Nikkō
Nikkō
Nhật quang thị | |
|---|---|
From top, left to right:Nikkō Tōshō-gū,Kegon Falls,Kinugawa Onsen,Lake ChūzenjiandMount Nantai,andAshio Copper Mine | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 The location of Nikkō inTochigi Prefecture | |
  Nikkō | |
| Coordinates:36°43′11.4″N139°41′53.4″E/ 36.719833°N 139.698167°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Tochigi |
| First official recorded | 766 AD |
| City Settled | February 11, 1954 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Shoichi Konakawa(from May 2021) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,449.83 km2(559.78 sq mi) |
| Population (October 1, 2021) | |
| • Total | 76,452 |
| • Density | 53/km2(140/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9(Japan Standard Time) |
| Phone number | 0288-22-1111 |
| Address | 1 Imaichi Honchō, Nikkō-shi, Tochigi-ken 321–1292 |
| Climate | Dfb |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Cettia diphone,Alcedo atthis |
| Flower | Rhododendron,Hemerocallidoideae |
| Tree | Betula platyphylla,Autumn leaf color |
Nikkō(Nhật quang thị,Nikkō-shi,IPA:[ɲikkoꜜːɕi])is acityinTochigi Prefecture,Japan.As of 2 December 2020[update],the city had a population of 80,239, in 36,531 households. The population density was 55 persons per km2.[1]The total area of the city is 1,449.83 square kilometres (559.78 sq mi).
Nikkō is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists. Attractions include themausoleumofshōgunTokugawa Ieyasuat theNikkō Tōshō-gū shrine,and that of his grandsonIemitsu(Iemitsu-byō Taiyū-in), along withFutarasan Shrine,which dates to the year 767 AD. There are many famous hot springs (onsen) in the area. Elevations range from 200 to 2,000 meters.[2]
The Japanese saying “Nhật quang を kiến ずして kết cấu と ngôn うなかれ” "Never say'kekkō'until you've seen Nikkō "– withkekkōmeaning splendid, magnificent, or satisfied – is a reflection of the beauty and sites in Nikkō.[3][4]
Geography[edit]
Nikkō covers a vast area (1,449.83 km2) of rural northwestern Tochigi, approximately 140 km north ofTokyoand 35 km west ofUtsunomiya,the capital ofTochigi Prefecture.It is the third-largest city (by area) in Japan, behindTakayamaandHamamatsu.
Both theWatarase Riverand theKinugawa Riverpass through the city.Lake Chūzenjiand theKegon Fallslie in Nikkō, as does theNikko Botanical Garden.The city's many mountains and waterfalls have made it an important source ofhydroelectric power.The area has been used for miningcopper,aluminumandconcrete.[clarification needed]
The weather in Nikkō is fairly similar to that of the northern island ofHokkaidō,even though Nikkō is much closer toTokyothan Hokkaidō. The elevation of Nikkō plays an important role in this fact. It will usually get cooler as one ascends the mountain. The average temperature of Nikkō is around 7 °C (44 °F)[5]with the warmest months reaching only about 22 °C (72 °F)[6]and the coldest reaching down to about −8 °C (17 °F).[7]
Surrounding municipalities[edit]
Climate[edit]
Nikkō has aHumid continental climate(KöppenDfb). It has warm summers, and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nikkō is 7.2 °C (45 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,202 millimetres (87 in). September is the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 18.8 °C (66 °F), and lowest in January, at around −3.9 °C (25 °F).[8]
The highest temperature ever recorded in Nikkō was 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) on 8 August 2018.[9]The coldest temperature ever recorded was −18.7 °C (−1.7 °F) on 15 March 1984.[9]
| Climate data for Nikkō (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1944−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.7 (62.1) |
23.2 (73.8) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.8 (80.2) |
30.4 (86.7) |
30.8 (87.4) |
27.6 (81.7) |
25.3 (77.5) |
19.1 (66.4) |
17.2 (63.0) |
30.8 (87.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.3 (31.5) |
0.6 (33.1) |
4.2 (39.6) |
10.1 (50.2) |
15.3 (59.5) |
18.0 (64.4) |
22.1 (71.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
18.9 (66.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
8.6 (47.5) |
2.8 (37.0) |
11.4 (52.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.9 (25.0) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
5.1 (41.2) |
10.3 (50.5) |
14.0 (57.2) |
18.2 (64.8) |
18.8 (65.8) |
15.2 (59.4) |
9.6 (49.3) |
4.4 (39.9) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
7.2 (45.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.9 (17.8) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
5.5 (41.9) |
10.4 (50.7) |
14.9 (58.8) |
15.6 (60.1) |
11.9 (53.4) |
5.7 (42.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−4.9 (23.2) |
