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An Introduction to Kagoshima City 鹿児島市
An Introduction to Kagoshima City 鹿児島市
GEOGRAPHY
Kagoshima City is located on the southern tip of Kyushu, the most south-western island of Japan's four main islands. The city lies at a latitude of 32 degrees north and a longitude of 130 degrees east. Kagoshima City lies in the heart of Kagoshima Prefecture, which covers a total area of 547 square kilometres. Most of the land within the city limits is between 100 - 300 metres above sea level and consists primarily of ash, volcanic sand and light volcanic debris.
Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano, lies four kilometres away across Kinko Bay. Mount Sakurajima has had over thirty major eruptions in recorded history. The most recent major eruption occurred in 1914, which joined the volcanic island permanently to the Osumi peninsula. It has now become the towering symbol of Kagoshima.
The perimeter of the volcanic island measures 52km and covers a total area of eighty square kilometres. The volcano consists of three peaks: the north peak, measuring 1117 metres, the central peak, 1060 metres and the south peak being 1040 metres high. The south peak is still active and occasionally showers the city with ash.
CLIMATE
Kagoshima Bay, also called Kinko Bay, is actually a volcanic crater and is fed by various rivers. Kinko Bay extends for 20 kilometres between the Satsuma and Osumi peninsulas and about 60 kilometres from north to south. Kagoshima has a sub-tropical climate with warm weather and plenty of rain thanks to the Black Current, a warm surface oceanic current which flows from the south into Kinko Bay. The average annual temperature is about 19℃ (66°Fahrenheit ), and the average annual precipitation is 2000mm, of which the greatest concentration falls in the rainy season or tsuyu, from May to July.
POPULATION
Thanks to the merge in November 2004 with five surrounding towns, Kagoshima City's population is now approximately 600,000. This population accounts for roughly a third of the total population of Kagoshima Prefecture.
HISTORY
Kagoshima City lay at the heart of the Shimazu fief in the middle ages and today has grown to become well known for its active and dynamic populace.
Historically, Kagoshima has been influenced by its geographic location, close to both the ocean and Asia. Kagoshima has been a gateway for trade and exchange between Japan and other nations since ancient times, and it was here that the Spanish missionary Francis Xavier first landed, introducing Christianity to Japan in the year 1549.
In the 17th century, the Shogunate forbade contact with other nations and their people, but this did not deter the people of Satsuma (present day Kagoshima) who were keen to absorb aspects of modern culture. Continued trade with China and the despatch of students to Europe were examples of this.
Nariakira Shimazu, the 28th Lord of Satsuma, made a particular contribution to the modernization of Japan through the construction of a succession of modern facilities. In the mid 1800’s he was responsible for building a steel refinery, a glass plant and blast furnaces.
The youth of Kagoshima were greatly affected by the actions of Lord Shimazu, and many played a major role in the Meiji Restoration. Kagoshima was the birthplace of several prominent historical figures including Takamori Saigo and Toshimichi Okubo, and the city has played vital roles in many phases of Japanese history. There are still countless important historical sights throughout the city.
DESIGNATED CITY FLOWER AND TREE
Flower : Oleander (市花：きょうちくとう)
Designated in 1968 (1968年制定)
市花・市木
Tree : Camphor (市木：くす)
Designated in 1968 (1968年制定)
SISTER CITIES
Kagoshima has three sister cities, a brother city, and one friendship city.
The sister cities are:
1. Naples, Italy (since May 3rd, 1960)
2. Perth, Australia (since April 23rd, 1974)
3. Miami, USA (since November 1st, 1990)
FRIENDSHIP CITY
Changsha, China (since October 30th, 1982)
BROTHER CITY
Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture (since November 7th, 1969)
CITY MONITORS
Every resident of Kagoshima City, including those of foreign nationality, has the right to have their voice heard on matters relating to the City. There are special envelopes available at all Kagoshima City offices and facilities, addressed to the Mayor. You can pick one up, complete it in Japanese or English and post it in the box provided.
If you feel strongly about Kagoshima and its future you can go one step further and register as a city monitor and your thoughts will be included in opinion polls. City monitors are commissioned in July of each year for a 12 month period.
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