Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi

Infobox City Japan
Name= Fujiyoshida
JapaneseName= 富士吉田市
Map

Region= Chūbu
Prefecture= Yamanashi
District=
Area_km2= 121.83
PopDate= 2006
Population= 53,892
Density_km2= 438.75
Coords=
LatitudeDegrees= 35
LatitudeMinutes= 29
LatitudeSeconds=
LongtitudeDegrees= 138
LongtitudeMinutes= 48
LongtitudeSeconds=
Tree= White Birch
Flower= Fujizakura
Bird=
Symbol

SymbolDescription=
Mayor= Toshio Kayanuma
CityHallPostalCode= 403-8601
CityHallAddress= 1842 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi-ken
CityHallPhone= 0555-24-1236
CityHallLink= [http://www.city.fujiyoshida.fujiyoshida.jp/ City of Fujiyoshida]

nihongo|Fujiyoshida|富士吉田市|Fujiyoshida-shi is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, in the center of the Japanese main island of Honshū.

Geography

It is considered a high-elevation city in Japan, at 2,140 to 2,800 feet above sea level. The city is also located between two of the five Fuji Lakes.

Geology

Fujiyoshida was founded on March 20, 1951. The city rests at the base of majestic Mount Fuji, and is built upon old lava flows.

Industry

For several centuries, artisans around the Fujiyoshida area have produced high quality textiles, and now the city is the center of commerce and high technology in southern Yamanashi Prefecture.

Tourism

Fujiyoshida is the largest city on the North Slope of Mount Fuji and features access to historical sites, amusement parks, hot springs, access to hiking and camping in the Fuji Five Lakes system, and is the traditional Northern gateway to climbing Mount Fuji.

Historical sites

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja (北口本宮浅間神社)- A Shinto shrine dedicated to Mount Fuji, Fuji Sengen Jinja is the historical starting point for pilgrims climbing the mountain. The main structure was originally built in 788 and underwent reconstruction in the 17th century. Additional buildings include a shrine dedicated to Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeda_Shingen] , and a red torii gate at the entrance. This gate is taken down and rebuilt every "Fuji Year" (60 years).

hrine events

Fire Festival

Opening and closing ceremonies for the annual Fujiyoshida "Himatsuri", or Fire Festival, on August 26th and 27th of every year. The Fire Festival is labeled one of Japan's three most uniquesic festivals.

Climbing

A ceremony on June 30/July 1 marks the opening of the Mount Fuji climbing season.

Noh

In August, the shrine plays host to a performance of traditional Noh theater. In the autumn, sacred deer, which live on the shrine grounds, receive a ritualistic shearing of their antlers. This ceremony is performed by a Shinto priest.

Local History Museum

A display of items from Fujiyoshida's past including household items, farm implements, clothing and samples of the cities' famous textiles. Also features recreated Edo period households.

Attractions

Fuji-Q Highland- An amusement park with a variety of attractions suitable for adults and children. Home to the one of the world's fastest rollercoasters.

Mt. Fuji Visitors Center- Features interactive displays, videos, books and guides about Mount Fuji.

Mt. Fuji Radar Dome Museum A tribute to the meteorologists who built a radar research facility at the summit of Mt. Fuji. Features a room which simulates the conditions at the summit of the mountain.

Chureito Peace Pagoda- Built on a hilltop facing Mt. Fuji, Chureito offers an excellent view of the mountain and is a popular place to take photographs.

ister cities

Sister Cities of Fujiyoshida include Colorado Springs, Colorado and the city of Chamonix-Mont Blanc, France. All three cities are related by famous mountains: Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Mont Blanc in Chamonix, and Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida.

*flagicon|United States Colorado Springs

Fujiyoshida and Colorado Springs entered into a sister city relationship in 1962. Fujiyoshida presented a "torii" gate to Colorado Springs to commemorate the friendship between the two cities, which was erected in downtown Colorado Springs, and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Reciprocal mayoral visits occurred in 2002 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sister cities.

Every August, the City of Fujiyoshida sends sixteen students from local junior high schools and two chaperones to Colorado Springs for ten days. Chaperones are chosen among employees of Fujiyoshida City Hall and teachers. Group activities include tours to the top of Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods City Park, and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

*flagicon|France Chamonix-Mont Blanc

Fujiyoshida became sister cities with the city of Chamonix-Mont Blanc, France in 1978. Since then, the two cities have enjoyed numerous exchange activities including the Double Summit Challenge in 2005, an event where citizens of the two sister cities climbed the summits of their respective mountain peaks: Mt. Fuji and Mont Blanc.

External links

*ja icon [http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/ Fujiyoshida official website]
**en icon [http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/index.html English version]
*en icon [http://www.pdmz.com/udon.html PDMZ.com's pictures & reviews of Fujiyoshida's Famous Udon Shops]