Namegata, Ibaraki

Namegata 行方市
City
Namegata city hall
Flag Seal
Location of Namegata in Ibaraki Prefecture
Namegata
Coordinates: 35°59′25.8″N 140°29′20.5″E / 35.990500°N 140.489028°ECoordinates: 35°59′25.8″N 140°29′20.5″E / 35.990500°N 140.489028°E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki Prefecture
Area
• Total	222.48 km^2 (85.90 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
• Total	34,928
• Density	157/km^2 (410/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Ginkgo biloba
- Flower	Lilium auratum
- Bird	Egret
Phone number	0299-72-0811
Address	Aso 1561-9, Namegat-shi, Ibaraki-ken 311-3892
Website	Official website

Aerial view of marina on Lake Kasumigaura in Namegata

Namegata (行方市 Namegata-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 34,928 and a population density of 157 persons per km². Its total area was 222.48 square kilometres (85.90 sq mi).

Geography

Namegata is located in south-central Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by Lake Kasumigaura to the east and west. It is located approximately 70 kilometers from central Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

• Ibaraki Prefecture
  • Kashima
  • Itako
  • Kasumigaura
  • Hokota
  • Omitama

History

During the Edo period, portions of what later became the city of Namegata were under the control of Asō Domain, a feudal domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. The towns of Asō and Tamazukuri were created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The village of Kitaura was established on April 1, 1955 and elevated to town status on October 1, 1997. The three towns merged to form the city of Namegata on September 2, 2005.

Economy

The economy of Namegata is primarily agriculture, with aquaculture on Lake Kasumigaura taking a predominant role.

Education

Namegata has 18 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools.

Transportation

Railway

• Namegata does not have any commercial passenger rail service.

Highway

• Japan National Route 354
• Japan National Route 355

Noted people from Namegata

• Hiromi Nagasaku – actress, singer
• Fukushiro Nukaga – politician
• Hideaki Ozawa – professional football player

External links

• Official website (Japanese)