3.3 (37.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −16.5 (2.3) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
3.7 (38.7) |
6.0 (42.8) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
−14.7 (5.5) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 57.5 (2.26) |
48.6 (1.91) |
108.5 (4.27) |
154.4 (6.08) |
177.1 (6.97) |
228.8 (9.01) |
280.5 (11.04) |
332.5 (13.09) |
409.0 (16.10) |
240.9 (9.48) |
97.6 (3.84) |
58.4 (2.30) |
2,202 (86.69) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 63 (25) |
56 (22) |
57 (22) |
13 (5.1) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
3 (1.2) |
33 (13) |
227 (89) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 6.4 | 6.6 | 9.5 | 10.7 | 11.3 | 14.3 | 16.4 | 15.3 | 14.4 | 11.1 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 128.9 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 1 cm) | 12.9 | 12.6 | 11.0 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 46.9 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%) | 66 | 65 | 67 | 69 | 75 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 88 | 83 | 73 | 69 | 77 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 164.6 | 167.0 | 189.5 | 187.1 | 174.1 | 107.8 | 109.6 | 128.2 | 105.1 | 122.8 | 152.1 | 153.2 | 1,763.1 |
| Source:Japan Meteorological Agency[9][8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics[edit]
Per Japanese census data,[10][1]the population of Nikkō has declined over the past 20 years.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 107,674 | — |
| 1960 | 110,468 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 99,415 | −10.0% |
| 1980 | 97,515 | −1.9% |
| 1990 | 97,859 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 98,143 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 90,064 | −8.2% |
| 2020 | 77,661 | −13.8% |
| Japanese census data[1][10] | ||
History[edit]
Shōdō Shōnin(Thắng đạo thượng nhân)established the temple ofRinnō-jiin 766, followed by the temple ofChūzen-jiin 784. The village of Nikkō developed around these temples. The shrine ofNikkō Tōshō-gūwas completed in 1617 and became a major draw of visitors to the area during theEdo period.It is known as the burial place of theshōgunTokugawa Ieyasu.A number of new roads were built during this time to provide easier access to Nikkō from surrounding regions. Nikkō Tōshō-gū,Futarasan Shrine,andRinnō-jinow form theUNESCOWorld Heritage SiteShrines and Temples of Nikkō.
During theMeiji period,Nikkō developed as a mountain resort, and became particularly popular among foreign visitors to Japan. TheJapanese National Railwaysbegan service to Nikkō in 1890 with theNikkō Line,followed byTobu Railwayin 1929 with itsNikkō Line.
Nikkō was incorporated as a town in 1889, part ofKamitsuga District,with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. It was upgraded to city status in 1954 after merging with the neighboring village ofOkorogawa.
Benito Mussolinistayed in Nikko in 1945.[11]
In March 2006, Nikkō absorbed the neighboring city ofImaichi,the town ofAshiofromKamitsuga District,the town ofFujihara,and the village ofKuriyama,both fromShioya District,to create what is officially the new and expanded city of Nikkō. The new city hall is located at the former Imaichi City Hall. The former Nikkō City Hall is now known as Nikkō City Hall-Nikkō Satellite Office.
Government[edit]
Nikkō has amayor-councilform of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameralcity legislature of 24 members. Nikkō contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part ofTochigi 2nd districtof thelower houseof theDiet of Japan.
Economy[edit]
Nikkō is heavily dependent on tourism to its historical and scenic sites andhot spring resorts.Hydroelectric power production, food processing, and the non-ferrous metals industry are also important components of the economy.
Nikkō has been recognized by Japan's Office for the Promotion of Regional Revitalization (Kishida Cabinet Secretariat), which promotes the development of new technologies to combat depopulation, for its "high standard" ofdigital transformation/teleworkinfrastructure. Related projects have been awarded over ¥19.1M in government grants.[12]
Local attractions[edit]
-
Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil -
True LightAnglicanChurch (Nhật quang chân quang giáo hội lễ 拝 đường), built 1916 -
-
- Cedar Avenue of Nikko
- Nikko Botanical Garden
- Tamozawa Imperial Villa
- Shrines and Temples of Nikkō(Nikkō Tōshō-gū,Futarasan Shrine,andRinnō-ji)
- Nikkō Tōshō-gū
- TheThree wise monkeys( "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" )
- Rinnō-ji
- Futarasan Shrine
- Lake Chūzenji
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura(historical theme park)
- Nikko is well known for its monkeys that walk around the town in the winter looking for food.
