Fujisawa, Kanagawa

Japanese city
Name=Fujisawa City
JapaneseName=藤沢市
Prefecture=Kanagawa Prefecture
Region=Kantō
Area_km2=69.51
Population=394,990
PopDate=2003
Density_km2=
Coords=
LatitudeDegrees= 35
LatitudeMinutes= 20
LatitudeSeconds=
LongtitudeDegrees= 139
LongtitudeMinutes= 29
LongtitudeSeconds=
Postal code=
Area code=
Mayor =Yasunori Ebine
Tree =Japanese Black Pine
Flower =Wistaria
Bird =European Kingfisher
Symbol
!border| SymbolDescription= Flag
CityHallPostalCode =
CityHallAddress=
CityHallPhone=
CityHallLink = [http://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/introduce/english/ Fujisawa City] | City

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Elevation=
nihongo|Fujisawa|藤沢市|Fujisawa-shi is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 394,990 and the density of 5,682.49 persons per km². The total area is 69.51 km².

The city was founded on October 1, 1940.

Geography

Fujisawa is located in the central part of the Kanagawa Prefecture. It faces Sagami Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The northern part of the city is situated on the Sagamino plateau while the southern part is on the Shonan Dunes.

History

Fujisawa was mentioned in a document (Taiheiki) in the late 14th century.Fujisawa developed around Yugyo-ji temple, which was established in 1325.
Fujisawa-shuku was a post town (宿場町 Shukuba-machi) along the Tōkaidō during the Edo period.
Edward S. Morse started biological studies at Enoshima island in 1877. Koza county public office was established in 1878.
Fujisawa Station of Tōkaidō Main Line was established in 1887. Fujisawaosaka town and Fujisawaotomi town were founded in 1889. Fujisawaosaka town and Fujisawaotomi town were united in 1907. Fujisawaosaka town, Kugenuma village, and the Meiji village were united and it became Fujisawa town in 1908. Fujisawa town became Fujisawa city in 1940. Muraoka village and Fujisawa city were united in 1941. Mutsuai village and Fujisawa city were united in 1942. Katase town and Fujisawa city were united in 1947. Goshomi village, Chogo, Takakura, Endo, and Fujisawa city were united in 1955.

ightseeing

In Fujisawa, popular sightseeing places are Kugenuma Beach and Enoshima Island. Kugenuma Beach is the birthplace of surfing and beach volleyball in Japan. In 1964, the sailing portion of the Tokyo Olympics took place here. Enoshima also boasts an aquarium.

ister city and Friendship city

ister city

*Miami Beach, Florida, United States of America (1959)
*Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (1961)
*Windsor, Ontario, Canada (1987)
*Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea (2002)

Friendship city

*Kunming, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China (1981)

Transportation

*Route 1, to Tokyo or Kyoto
*Route 134, to Yokosuka via Kamakura, or Hiratsuka
*Route 467, to Yamato
*Tōkaidō line (rail), to Tokyo or Atami
*Odakyu line (rail), to Shinjuku
*Enoden line (rail), to Kamakura
*Sagami Railway, to Futamatagawa
*Yokohama Municipal Subway, to Azamino

Tourist Attractions

*Enoshima Island
*Grand Stage Fujisawa
*Shirahata Shrine:Shirahata Jinja is a shinto shrine, dedicated to Samukawahiko-no-Mikoto and Minamoto no Yoshitsune. There are two portable shrines, Yoshitsune and Benkei. Yoshitsune and Benkei were famous persons in the Kamakura period mentioned in The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict.
*Yugyo-ji - Center temple of Ji-shu Buddhism.
*Kugenuma Beach
*The Ruin of Oba Castle

Religion

*Amazing Grace Church is a non-denominational Christian church
*Fujisawa Baptist Church founded in 1962
*United Church of Christ in Fujisawa is a Protestant church

External links

* [http://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/ Official website] in Japanese, [http://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/introduce/english/ Official website] in English

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