Zama, Kanagawa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zama 座間市
City
Zama City Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture
Zama Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa
Area
• Total	17.58 km2 (6.79 sq mi)
Population  (June 1, 2021)
• Total	130,667
• Density	7,432.7/km2 (19,251/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols
• Tree	Osmanthus
• Flower	Sunflower
• Bird	Japanese tit
Phone number	046-255-1111
Address	1-1-1 Midorigaoka, Zama-shi, Kanagawa-ken 252-8566

Zama kite festival. First attempt to fly a 40' × 40' handmade kite.

Zama (座間市, Zama-shi) is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of June 1, 2021, about 130,667 people live there. It's quite a busy place with about 7,400 people living in each square kilometer. The city covers an area of 17.58 square kilometers.

Zama is also home to Camp Zama, a base for the United States Army.

Geography of Zama

Zama is in the middle of Kanagawa Prefecture. It's about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Tokyo and 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Yokohama.

The city has two main parts. There's a flat area near the Sagami River in the west. In the east, there's a higher, flat area called the Sagamino Plateau. The Hikiji River, Mekushiri River, and the Hato River all flow through Zama. The city is also famous for its drinking water. It stays cold in summer and warm in winter!

Neighboring Cities

Zama is surrounded by several other cities in Kanagawa Prefecture:

• Sagamihara
• Atsugi
• Yamato
• Ebina

Zama's Climate

Zama has a climate with warm summers and cool winters. Sometimes there's a little snow, but not much. The average temperature in Zama is about 14.4°C (57.9°F) each year. September is usually the wettest month. The hottest month is August, with temperatures around 25.3°C (77.5°F). January is the coldest, at about 3.6°C (38.5°F).

Population Growth in Zama

The number of people living in Zama has grown a lot over the last 70 years.

History of Zama

People have lived in the Zama area for a very long time. We know this because tools and items from the Jōmon period (an ancient time in Japan) have been found here.

Long ago, a small village called "Izama" was a rest stop on the old Tōkaidō road. This road connected Kyoto with other parts of Japan. During the Edo period, the area was directly controlled by the Japanese government.

Modern Development

Zama was mostly farmland until trains arrived. The Odakyu Electric Railway came in 1927, and the Sagami Railway in 1935. These trains helped the area grow. In 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army Academy moved to Zama. This brought more people, and Zama became a town that same year.

Later, in 1941, Zama town joined with Sagamihara. During World War II, a naval factory was built here. After the war ended, this factory closed. The Army Academy became Camp Zama for the United States Army.

In 1948, Zama became a town again, separate from Sagamihara. The local economy got a big boost in 1965 when a Nissan car factory was built in Zama. Other factories also came. Finally, on November 1, 1971, Zama officially became a city.

Zama's Economy

In the past, Zama's economy was mostly about growing mulberry trees for the silk industry. In the 1930s, Zama became more industrial. Factories started making equipment for the Japanese military. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, car parts and cars were made here.

However, the Nissan car factory closed in 1995. This made the economy in Zama a bit harder. Now, many people who live in Zama travel to work in nearby Sagamihara, Yokohama, and Tokyo. This means Zama has become a "commuter town."

Here's a look at how people work in Zama:

• Agriculture (farming): 0.6% of workers
• Manufacturing (making things in factories): 29.8% of workers
• Service (jobs like shops, hospitals, and offices): 68.0% of workers

Education in Zama

Zama has many schools for kids. The city government runs 11 public elementary schools and six public middle schools. For older students, there are three public high schools. These are managed by the Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education. There's also a special education school for students with disabilities.

Getting Around Zama

Train Lines

Odakyu Electric Railway – Odakyu Odawara Line

• Zama
• Sōbudai-mae

JR East – Sagami Line

• Iriya

Main Road

• National Route 246

Sister City

Zama has a special friendship with a city in the United States:

• Smyrna, Tennessee, United States

Fun Places to Visit in Zama

• Zama Yatoyama Park
• Zama Park
• Himawari Park
• Kanigasawa Park
• Fujiyama Park
• Onsen (There are 15 hot springs in the city!)

Famous People from Zama

Many talented people come from Zama, including:

• Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos, a Shakuhachi Flute Player and Maker
• Ami Suzuki, a Singer, Songwriter, Actress, and Dancer
• Danny Lee Clark, an Athlete, TV Personality, Author, Actor, and Producer
• Erina Mano, an Actress and Singer
• Keiichiro Koyama, a Musician
• Koyuki, a Model and Actress
• Nanako Matsushima, an Actress and Model
• Naoya Inoue, a Boxer and Super Bantamweight Champion
• Saki Shimizu, a Singer
• Sakura Oda, a Singer
• Shinobu Ohno, a Female Footballer
• Suzuka Ohgo, an Actress
• Tomoko Ishimura, a Voice Actress
• Shotaro Osaki, a Member of the K-Pop Boygroup Riize

Images for kids

• 

  The Hato River

• 

  Manhole cover depicting symbols of Zama

• 

  Manhole cover depicting sunflowers, a symbol of Zama

• 

  Neighborhood near Soubudai-mae train station

• 

  Vegetable plots near Midori-ga-oka neighborhood

• 

  View of the distant mountains

• 

  View of a neighborhood within a short walk of Soubudai-mae train station

See also

In Spanish: Zama (Kanagawa) para niños