Takaoka, Toyama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Takaoka 高岡市
City
From top: view of Tateyama Mountains from Amaharashi Coast, Takaoka Daibutsu, and Zuiryū-ji
Flag Seal
Location of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture
Takaoka Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Hokuriku)
Prefecture	Toyama
First official recorded	701 AD
City settled	April 1, 1889
Area
• Total	209.57 km2 (80.92 sq mi)
Population  (March 10, 2018)
• Total	173,086
• Density	825.910/km2 (2,139.10/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols
• Tree	Persera thunbergii
• Flower	Katakuri (Katakago)
• Flowering tree	Sakura
Phone number	0766-20-1111
Address	7-50 Hirokōji, Takaoka-shi, Toyama-ken 933-8601
Climate	Cfa

Downtown Takaoka at night

Takaoka (高岡市 (Takaoka-shi)) is a city in the northwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is the second largest city in Toyama Prefecture, right after Toyama City.

Takaoka is a main hub for the western part of Toyama Prefecture. This area is known as "Gosei," which means "west of Kureha hill." The eastern part of the prefecture is called "Goto," meaning "east of Kureha hill."

As of 2018, about 173,086 people lived in Takaoka. The city covers an area of 209.57 square kilometers (80.92 sq mi).

Geography of Takaoka

Takaoka covers about 5% of Toyama Prefecture's total area. The city has different types of land. This includes real estate, farms, mountains, forests, and public areas like parks.

The city stretches 19.2 kilometers (11.9 mi) from north to south. It is 24.5 kilometers (15.2 mi) wide from east to west. Takaoka shares its borders with four cities in Toyama Prefecture. These are Himi, Oyabe, Tonami, and Imizu. It also borders two towns in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Mountains ranging from 150 to 300 meters (490 to 980 ft) run through Takaoka. The Shogawa River and Oyabegawa River flow through the city. Many smaller rivers also weave through the city center.

Neighboring Cities and Towns

Takaoka is surrounded by these places:

• Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Hōdatsushimizu
  • Tsubata
• Toyama Prefecture
  • Himi
  • Imizu
  • Oyabe
  • Tonami

Takaoka's Climate

Takaoka has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). This is common along the Sea of Japan coast. Winters in Toyama Prefecture can have a lot of snow. Sometimes, there is very heavy snowfall. For example, in 2006, the snow was 1.4 meters (4.6 ft) high. In 2011, it reached 1.27 meters (4.17 ft).

The average temperature in 2010 was 14.5°C (58.1°F). The average humidity was 79%. The city received about 2,665.5 mm (104.94 in) of rain that year. There were 1,634 hours of sunlight.

Population of Takaoka

The number of people living in Takaoka has slowly gone down over the last 40 years.

People from Other Countries

As of 2011, Takaoka had many people from other countries. About 1,430 residents were from Brazil. Around 700 people were from China, and about 360 were from the Philippines.

History of Takaoka

The area where Takaoka is today was once part of an old province called Etchū Province. Its main government office was near the modern city. In the 8th century, a government official named Ōtomo no Yakamochi worked here. He wrote many waka poems during his five years in the area. Because of this, Takaoka is sometimes called "Manyō City."

The Takaoka region was first known as Sekino. In 1609, Maeda Toshinaga of Kaga Domain took control. He renamed it Takaoka, using a word from a religious poem. Also, Takaoka Castle was built on a slightly high area. "Taka" means "high" and "Oka" means "hill," which might be another reason for the name.

In 1615, the castle was removed by order of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, the Maeda clan helped Takaoka grow as a city for business and industry. This is when Takaoka became famous for its copperware and lacquerware.

On April 1, 1889, Takaoka became one of Japan's first 30 official cities. In July 1899, Fushiki Port was opened for trade with other countries.

Later, on November 1, 2005, the town of Fukuoka joined with Takaoka.

Education in Takaoka

Takaoka has several schools and universities.

Colleges and Universities

• University of Toyama – Takaoka campus
• Takaoka University of Law

Schools for Kids

The city runs 26 public elementary schools and 12 public junior high schools. The Toyama Prefectural Board of Education runs eight public high schools. There are also three private high schools. Takaoka also has one special education school. The prefecture runs four more special education schools.

Getting Around Takaoka

You can travel around Takaoka by train and highway.

Train Lines

• West Japan Railway Company (JR West) - Hokuriku Shinkansen
  • Shin-Takaoka
• West Japan Railway Company (JR West) - Himi Line
  • Takaoka - Etchū-Nakagawa - Nōmachi - Fushiki - Etchū-Kokubu - Amaharashi
• West Japan Railway Company (JR West) - Jōhana Line
  • Takaoka - (Shin-Takaoka) - Futatsuka - Hayashi - Toide
• Ainokaze Toyama Railway
  • Fukuoka - Nishi-Takaoka - (Takaoka-Yabunami) - Takaoka
• Manyosen - Man'yōsen Takaoka Kidō Line
  • Takaoka Station - Suehirochō - Kataharamachi - Sakashitamachi - Kyūkan Iryō Center-mae - Hirokōji - Shikino Chūgakkō-mae - Shimin Byōin-mae - Ejiri - Asahigaoka - Ogino - Shin-Nōmachi - Yonejimaguchi -Nōmachiguchi - Shin-Yoshihisa - Yoshihisa
• Manyosen - Man'yōsen Shinminatokō Line
  • Naka Shinminato

Major Roads

• Hokuriku Expressway
• National Route 8
• National Route 156
• National Route 160
• National Route 415

Takaoka's International Connections

Takaoka has friendly relationships with cities in other countries:

• Mirandópolis, São Paulo, Brazil (since 1974)
• Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States (since 1977)
• Jinzhou, Liaoning, China (friendship city since August 1985)
• Liaoyang, Liaoning, China (friendship city since August 2010)

Fun Places to Visit in Takaoka

Takaoka has many interesting spots to explore.

