Hayama, Kanagawa

Hayama (葉山町, Hayama-machi) is a town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, on central Honshū, Japan. As of June 2012, the town had an estimated population of 32,835, and a density of 1,920 per km². The total area is 17.06 km². Since 1894, the Japanese Imperial Family has maintained a residence in Hayama, the seaside Hayama Imperial Villa.[1]

Hayama 葉山町
Town
Hayama Town Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture
Hayama
Coordinates: 35°16′21″N 139°35′10″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa Prefecture
District	Miura
Area
• Total	17.06 km^2 (6.59 sq mi)
Population  (June 1, 2012)
• Total	32,835
• Density	1,920/km^2 (5,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols
• Tree	Japanese black pine
• Flower	Rhododendron
• Bird	Japanese bush-warbler
Phone number	046-876-1111
Address	2135 Horinouchi, Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa-ken 240-0192
Website	http://www.town.hayama.lg.jp/

Geography

Hayama is located at the northern end of Miura Peninsula, facing Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The area has a temperate maritime climate with short cool winters, and hot humid summers.

Surrounding municipalities

• Zushi
• Yokosuka

History

During the Edo period, all of eastern Sagami Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, and administered by various hatamoto. During the cadastral reform of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into Hayama village through the merger of six hamlets. It was elevated to town status in 1925.

Economy

Despite its lack of rail connections, Hayama is now primarily a commuter town for Tokyo and Yokohama and, due to its mild climate, a popular resort area with a marina. Agricultural produce includes shiitake mushrooms, and a brand of beef known as "Hayama-gyu".

A long time getaway for Tokyo's upper classes, Hayama has developed a reputation for being popular with actors and wealthy expats.

Transportation

Hayama is served by Japan National Route 134 highway. The town has no rail service. Instead, people use Yokosuka Line Zushi Station or Keikyū Main Line Shin-Zushi Station, the nearest stations located at the next town.

Sister city relations

• – Kusatsu, Gunma, since March 1969
• – City of Holdfast Bay, South Australia (Australia) since 1997;[2] November 18, 2009, Holdfast Bay wrote a letter signed by their Deputy Mayor admonishing Hayama for Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean.[3]

Notable people from Hayama, Kanagawa

• Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (1946–2012), member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa
• Yasuko Kosuge (born 1974), Japanese former windsurfer
• Sekai (born 1991), singer, dancer and J-pop idol, leader and member of J-pop boygroup Fantastics from Exile Tribe (Real Name: Sekai Yamamoto, Nihongo: 山本 世界, Yamamoto Sekai)
• miwa (born 1990), Japanese singer-songwriter and actress

References

1. "Hayama Imperial Villa". Imperial Family of Japan.
2. "City of Holdfast Bay". Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
3. "Holdfast Bay wants to save the whales". Guardian Messenger. November 18, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)