Kudamatsu Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Kudamatsu

下松市

City

Kudamatsu City Hall

Flag

Emblem

Kudamatsu

Location in Japan

Country

Japan

Region

Chūgoku (Sanyo)

Prefecture

Yamaguchi

Area

• Total

89.35 km² (34.50 sq mi)

Population

(May 31, 2014)

• Total

56,892

• Density

636.73/km² (1,649.13/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+09:00 (JST)

City hall address

3-3-3 Ōtemachi, Kudamatsu-shi, Yamaguchi-ken 744-8585

Climate

Cfa


Symbols
Flower	Salvia splendens
Tree	Myrica rubra

Kudamatsu (下松市, Kudamatsu-shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It's a lively place with a rich history and important industries.

As of May 31, 2023, Kudamatsu had an estimated population of 56,892 people living in 26,829 homes. This means there were about 640 people per square kilometer. The city covers a total area of 89.35 square kilometers (about 34.5 square miles).

Kasado Bridge

Kudamatsu city center

Exploring Kudamatsu's Geography
A Look at Kudamatsu's Past
- The Legend of the Falling Star
- Ancient Temples and Modern Cities
Kudamatsu's Economy and Industries
Learning in Kudamatsu: Education
Getting Around: Transportation
- Railway Lines
- Major Highways
See also

Exploring Kudamatsu's Geography

Kudamatsu is located between the cities of Shunan and Hikari. These three cities work closely together in business and share many residents. People often call them the "Shunan District."

The city also includes two islands off its coast: Kasado and Furushima. The southern part of Kudamatsu faces the Seto Inland Sea. This area is important for factories and shipping. The northern part of the city is growing with more and more homes for families.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Kudamatsu shares borders with these places in Yamaguchi Prefecture:

Hikari
Shūnan

Kudamatsu's Climate and Weather

Kudamatsu has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and cool winters. It rains quite a bit throughout the year, but especially in the summer months.

The average temperature in Kudamatsu is about 15.6 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit). The city gets about 1850.1 millimeters (72.8 inches) of rain each year. July is usually the wettest month.

August is the warmest month, with average temperatures around 27.0 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit). January is the coldest, with averages around 4.9 degrees Celsius (40.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The hottest temperature ever recorded in Kudamatsu was 37.2 degrees Celsius (99.0 degrees Fahrenheit) on August 6, 2023. The coldest was -8.6 degrees Celsius (16.5 degrees Fahrenheit) on February 27, 1981.

How Kudamatsu's Population Has Grown

Based on Japanese census data, Kudamatsu had 55,887 people in 2020. The city has been counting its population since 1920. Over the years, the number of people living in Kudamatsu has steadily increased.

A Look at Kudamatsu's Past

The area where Kudamatsu is today was once part of an old Japanese province called Suō Province.

The Legend of the Falling Star

Kudamatsu has a famous legend about a falling star. This story is linked to the arrival of Prince Imseong from a kingdom called Baekje (which is now part of Korea). People believe Prince Imseong was an ancestor of the powerful Ōuchi clan.

The city's name, Kudamatsu (下松), actually means "fallen pine tree." This name comes from the legend of the star falling onto a pine tree. This story is a big part of Kudamatsu's identity and is often shared in the city's tourism information. There's even a Star Tower (Hoshi no Tō) in Kudamatsu Park that celebrates this legend. The story of Prince Imseong's arrival is told during local festivals, keeping the city's history alive.

Ancient Temples and Modern Cities

Myōkengu Juto-ji Temple (妙見宮鷲頭寺) in Kudamatsu is said to have been built by Prince Imseong in the 7th century. This temple became the birthplace of worshipping a special god called Myōken Daibosatsu (妙見大菩薩). The Ōuchi clan supported this temple, making it an important place for their guardian god.

During the Edo Period (1603-1868), the Kudamatsu area was controlled by the Chōshū Domain and Tokuyama Domain. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan created new local governments. On April 1, 1889, the village of Toyoi (豊井村) was formed. Toyoi became a town on March 1, 1901, and its name was changed to Kudamatsu. Finally, on November 3, 1939, Kudamatsu officially became a city after joining with the villages of Hanaoka, Kubo, and Suetake-minami.

Kudamatsu's Economy and Industries

Kudamatsu is a key part of the Shunan industrial area, which is a major manufacturing hub along the Setouchi coast. This area includes the Tokuyama-Kudamatsu Port.

The city is home to several large factories. One important factory is Hitachi, Ltd. Kasado Works. This factory builds railway vehicles for both Japan and other countries. Another big company is Toyo Kohan, which makes materials used for things like beverage cans and parts for computer hard drives.

Learning in Kudamatsu: Education

Kudamatsu has a good education system. The city government runs seven public elementary schools and three public junior high schools. For older students, the Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education operates three public high schools.