Matsuda, Kanagawa

Matsuda (松田町, Matsuda-machi) is a town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2012, the town had an estimated population of 11,595, and a population density of 307 persons per km². The total land area of the town is 37.75 km².

Matsuda 松田町
Town
Overview of Matsuda Town
Flag Seal
Location of Matsuda in Kanagawa Prefecture
Matsuda
Coordinates: 35°21′N 139°8′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa Prefecture
District	Ashigarakami
Area
• Total	37.75 km^2 (14.58 sq mi)
Population  (June 1, 2012)
• Total	11,595
• Density	307/km^2 (800/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols
• Tree	Nandina
• Flower	Cosmos
• Bird	Japanese wagtail
Phone number	0465-83-1221
Address	2037 Shoryo, Matsuda-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa-ken 258-8585
Website	http://town.matsuda.kanagawa.jp/

Matsuda Town Hall

Geography

Matsuda is located in hilly western Kanagawa Prefecture, within the Tanzawa Mountains. Since the town lies on an active fault, the local government has been preparing for a possible magnitude-8 earthquake in the upcoming century.

Surrounding municipalities

• Hadano
• Minamiashigara
• Kaisei, Yamakita, Ōi

History

During the Edo period area around present-day Matsuda was part of Odawara Domain in Sagami Province. After the Meiji Restoration, it became part of Ashigarakami District in Kanagawa Prefecture. On April 1, 1889 Ashikagakami District was administratively divided into several villages, including the villages of Yadoriki and Matsuda. The growth of Matsuda was favored by the opening of Matsuda Station the same year, and it attained town status on April 1, 1909. Shin-Matsuda Station opened in 1927. On April 1, 1955, Yadoriki merged into Matsuda. A new town charter was promulgated in 1989, leading to the "Matsuda Plan 21" in the year 2001.

Transportation

Rail

• JR Central - Gotemba Line
  • Matsuda Station
• Odakyū Odawara Line
  • Shin-Matsuda Station

Highway

• Tōmei Expressway (Ōi-Matsuda Interchange)
• Japan National Route 246
• Japan National Route 255

Local attractions

Some local attractions include Sakawa River fishing, Tanzawa Mountain Range hiking, paragliding and camping, and blueberry, tangerine and sweet potato harvesting. Other attractions include the local matsuri, the Matsudayama Herb Garden, Children's Museum, Nature Hall, the ridable miniature railway, the Yadoriki Petting Zoo & Dog Park, Yadoriki Fishing Area, two golf courses, and the Matsuda Health & Welfare Center onsen.

Events

• Matsuda Sakura Festival (late February)
• Wakaba Festival (May 5)
• Herb Festival (June and October)
• Yadoriki Hotaru (Firefly) Festival (June)
• Matsuda Tourism Festival (August)
• Emmei Temple Festival (December 28)

Sister city relations

• Yokoshibahikari, Chiba, Japan, from November 3, 2003

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)