Moriya, Ibaraki

Moriya (守谷市, Moriya-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2020, the city had an estimated population of 68,777 in 28,103 households and a population density of 1926 persons per km². The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 23.1%.[1] The total area of the city is 35.71 square kilometres (13.79 sq mi).

Moriya

守谷市
City
Moriya city hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Moriya in Ibaraki Prefecture
Moriya
 
Coordinates: 35°57′5.1″N 139°58′31.5″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureIbaraki
Area
 • Total35.71 km2 (13.79 sq mi)
Population
 (October 2020)
 • Total68,777
 • Density1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreePine
- FlowerLilium auratum
- BirdChinese bamboo partridge
Phone number0297-45-1111
AddressOkashiwa 950-1, Moriya-shi, Ibaraki-ken 302-0116
WebsiteOfficial website
Sakura-no-mori Park in Moriya

Geography

Moriya is located in southwestern Ibaraki Prefecture, bordering on Chiba Prefecture to the southwest. The city is surrounded by three rivers, the Kinugawa, Kokaigawa and the Tone River, one of the longest rivers in Japan. In terms of area, it is the smallest city in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located approximately 35 kilometers from central Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

Ibaraki Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture

Climate

Moriya has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Moriya is 14.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1325 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.5 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Moriya has expanded rapidly since the 1970s

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 38,559—    
1930 37,829−1.9%
1940 37,718−0.3%
1950 12,160−67.8%
1960 11,449−5.8%
1970 12,300+7.4%
1980 17,585+43.0%
1990 35,427+101.5%
2000 50,362+42.2%
2010 62,434+24.0%

History

Moriya developed in the Kamakura period as a castle town ruled by the Sōma clan, who ruled northern Shimōsa Province. During the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate, much of the area was ruled as part of Sakura Domain, followed by Sekiyado Domain. The town of Moriya was established within Kitasōma District on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to city status February 2, 2002.

Government

Moriya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Moriya contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Moriya was an agricultural area until the late 1970s, when the development of new towns and industrial parks made it a commuter town and suburb of greater Tokyo.

Education

Moriya has nine public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education. There are also one private elementary school and three private high schools.

Transportation

Railway

Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company - Tsukuba Express

Kantō Railway - Jōsō Line

Highway

Sister city relations

Local attractions
  • site of Moriya Castle

Notable people from Moriya

References
  1. "Ibaraki prefectural official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. Moriya climate data
  3. Moriya population statistics
  4. "Moriya, Japan Student Exchange Program". Cultural Affairs Division, City of Greeley. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  5. "Partnerstadt Moriya (Japan)". Leben in Mainburg (in German). Stadt Mainburg im Hopfenlan. 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
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