Fujimino, Saitama

Japanese city
Name=Fujimino
JapaneseName=ふじみ野市
Prefecture=Saitama
Region=Kantō
Area_km2=14.67
Population=105,342
PopDate=May 1, 2008
Density_km2=
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LatitudeDegrees = 35
LatitudeMinutes = 53
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LongtitudeDegrees = 139
LongtitudeMinutes = 31
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Postal code=
Area code=049
Mayor =
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Flower =
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SymbolDescription= Flag
CityHallPostalCode = 356-8501
CityHallAddress= 1-1-1 Kamifukuoka, Fujimino-shi, Saitama-ken
CityHallPhone= 049-261-2611
CityHallLink = [http://www.city.fujimino.saitama.jp/ City of Fujimino]
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nihongo|Fujimino|ふじみ野市|Fujimino-shi is a city located in Saitama, Japan, about 30 km from central Tokyo. The city is surrounded by Kawagoe, Fujimi, and Miyoshi.

The city is served by Kami-Fukuoka Station, about 35 minutes on the Tōbu Tōjō Line from Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo. Confusingly, Fujimino Station is located in the neighbouring city of Fujimi.The Kan-Etsu Expressway passes through the west of the city, but there is no interchange.

History

Fujimino city was formed on October 1, 2005, with the merger of Kamifukuoka and Ōi.

The first housing estates (Uenodai and Kasumigaoka) in Japan were built in Kamifukuoka (now Fujimino) city after the Second World War.

There used to be a military factory near Kamifukuoka City Hall in the 1940s.

Earthenwares from the Kamifukuoka shell mound in the Early Jōmon Period, Sekiyama type, were discovered beneath the Dainihon Print Company.

Gongennyama claster of tumuli(Gongenyama mounded claster)built in early kofun period, late 3th century.

There is a Yakushi Buddha (Buddha of Healing) at the Yakuo Temple, which was maybe made in the Muromachi Period.

Education

There are eight kindergartens, twelve elementary schools, six junior high schools, two high schools, and one university (Bunkyo University).

Public facilities

There are two libraries, two public swimming pools (summer season only), and a number of public halls and community centres.

ightseeing

Jizoin Temple

This is famous for a weeping cherry tree which is more than 300 years old.

Benten-no-mori Park

This is a nice park, which has a spring and a small temple. You can see cherry blossom in spring, and kudzu in autumn.

hingashi River

The Shingashi River was used for transporting goods in the Edo Period. You can see Mount Fuji from the riverside. If you go across the Yoro Bridge, you can see an old warehouse now called the Fukuokagashi Riverside Heritage Hall. It dates from the 1870s.

Green Park

This is on the side of the Shingashi River. It is where Tokugawa Ieyasu used to go falconing.

Cherry blossom

Another famous place for cherry blossom is Chūō Park.

Festivals

There are two big festivals in this city: the Kamifukuoka Tanabata (Star) Festival and the Oi Festival.

Kamifukuoka Tanabata Festival

This is a lively festival held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August every year since more than 50 years ago. It includes a bamboo decoration contest, "Awa Odori" dancing, "Bon Odori" dancing, and traditional "taiko" drumming.

Oi Festival

Oi Festival is held in the middle of July every year. You can see historic "mikoshi" portable shrines and a parade of floats. You can also enjoy "Yosakoi" dancing by dancers with "naruko" clappers in their hands. There are also many outdoor snack bars.

hopping

Many supermarkets have been built in Fujimino in the last 10 years, including Ito Yokado, Yaoko, and Belc.The Saty shopping mall has a multi-screen cinema, Ito Yokado supermarket, and a DIY centre, Viva. Viva sells many kinds of hobby and DIY things.

The first outlet shopping mall in Japan was built in Fujimino. It is called Rism, near Fujimino Station. It has many designer shops.

Redevelopment

The Cocone Kamifukuoka shopping centre opened in March 2006 on the west side of Kami-Fukuoka Station. It includes a Yaoko supermarket, shops, restaurants, medical facilities, a post office, and condominiums.

External links

* [http://www.city.fujimino.saitama.jp/ Fujimino official website] in Japanese