Bandō, Ibaraki

Bandō 坂東市
City
Bandō city hall
Flag Seal
Location of Bandō in Ibaraki Prefecture
Bandō
Coordinates: 36°2′54.3″N 139°53′19.4″E / 36.048417°N 139.888722°ECoordinates: 36°2′54.3″N 139°53′19.4″E / 36.048417°N 139.888722°E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki Prefecture
Area
• Total	123.03 km^2 (47.50 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
• Total	54,349
• Density	442/km^2 (1,140/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Zelkova serrata
- Flower	Tea
- Bird	Japanese bush warbler
Phone number	0297-35-2121
Address	Iwai 4365, Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture 306-0692
Website	Official website

Bandō (坂東市 Bandō-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 54,349 and a population density of 442 persons per km². Its total area was 123.03  km².

Geography

Bandō is located in far southwestern Ibaraki Prefecture, on the north bank of the Tone River, bordered by Chiba Prefecture to the southwest. It is approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

• Ibaraki Prefecture
  • Jōsō
  • Koga
  • Yachiyo
  • Sakai
• Chiba Prefecture
  • Noda

History

The area of modern Bandō was part of Shimōsa Province until the start of the Meiji period. With the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the village of Iwai was created within Sashima District, Ibaraki. Iwai was elevated to town status on July 4, 1900 and to city status on April 1, 1972. The city of Bandō was established on March 22, 2005, from the merger of the city of Iwai with the neighoring town of Sashima.

Education

• Bandō has 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools.

Transportation

Train

• Bandō is not served by any passenger train service.

Highway

• Ken-O Expressway – Bando IC
• Japan National Route 354

Local attractions

• site of Sakasai Castle
• Ibaraki Natural Museum

International relations

• – Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA – sister city since October 9, 1989 ^[1]

Notable people from Bandō

• Makoto Takimoto, judoka
• Wakanami Jun, sumo wrestler

References

1. "US-Japan Sister Cities by State". Asia Matters for America. Honolulu, HA: East-West Center. Retrieved 20 November 2015.

External links

Media related to Bandō, Ibaraki at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (Japanese)