Great Buddha of Takaoka

The Great Buddha of Takaoka

This huge statue is almost 16 meters (52 ft) tall. It is the third largest Buddha statue in Japan. The current Buddha is made of Takaoka bronze. It was finished in 1933 after an older wooden statue burned down. You can find it next to the Daibutsu Temple in a living area of Takaoka.

Kojo Park

Kojo Park used to be the site of Takaoka Castle. It's a short walk from the city center. Inside the park, you can find the Imizu Shrine and the Takaoka Museum. There's also the Takaoka Zoo, the Civic Hall, and a Civic Gymnasium. The park is full of nature. The moat around the park is a popular place to see cherry blossoms in spring.

Zuiryūji Temple

Zuiryū-ji Temple

This Zen temple was completed in 1663. It is a National Treasure of Japan. The temple was built to honor Maeda Toshinaga, who helped build Takaoka. It shows the amazing architecture from the early Edo period.

The Amaharashi Coast

The Amaharashi Coast is north of Takaoka city. It has sandy beaches and great views. You can see the Onnaiwa Rock with the beautiful Tateyama mountains in the background.

Kanayamachi Area

Kanayamachi is a part of Takaoka with old buildings. These include warehouses and houses that have been kept since the Meiji period. This area is where Takaoka copperware first started to be made.

Sakuradani Kofun

The Sakuradani Kofun are groups of old burial mounds. Two of these mounds are very important. They are recognized as a National Historic Site of Japan.

Exciting Festivals in Takaoka

Takaoka hosts many lively festivals throughout the year.

Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival (May 1)

This festival began when Maeda Toshinaga gave a special float to the people of Takaoka. Seven colorful floats are part of the festival. They are made in the bright Momoyama style. These floats parade through the streets of Takaoka.

Fushiki Hikiyama Festival (May 15)

This festival in the port town of Fushiki is known as 'Kenkayama' or "fighting floats." During the day, the floats are decorated with flowers. At night, they are lit up with paper lanterns. The floats are crashed into each other to the beat of war drums.

Goin Festival (June 19/20)

The Goin festival celebrates Maeda Toshinaga's kindness to the city's metal casters. People worship documents with his official seal. During the festival, the Yagaefu dance is performed. This is a special dance with bamboo sticks in the Kanayamachi streets.

Toide Tanabata Festival (Toide, Takaoka)

Toide Tanabata Festival (July 3–7)

This festival features about 1,000 tanabata decorations. Some are very tall, up to 20 meters (66 ft) high. They create a large tunnel over the town's main street.

Takaoka Tanabata Festival (Early August)

This festival is a symbol of summer in Takaoka. Thousands of large tanabata line the streets. It celebrates the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi. These two deities are said to meet only once a year.

Fukuoka Machi Tsukurimon Festival (September 23/24)

This festival has been celebrated for over 300 years. Sculptures of local sights and famous characters are made. They are crafted from fruits and vegetables. These amazing sculptures are displayed all over the town.

Nakada Scarecrow Festival (Late September)

Scarecrows are made from everyday materials like straw and wood. They show current events and famous characters. These scarecrows are displayed in the main shopping area of the Nakada district.

Takaoka Manyō Festival (First Weekend of October)

This big autumn event celebrates the Manyō tradition. It features a poetry reading marathon. People recite the entire Manyō poetry collection. This reading lasts for three days and three nights. Many people take turns reading.

Takaoka Nabe Festival (Mid-January)

Fresh fish and shellfish from the Sea of Japan are cooked. They are prepared in large pots. These pots are made using local metal casting techniques.

Famous People from Takaoka

Many notable individuals have come from Takaoka:

• Kinjirō Ashiwara (1850–1937), also known as Shogun Ashiwara (葦原将軍, Ashiwara Shōgun)
• Fujiko Fujio (1933–1996), a pen name for Hiroshi Fujimoto. He helped create famous characters like Doraemon.
• Takamine Jōkichi (1854–1922), a scientist in engineering and medicine. He helped start the RIKEN Natural Sciences Institute. He also discovered Adrenaline.
• Eichi Kanamori (1908–2001), a "Living National Treasure" for his metal engraving skills in Takaoka copperware.
• Izumi Matsumoto, a manga artist.
• Sosen Mishima (1876–1934), an author and theater critic.
• Kingetsu Murozaki (1891–1977), a composer and founder of a music school in Tokyo. He wrote a famous song about the sunset at Takaoka's Kojo Park.
• Namori, a manga artist and author of YuruYuri. This story takes place in a fictional area of Takaoka.
• Komin Ozawa (born in 1941), a "Living National Treasure." He is known for his skill in making metal objects using a special casting method.
• Yōjirō Takita (born in 1955), a filmmaker. His 2008 movie Okuribito won an Academy Award.

Images for kids

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  From top: view of Tateyama Mountains from Amaharashi Coast, Takaoka Daibutsu, and Zuiryū-ji

• 

  Flag of Takaoka

• 

  Emblem of Takaoka

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  Location of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture

See also

In Spanish: Takaoka (Toyama) para niños