Itabashi, Tokyo

Japanese city
Name=Itabashi
JapaneseName=板橋区
Prefecture=Tokyo
Region=Kantō
Area_km2=32.17
Population=531,793
PopDate=2008
Density_km2=16270
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LatitudeDegrees= 35
LatitudeMinutes= 46
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LongtitudeDegrees= 139
LongtitudeMinutes= 41
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Area code=
Mayor =
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CityHallLink = [http://www.city.itabashi.tokyo.jp/ Itabashi] | City

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nihongo|Itabashi|板橋区|Itabashi-ku is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Itabashi City. Itabashi has sister-city relations with Burlington, Ontario in Canada; Shijingshan District in Beijing, People's Republic of China; and Bologna in Italy.

As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 531,793 and a density of 16,270 persons per km². The total area is 32.17 km².

Geography

Itabashi lies on the Kantō plain. The Arakawa, a major river, forms part of the boundary with Saitama Prefecture. Surrounding the ward are, in Saitama, the cities of Wako and Toda; and in Tokyo, the wards of Nerima, Toshima, and Kita.

History

The name of the ward means "plank bridge" and derives from the wooden span over the Shakujii River that dates from the Heian period. Such a bridge was remarkable at the time, and the name has lasted since. In the Edo period, the Nakasendō crossed the nearby Shimo Itabashi, and the name came to apply to that area as well. Itabashi was one of the Four Edo Post Towns, and travellers first lodged there after leaving the shogunal capital. The Kaga domain had a mansion there. The shogunate maintained the Itabashi execution grounds at Itabashi.

On October 1, 1932, nine towns and villages of Kita-Toshima District merged and became part of Tokyo City as Itabashi Ward. It became a special ward May 3, 1947. On August 1 of that year, Nerima was split off from Itabashi.

Education

Universities

Itabashi is home to four universities. Tokyo Kasei University has a campus in the Kaga neighborhood. Also in Kaga is the main campus of Teikyo University. Daito Bunka University has one campus in Takashima-daira, and another in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama. The fourth is the medical college of Nihon University.

Public schools

Public elementary and middle schools are operated by the Itabashi Board of Education.

Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.
*Itabashi High School [http://www.itabashi-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Itabashi Yutoku High School [http://www.itabashiyutoku-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Kitatoshima Technical High School [http://www.kitatoshimakogyo-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Kitazono High School [http://www.kitazono-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Ohyama High School [http://www.ohyama-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Takashima High School [http://www.takashima-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]

Points of interest

* Akatsuka Botanical Garden
* Itabashi Botanical Garden

Transportation

Rail

*East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Saikyō Line: Itabashi Station, Ukima-Funado Station
*Toei Mita Line: Shin-Itabashi, Itabashi Kuyakusho-mae, Itabashi-Honchō, Moto-Hasunuma, Shimura Sakaue, Shimura-Sanchōme, Hasune, Nishidai, Takashimadaira, Shin-Takashimadaira, Nishi-Takashimadaira Stations
*Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line: Chikatetsu Narimasu Station
*Tōbu Tōjō Line: Ōyama, Naka-Itabashi, Tokiwadai, Kami-Itabashi, Tobu-Nerima, Shimo-Akatsuka, Narimasu Stations

Some of these stations straddle the boundaries with other wards, or are within walking distance of Itabashi. The addresses of some stations are in neighboring wards. Shimo-Itabashi Station is in Toshima; Kotake Mukaihara Station and Akatsuka Subway Station are in Nerima; Ukima-Funado Station is actually in Kita.

Highway

*Shuto Expressway
**No.5 Ikebukuro Route (Takebashi JCT - Bijogi JCT)
**C2 Central Loop (Itabashi JCT - Kasai JCT)

ee also

References

External links

* [http://www.city.itabashi.tokyo.jp/index-e.htm Itabashi City Home Page] in English
* [http://www.city.itabashi.tokyo.jp/ Itabashi City Home Page] in Japanese