Kawanishi, Hyōgo

Kawanishi (川西市, Kawanishi-shi) is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県) in the northwestern part of the Kansai region of Japan, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by the Inagawa river.

Kawanishi

川西市
City
Flag
Emblem
Location of Kawanishi in Hyōgo Prefecture
Kawanishi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°50′N 135°25′E
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
PrefectureHyōgo Prefecture
Government
 • MayorTamio Oshio
Area
 • Total53.44 km2 (20.63 sq mi)
Population
 (August 31, 2016)
 • Total159,723
 • Density2,948.83/km2 (7,637.4/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address12-1 Chūō-chō, Kawanishi-shi, Hyōgo-ken
666-8501
Websitewww.city.kawanishi.hyogo.jp
Symbols
FlowerGentian
TreeSakura

As of August 31, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 159,723 and a population density of 2,948.83 persons per km². The total area is 53.44 km².

History

In the 6th century, the Shofukuji tomb (勝福寺古墳) was built.

In the 10th century, Minamoto no Mitsunaka (源満仲), samurai court official, and grandson of Emperor Seiwa (清和天皇) retired to Tada (多田) village, now part of Kawanishi. This area became the base of his descendants, Seiwa Genji (清和源氏), which established the Kamakura shogunate. A statue of him can be seen next to Kawanishi-Ikeda Station.

In the 11th century, the Tada silver-and-copper mine started. And in the 17th century it was at its peak.

In 1884, Mitsuya Cider was first made.

In 1913, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station was opened.

Kawanishi was incorporated on August 1, 1954 out of the former Kawanishi Town (川西町), Tada Village (多田村) and Higashitani Village (東谷村).

Administration

Mayors
  • Shinzaburo Ogasawara (小笠原新三郎) (1954-1966)
  • Ryutaro Ito (伊藤龍太郎) (1966-1990)
  • Masao Tsuji (辻正男) (Aug 1990-Oct 1990)
  • Susumu Shibao (柴生進) (Oct 1990-2006)
  • Tamio Ohshio (大塩民生) (2006- )

Police

Kawanishi Police Station

Neighboring municipalities

Economy

Kawanishi is home to many commuters who work in Kobe and Osaka, with express trains running from Osaka to Kawanishi to accommodate these travelers. Though primarily suburban, Kawanishi does have a significant agricultural sector, especially in the northern portions of the city. Major crops include peaches, chestnuts, figs, and charcoal.

Sights
Kyodokan Museum
(Folk Museum of Kawanishi)

Transportation

Railways

Kawanishi is serviced by the JR Takarazuka Line and the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Hankyu's Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station is a transfer station to the Nose Railway, which runs primarily within Kawanishi.

Highway

Buses
  • Hankyu Bus
  • Itami City Bus

People from Kawanishi

Sister cities
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.