| Hitachi 日立市 |
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  Hitachi
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| Coordinates: 36°36′N 140°39′E / 36.6°N 140.65°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kantō | ||
| Prefecture | Ibaraki | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Chiaki Kashimura | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 225.55 km2 (87.1 sq mi) | ||
| Population (January 2008) |
195,844 | ||
| - Density | 335.1/km2 (868/sq mi) | ||
| City Symbols | |||
| - Tree | Japanese zelkova | ||
| - Flower | Sakura | ||
| - Bird | Japanese Cormorant | ||
| Website | Hitachi City | ||
| Phone number | 0294-22-3111 | ||
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1-1 Sukegawa-chō, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki-ken |
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Hitachi (日立市 Hitachi-shi) is a city located on the Pacific Ocean in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Its name could be directly translated as "sunrise", but probably more appropriately adapted to "prosperous wealth" (the historical kanji name for the area is 常陸).
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Demographics
As of January 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 195,844 and the density of 868 persons per km². The total area is 225.55 km².
History
Hitachi was officially designated a city on September 1, 1939. On November 1, 2004 the neighboring town of Jūō, from Taga District, was merged into Hitachi.
The name Hitachi is well known throughout the world due to Hitachi company founded in the city in 1910 by Odaira Namihei. Today, Hitachi company is one of the world's largest manufacturing and consumer electronics companies.
Interesting sites
Being a predominantly industrial city Hitachi was badly damaged in World War II and very few older buildings now remain in the downtown area. However the city is not without interesting local sites.
Like many Japanese cities, many of the public spaces are dedicated to symbolising the struggle for peace in the post-war world. It is in this spirit that one must consider Heiwa Dori (Peace Street), Hitachi's prettiest street. Every April there is a major procession down the broad tree-lined boulevard to celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom season (Sakura Matsuri). Giant colourful floats called furyumono are carried by the local people.
Hitachi also has a small zoo on the nearby Mount Kamine.
Transportation
Hitachi is located on the Joban Line and Joban Expressway which connect it to Tokyo, Mito and Iwaki. The closest airport is Fukushima Airport.
Sister cities
Birmingham, Alabama
Tauranga, New Zealand [1]
References
- ^ "Sister Cities". Tauranga City Council. http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/knowledgebase/tabid/624/qid/1125/tctl/1332_ViewQuestion/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hitachi, Ibaraki |
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