Ōiso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ōiso 大磯町
Town
Ōiso Town Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Ōiso in Kanagawa Prefecture
Ōiso Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa
District	Naka
Area
• Total	17.18 km2 (6.63 sq mi)
Population  (January 1, 2023)
• Total	31,262
• Density	1,819.7/km2 (4,712.9/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols
- Tree	Japanese black pine & Camellia sasanqua
- Flower	Calystegia soldanella
- Bird	Common gull
Phone number	0463-61-4100
Address	183 Ōiso, Ōiso-machi, Naka-gun, Kanagawa-ken 255-8555

Ōiso Long Beach resort

Ōiso (大磯町, Ōiso-machi) is a charming town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It sits right on the coast, facing the beautiful Sagami Bay of the Pacific Ocean. As of early 2023, about 31,262 people call Ōiso home. The town covers an area of 17.18 square kilometers (about 6.63 square miles).

Exploring Ōiso's Location

Ōiso is found on the central coast of Kanagawa Prefecture. It faces the Sagami Bay, which is part of the huge Pacific Ocean. The land here is mostly hilly, with Mount Koma reaching 168 meters (about 551 feet) in the northwest. Ōiso's sandy coastline is known as the western edge of the Shōnan area. It's a popular beach and holiday spot for people from Tokyo.

Neighboring Towns and Cities

Ōiso shares its borders with a few other places in Kanagawa Prefecture:

• Hiratsuka
• Ninomiya

Ōiso's Climate

Ōiso has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm summers and cool winters. There is usually little to no snowfall. The average temperature in Ōiso is about 15.8°C (60.4°F). The town gets a lot of rain, about 2144 mm (84 inches) each year. September is usually the wettest month. Temperatures are highest in August, around 25.7°C (78.3°F), and lowest in January, around 5.2°C (41.4°F).

Ōiso's Population Over Time

The number of people living in Ōiso has generally grown over the last century. There was a small decrease in population between 2010 and 2020.

A Look at Ōiso's History

Ōiso has a long and interesting history. It was once an important center for Sagami Province in ancient times. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Ōiso became a busy post town called Ōiso-juku. Post towns were important stops along the Tōkaidō road, which connected the capital city of Edo (now Tokyo) with Kyoto. Travelers would stop here to rest and get supplies.

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Ōiso grew even more. Because of its mild climate and easy train access to Tokyo, it became a popular health resort by the sea. Many important people, like prime ministers and famous writers, built summer homes here. Some of these homes, like those of Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi and writer Shimazaki Toson, are now museums. Ōiso continues to be a favored spot for relaxation and holidays.

How Ōiso is Governed

Ōiso has a mayor-council form of government. This means the town has a mayor who is directly chosen by the people. There is also a town council with 14 members. These council members are also elected by the town's residents. Ōiso, along with its neighbor Ninomiya, also sends one person to the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly, which helps govern the entire prefecture.

Ōiso's Economy

The economy in Ōiso mainly relies on a few key things. Tourism is very important, especially during different seasons. Many visitors come to enjoy the beaches and attractions. Farming (agriculture) and commercial fishing also play a role in the local economy. Ōiso is also a "bedroom community." This means many people who live in Ōiso travel to work in bigger cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, or Odawara.

Learning in Ōiso

Ōiso has several schools for its young residents. The town government runs one public elementary school and one public middle school. The Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education operates one public high school. There are also private elementary, middle, and high schools in Ōiso. For higher education, Seisa University has a campus located in the town.

Getting Around Ōiso

Ōiso is well-connected by different types of transportation.

Railway Travel

JR East - Tōkaidō Main Line

• Ōiso Station is the main train station in town.

Major Roads

• Odawara-Atsugi Road
• National Route 1 (This important road connects Tokyo all the way to Osaka.)
• National Route 134
• Seishō Bypass

Ōiso's Sister Cities

Ōiso has special relationships with other towns and cities, both in Japan and other countries. These are called sister city relationships, and they help promote friendship and understanding.

• - Komoro, Nagano, Japan (since September 1968)
• - Yamaguchi, Nagano, Japan (since April 1973)
• - Racine, Wisconsin, United States
• - Dayton, Ohio, United States

Fun Places to Visit in Ōiso

Ōiso has several interesting places that visitors can enjoy:

• Shigitatsu-an: A historic hermitage.
• Sagichō Fire Festival: A lively fire festival.

Amazing Wildlife

Terugasaki in Ōiso is a special place known for its wildlife. It's where you can see White-bellied green pigeons come to drink saltwater.

Famous People from Ōiso

Some notable individuals have come from Ōiso:

• Tatsuo Satō, a film director
• Soeda Azenbō, a street musician from the 19th century
• Eijiro Ozaki, an actor
• Miki Sawada, a kind benefactor and social worker

See also

In Spanish: Ōiso para niños