Moriya, Ibaraki

Moriya 守谷市
City
Moriya city hall Moriya city hall
Flag of Moriya Flag Official seal of Moriya Seal
Location of Moriya in Ibaraki Prefecture Location of Moriya in Ibaraki Prefecture
Moriya
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki Prefecture
Area
• Total	35.71 km2 (13.79 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
• Total	64,644
• Density	1,810/km2 (4,700/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Pine
- Flower	Lilium auratum
- Bird	Chinese bamboo partridge
Phone number	0297-45-1111
Address	Okashiwa 950-1, Moriya-shi, Ibaraki-ken 302-0116
Website	Official website

Moriya (守谷市, Moriya-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 64,644 and a population density of 1810 persons per km². Its total area was 35.71 square kilometres (13.79 sq mi).

Geography

Moriya is located in southwestern Ibaraki Prefecture, bordering on Chiba Prefecture to the southwest. The city is surrounded by three rivers, the Kinugawa, Kokaigawa and the Tone River, one of the longest rivers in Japan. In terms of area, it is the smallest city in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located approximately 35 kilometers from central Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

• Ibaraki Prefecture
  • Tsukubamirai
  • Toride
  • Jōsō
• Chiba Prefecture
  • Noda
  • Kashiwa

History

Moriya developed in the Kamakura period as a castle town ruled the Soma clan. During the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate, much of the area was ruled as part of Sakura Domain, followed by Sekiyado Domain. The town of Moriya was established within Kitasōma District on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system. It was elevated to city status February 2, 2002.

Economy

Moriya has numerous industrial parks, and its economy is highly industrialized. It is also increasingly a bedroom community for greater Tokyo.

Education

Moriya has ten elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools.

Transportation

Railway

• Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company - Tsukuba Express
  • Moriya
• Kantō Railway - Jōsō Line
  • Togashira - Minami-Moriya - Moriya - Shin-Moriya

Highway

• Jōban Expressway – Moriya SA, Yawara IC
• Japan National Route 294

Sister city relations

• - Greeley, Colorado, USA, sister city since August 1993
• - Mainburg, Germany, friendship city since September 1990

Local attractions

• site of Moriya Castle

Notable people from Moriya

• Masakatsu Sawa – professional football player
• Takuya Terada – actor, singer

External links

• Official website (Japanese)