The 21st-century forest park

Iwaki Green Stadium (capacity of 30,000)

Iwaki Green Field (soccer, rugby, football)

• Iwaki Jōban Lyceum
• Iwaki Coal and Fossils Museum

Others[link]

Iwaki bicycle racetrack

Sightseeing[link]

• Iwaki Onahama Minato Oasis
  • Iwaki Sun Marina
  • Aquamarine Park
    • Aquamarine Fukushima, an aquarium
    • Iwaki La La Miu
    • Iwaki Day Crews
• Iwaki Marine Tower
• "Iwaki seven beaches"
• Shioyazaki lighthouse
  • Monuments of Misora Hibari

The Monument of Misora Hibari

• Setogarō, a scenic ravine, named by Kusano Shimpei
• Iwaki Yumoto Onsen, one of the three old hot springs in Japan
• Spa Resort Hawaiians, hot spring and leisure park.
• Iwaki Coal and Fossils Museum
• Nakoso Barrier, was built against Emishi in Yamato period. "Nakoso" means "Don't come over here".
• Iwaki Ammonites Center
• Shiramizu Amidadō, Temple. National Treasures of Japan.

Shiramizu Amidadō

• Kurashi no Denshōgō, historical facility
• Iwaki Taira Keirin, cycle racetrack
• Kusano Simpei Memorial Hall

Media[link]

Television (analogue)[link]

• NHK Fukushima and NHK series
• Fukushima Central Television (by Nittele)
• Fukushima Broadcasting (by TV Asahi)
• Fukushima Television Broadcasting (by Fuji)
• TV-U Fukushima ([by TBS)

Newspapers[link]

• Fukushima Mimpō (Fukushima, Mainichi)
  • Iwaki Mimpō
• Fukushima Min-Yū (Fukushima, Yomiuri)

Radio[link]

• Sea Wave (cFM J-Wwave)

Education[link]

Universities and Colleges[link]

• Fukushima National College of Technology
• Iwaki Meisei University
• Higashi Nihon International University / Iwaki Junior College

Senior high schools[link]

Public (prefectural)[link]

Private[link]

• Iwaki Shūei High School (いわき秀英高等学校)
• Shōhei High School (東日本国際大学附属昌平高等学校)
• Iwaki First High School (磐城第一高等学校)
• Iwaki Second High School (磐城第二高等学校)

Junior high schools[link]

Public (municipal)[link]

Private[link]

• Shōhei Junior High School (東日本国際大学附属昌平中学校)

People[link]

Mayors[link]

• 1st Shōbē Akazu (赤津庄兵衛) 1966-
• 2nd Yaichi Ōwada (大和田弥一) 1966-
• 3rd Kanemitsu Tabata (田畑金光) 1974-
• 4th Takeo Nakata (中田武雄) 1986-
• 5th Mitsuhide Iwaki (岩城光英) 1990-
• 6th Keisuke Shike (四家啓助) 1997
• 7th Kazuo Kushida (櫛田一男) 2005-

Notable people[link]

• Kusano Shimpei, poet; famous as "poet of frogs"
• Denmei Suzuki, actor
• Misaki Ito, actress
• Tadashi Suzuki, discovered Futabasaurus suzukii
• Noboru Kirishima, singer
• Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi, a conductor
• Takeo Takagi, Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral
• Aya Okamoto, actress
• Noboru Kousaka, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan for the Japan Socialist Party
• Kouichirou Wakamatu, painter

Twinnings[link]

Japanese sister cities[link]

• Nobeoka, Miyazaki (since May 30, 1997); a sister city
• Yurihonjo, Akita (since August 10, 1986); a sister city. Yurihonjo City includes old Iwaki town(岩城町), who has the same name "Iwaki".

International friendship and sister cities[link]

• Townsville, Queensland, Australia (since August 21, 1991); a friendship city
• Fushun, Liaoning Province, China (since April 15, 1982); a sister city

Neighboring municipalities[link]

• North: Kawauchi, Naraha, Hirono
• West: Tamura, Ono, Hirata, Furudono
• South: Kitaibaraki (Ibaraki)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Iwaki, Fukushima

• Official Iwaki municipal website (in Japanese with some English pages)
• The Iwaki Minpo (evening newspaper) (Japanese)

v t e Fukushima Prefecture Cities Aizuwakamatsu Date Fukushima (capital) Iwaki Kitakata Kōriyama Minamisōma Motomiya Nihonmatsu Shirakawa Sōma Sukagawa Tamura Districts Adachi Date Futaba Higashishirakawa Ishikawa Iwase Kawanuma Minamiaizu Nishishirakawa Ōnuma Sōma Tamura Yama Regions Aizu Hamadōri Nakadōri See also: Towns and villages by district