Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

Hatsukaichi 廿日市市
City
Flag of Hatsukaichi Flag
Location of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture Location of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture
Hatsukaichi Location in Japan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Chūgoku (San'yō)
Prefecture	Hiroshima Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Katsuhiro Shinno
Area
• Total	489.36 km2 (188.94 sq mi)
Population (February 2010)
• Total	115,120
• Density	235/km2 (610/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Sakura
• Flower	Satsuki azalea
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address	1-11-1 Shimohera, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken. 738-8501
Website	www.city.hatsukaichi.hiroshima.jp

Hatsukaichi (廿日市市, Hatsukaichi-shi) is a city of some 120,000 people located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The name derives from a market traditionally held on the 20th of each month with hatsuka (廿日) meaning "20th day" and ichi (市) translating to "market". The market continues to this day on a small scale featuring fresh, locally grown vegetables and foodstuffs.

Following the absorption of the nearby towns of Ōno and Miyajima on November 3, 2005 (as of February 2010), Hatsukaichi has a population density of 235 persons per km². The total land area stands at 489.36 km².

History

• The name "Hatsuka-ichi" was from the ichi on the 20th of every month from Kamakura Period.
• "Hatsukaichi-machi", Saeki District, Hiroshima was founded on April 1, 1889.
• The city "Hatsukaichi" was founded on April 1, 1988.
• On March 1, 2003, the town of Saeki and the village of Yoshiwa, both from Saeki District, merged into the expanded city of Hatsukaichi.
• On November 3, 2005, the towns of Miyajima and Ōno (both from Saeki District) were merged into Hatsukaichi. Therefore, Saeki District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Education

• The Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima College of Nursing
• Sanyo Women's College

Points of interest

• Itsukushima Shrine - an UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of Itsukushima (also known as Miyajima) - one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan.
• Marine Plaza Miyajima - an aquarium on Miyajima
• Miyajima Natural Botanical Garden
• Miyao Castle ruins, site of the Battle of Miyajima (1555)
• Miyajima Underwater Firework Festival, held in mid-August

Torii Gate in Itsukushima Shrine

• Hatsukaichi City is considered to be the birthplace of kendama, a traditional Japanese toy.

Transportation

• Hatsukaichi can be accessed from Hiroshima city via the JR West Sanyo Line; on the Hiroden streetcar services' Miyajima Line; as well as by buses and boats.
• JR Miyajima Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen connect between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima.

Sister cities

Hatsukaichi has Sister City relationships with:

• Masterton, New Zealand
• Mont Saint-Michel, France

External links

• Hatsukaichi city official website (Japanese)
• Le Mont Saint-Michel (French)
• The 150 year anniversary of France and Japan in 2008 (French)