Komatsu, Ishikawa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Komatsu 小松市
City
Top: Komatsu Airport Ataka Barrier, Nata-dera Komatsu Castle, Dainichi River Otabi Matsuri
Flag Seal
Location of Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture
Komatsu Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Hokuriku)
Prefecture	Ishikawa Prefecture
Area
• Total	371.05 km2 (143.26 sq mi)
Population  (March 1, 2018)
• Total	108,509
• Density	292.438/km2 (757.410/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number	0761-20-0404
Address	91 Konmademachi, Komatsu-shi, Ishikawa-ken 923-8650
Climate	Cfa
Symbols Flower Ume Tree Pine

Komatsu City Hall

Komatsu (小松市, Komatsu-shi) is a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. As of March 1, 2018, the city had about 108,509 people living in 42,664 homes. The city covers an area of 371.05 square kilometers (143.26 sq mi). This means there were about 290 people per square kilometer.

Exploring Komatsu's Location

Komatsu is in the southwest part of Ishikawa Prefecture. It is part of the Hokuriku region of Japan. To the east, it borders the Sea of Japan. To the south, it shares a border with Fukui Prefecture. Komatsu is about an hour's drive southwest from Kanazawa, which is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Nearby Towns and Cities

Komatsu is surrounded by several other municipalities. These are its neighbors:

• Fukui Prefecture
  • Katsuyama
• Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Hakusan
  • Kaga
  • Nomi

Komatsu's Climate and Weather

Komatsu has a humid continental climate. This type of climate (Köppen Cfa) means it has mild summers. The winters are cold and often have heavy snowfall. The average temperature in Komatsu throughout the year is about 14.3 °C (57.7 °F). The city gets a lot of rain, about 2521 mm (99.25 inches) each year. September is usually the wettest month. Temperatures are highest in August, around 26.8 °C (80.2 °F). The coldest month is January, with temperatures around 2.9 °C (37.2 °F).

Komatsu's Population Over Time

The number of people living in Komatsu grew steadily until around the year 2000. Since then, the population has gone down a little bit. This information comes from Japanese census data.

A Look Back: Komatsu's History

The area where Komatsu is today was once part of an old region called Kaga Province. During the Edo period, a time when Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate, this area was part of the Kaga Domain.

Komatsu was home to a special castle where a powerful leader named Maeda Toshitsune lived after he retired. Most of this castle was taken down, but its beautiful garden, called Rojou Park (芦城公園), still remains. In the spring, this park is one of the best places in the prefecture to see cherry blossoms.

After the Meiji restoration, a big change in Japan's history, the area became part of Nomi District, Ishikawa. The town of Komatsu was officially created on April 1, 1889. Later, on December 1, 1940, Komatsu joined with other nearby towns to become the city we know today.

Komatsu's Economy and Industries

Komatsu has a history of making special goods. It was known for producing Kutani ware ceramics, which are beautiful pottery items. It was also known for silk production.

A very important company, Komatsu Limited, started here in 1921. This company is famous around the world for making large construction and mining machines.

Learning in Komatsu: Education

Komatsu has many schools for young people. The city government runs 26 public elementary schools and 10 middle schools. There are also five public high schools run by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education, and one by the city government. Plus, there is one private high school. For higher education, Komatsu College, a private junior college, is also located in the city.

Getting Around: Transportation in Komatsu

Komatsu has different ways to travel, both by train and road. It also has its own airport.

Railway Connections

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is a high-speed train service. It became the main train service in Komatsu on March 16, 2024. The older train line was then taken over by the IR Ishikawa Railway on the same date.

• IR Ishikawa Railway
  • Awazu - Komatsu - Meihō
• West Japan Railway Company - Hokuriku Shinkansen
  • Komatsu

Major Highways

Several important highways pass through or near Komatsu, making it easy to travel by car.

• Hokuriku Expressway
• National Route 8
• National Route 305
• National Route 360
• National Route 416

Komatsu Airport

• Komatsu Airport is located in the city. It connects Komatsu to other parts of Japan and some international destinations.

Global Connections: Sister Cities

Komatsu has special friendships with cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" or "friendship cities."

• Angarsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, friendship city, since November 13, 2017
• Changhua, Taiwan, friendship city, since October 10, 2017
• Changnyeong County, South Gyeongsang, South Korea, friendship city
• Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK, since August 2, 1991
• Guilin, Guangxi, China, friendship city
• Jining, Shandong, China, since September 5, 2008
• Suzano, São Paulo, Brazil, since July 11, 1972
• Vilvoorde, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, since May 15, 1974

Fun Places to Visit in Komatsu

Komatsu has many interesting places for visitors to explore.

Old town

• Awazu Onsen: This is a famous hot spring resort where you can relax in natural hot water.
• Hoshi Ryokan: This traditional Japanese inn is said to be the second oldest hotel in the world!
• Site of the Komatsu Castle (小松城): You can visit the historical grounds where Komatsu Castle once stood.
• Motorcar Museum of Japan: This is the largest museum in Japan dedicated to cars and other motor vehicles. It has a huge display area of 12,000 square meters.
• Nata-dera: A beautiful Buddhist temple complex with a long history.
• Yunokuni-no-mori: A village where you can see and try traditional Japanese handicrafts.

See also

In Spanish: Komatsu (Ishikawa) para niños