Shimonoseki

Shimonoseki
下関市
Core city

Downtown Shimonoseki

Flag

Location of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Shimonoseki

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 33°57′N 130°56′E / 33.950°N 130.933°E / 33.950; 130.933Coordinates: 33°57′N 130°56′E / 33.950°N 130.933°E / 33.950; 130.933
Country Japan
Region Chūgoku (San'yō)
Prefecture Yamaguchi Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Tomoaki Nakao (since 2009)
Area
 • Total 716.14 km2 (276.50 sq mi)
Population (October 1, 2010)
 • Total 280,386
 • Density 391.52/km2 (1,014.0/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Camphor Laurel
 • Flower Crinum asiaticum
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-1 Nanbu, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi-ken
750-8521
Website www.city.shimonoseki.yamaguchi.jp

Shimonoseki (下関市 Shimonoseki-shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is at the southwestern tip of Honshu, facing the Tsushima Strait and also Kitakyushu across the Kanmon Straits.

Nicknamed the "Fugu Capital," it is known for the locally caught pufferfish and is the largest harvester of the pufferfish in Japan.

As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 280,386 and a population density of 391.52 persons per km². The total area is 716.14 km².

Captured battery at Shimonoseki, 1864
Battle of Dannoura in 1185

History

The Heike and Genji fought at Dan-no-ura near the present Kanmonkyo Bridge.

The city prior to 1902 was commonly known as Bakan (馬關) and formally Akamagaseki (赤間關).

On February 13, 2005, Shimonoseki absorbed the towns of Hōhoku, Kikugawa, Toyota and Toyoura (all from Toyoura District) to create the new and expanded city of Shimonseki. Since October 1, 2005, the city has been designated as a core city by the Japanese Government.

The geographical position of Shimonoseki has given it historical importance, especially with the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in 1864 and the Treaty of Shimonoseki, where a defeated China handed over Taiwan, Penghu, and Port Arthur to the victorious Japanese in 1895.

An Imperial decree in July 1899 established Shimonoseki as an open port for trading with the United States and the United Kingdom.[1]

Kōzan-ji Temple

On January 7, 2006, the wooden station building at Shimonoseki station, which had dated back to 1942, was destroyed in a fire, the cause of which is suspected to be arson.

Climate

Shimonoseki has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heavier in summer.

Climate data for Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3)		 9.0
(48.2)		 12.3
(54.1)		 17.4
(63.3)		 21.5
(70.7)		 24.7
(76.5)		 28.8
(83.8)		 30.3
(86.5)		 26.8
(80.2)		 21.8
(71.2)		 16.6
(61.9)		 11.4
(52.5)		 19.09
(66.35)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.8
(42.4)		 6.0
(42.8)		 8.9
(48)		 13.7
(56.7)		 17.8
(64)		 21.3
(70.3)		 25.6
(78.1)		 27.0
(80.6)		 23.5
(74.3)		 18.3
(64.9)		 13.3
(55.9)		 8.5
(47.3)		 15.81
(60.44)
Average low °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1)		 3.5
(38.3)		 5.9
(42.6)		 10.6
(51.1)		 14.8
(58.6)		 18.7
(65.7)		 23.3
(73.9)		 24.6
(76.3)		 20.8
(69.4)		 15.4
(59.7)		 10.5
(50.9)		 5.9
(42.6)		 13.12
(55.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 73.5
(2.894)		 76.8
(3.024)		 108.5
(4.272)		 158.4
(6.236)		 161.3
(6.35)		 278.5
(10.965)		 264.2
(10.402)		 126.8
(4.992)		 179.7
(7.075)		 95.1
(3.744)		 78.7
(3.098)		 58.2
(2.291)		 1,659.7
(65.343)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 5
(2)		 5
(2)		 1
(0.4)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 1
(0.4)		 12
(4.8)
Average relative humidity (%) 65 66 68 73 75 80 82 78 76 70 69 66 72.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 89.7 106.1 165.9 176.0 200.7 159.0 183.0 213.2 164.4 177.6 132.2 100.0 1,867.8
Source: NOAA (1961-1990)[2]

Economy

Major companies and institutes

Port of Shimonoseki (Hanano-cho Port Area)

Transportation

Ferries from Shimonoseki Port International Terminal

Trains

JR network map

Buses

Regular bus services are provided by Sanden Kohtsu, as well as by group companies of Sanden Kohtsu.

Roads

Expressway

Chūgoku Expressway

Bypasses

National Highways

Airports

Shimonoseki is served by four airports outside the city.

Education

Universities and colleges

University of East Asia

Primary and secondary schools

The city has a North Korean school, Yamaguchi Korean Elementary and Junior High School (山口朝鮮初中級学校).[3] It formerly housed two other North Korean schools, Yamaguchi Korean High School and Shimonoseki Korean Elementary and Junior High School (下関朝鮮初中級学校).[4]

Culture

Regional specialties

Specialty products

Festivals

Shimonoseki is home to many festivals that are held throughout the year. Of these, the most famous are Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival and Shimonoseki Bakan Festival.

Architecture

Museums

Sports

Professional Teams

Sporting venues

Crime and safety

The Goda-ikka yakuza syndicate is headquartered in Shimonoseki. A designated yakuza group, the Goda-ikka is the largest yakuza syndicate in Yamaguchi Prefecture.[5]

Twin cities

Shimonoseki has one Japanese and five international sister cities:[6]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ US Department of State. (1906). A digest of international law as embodied in diplomatic discussions, treaties and other international agreements (John Bassett Moore, ed.), Vol. 5, p. 759.
  2. ↑ "Shimonoseki Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ "ウリハッキョ一覧" (Archive). Chongryon. Retrieved on October 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ "ウリハッキョ一覧" (Archive). Chongryon. November 6, 2005. Retrieved on October 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "The 7th President announces the succession, The Goda-ikka, The Prefectural Police on red alert", 21 October 2009, Yamaguchi Shimbun (Japanese)
  6. ↑ http://www2.city.shimonoseki.yamaguchi.jp/www/contents/1180694927874/html/common/465ff9ec008.html
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