- Jizō Bosatsustatues on the Kanman Walk. A little out of the main city, locals often tell visitors to count the statues while walking, and to recount while walking back. The number is often different, fueling a legend amongst locals.
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a place that was formed from the lava from the eruption of Mt. Nantai[13]
Transportation[edit]
Railway[edit]
Tōbu Railway–Tōbu Kinugawa Line
- Shimo-Imaichi-Daiya-Mukō-Ōkuwa-Shin-Takatoku-Kosagoe-Tobu World Square-Kinugawa-Onsen-Kinugawa-Kōen-Shin-Fujiwara
- Shin-Fujiwara-Ryūōkyō-Kawaji-Onsen-Kawaji-Yumoto-Yunishigawa-Onsen-Nakamiyori-Onsen-Kamimiyori-Shiobara-Onsenguchi-Ojika-Kōgen
Highway[edit]
Tōhoku Expressway– Yaita IC, Yaita-Kita PA
Nikkō Utsunomiya Road– Kiyotaki IC, Nikko IC, Imaichi IC, Dosawa IC, Osawa IC
National Route 119
National Route 120
National Route 121
National Route 122
National Route 352
National Route 400
National Route 461
Sports[edit]
Nikkō is the home city to theNikkō Ice Bucksin theAsia League Ice Hockey.Nikkō Kirifuri Ice Arenahosted the Women'sIce Hockey World Championships(Division I) in April 2007.
There is also aspeed skatingoval.
Education[edit]
Nikko has 23 publicprimary schools,12 publicmiddle schoolsand three combined public primary/middle schools operated by the city government. The city has three publichigh schoolsoperated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
High schools:
- Tochigi Prefectural Nikko Meiho High School
- Tochigi Prefectural Imaichi High School
- Tochigi Prefectural Imaichi Technical High School
Notable people[edit]
- Masaru Ibuka,entrepreneur, co-founder of Sony[14]
- Shoma Sato,professional baseball player[15]
- Akio Fukuda,politician[16]
- Tomikazu Fukuda,politician[17]
Sister city relations[edit]
Rapid City, South Dakota,United States, sister city since February 7, 1993
Tainan,Taiwan,friendship city since January 16, 2009
Odawara,Kanagawa Prefecture,since December 19, 1980
References[edit]
- ^abc"Nikkō City official statistics"(in Japanese). Nikkō City. 2 December 2020.Retrieved3 January2021.
- ^"Nikko City/Location, Topography & History of Nikko City".Nikko City. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-05-27.Retrieved23 April2008.
- ^Lohn, Steve (11 September 1983)."Shrine of the Shogun".The New York Times.
- ^"Nikko/Aizu - Challenging".okatours.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2019-07-09.Retrieved2019-07-09.
- ^"NIKKO, 24-hr Average Temperature".worldclimate.com.
- ^"NIKKO, Average Maximum Temperature".worldclimate.com.
- ^"NIKKO, Average Minimum Temperature".worldclimate.com.
- ^abKhí tượng sảnh / bình niên trị ( niên ・ nguyệt ごとの trị ).JMA.RetrievedMarch 22,2022.
- ^abcQuan trắc sử thượng 1～10 vị の trị ( niên gian を thông じての trị ).JMA.RetrievedMarch 22,2022.
- ^ab"Nikkō population statistics".11 November 2018.Retrieved3 January2021.
- ^https://www.gingkoedizioni.it/%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%ac%e3%81%ae%e3%83%a0%e3%83%83%e3%82%bd%e3%83%aa%e3%83%bc%e3%83%8b%ef%bc%9f/
- ^"Địa phương sang sinh テレワーク giao phó kim の giao phó đối tượng sự nghiệp nhất lãm ( tân quy sự nghiệp )"(PDF).Nội các phủ địa phương sang sinh thôi tiến thất.August 10, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 17,2022.
- ^"About Kanmangafuchi Abyss – Nikko Travel Guide | Planetyze".Planetyze.Retrieved2017-11-24.
- ^Kirkup, James."Obituary: Masaru Ibuka,"Independent(London). December 22, 1997.
- ^[1]Baseball-reference.com
- ^[2]Official home page(in Japanese)
- ^official home page(in Japanese)
External links[edit]
- Official Website(in Japanese)
- Official Websiteat theWayback Machine(archive index)(in Japanese)
- Nikko Tourist Association(in Japanese)
- Nikko Official Guide
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