Mukō, Kyoto

Mukō 向日
—  City  —
Location of Mukō in Kyoto
Mukō
Coordinates: 34°57′N 135°42′E / 34.95°N 135.7°E / 34.95; 135.7Coordinates: 34°57′N 135°42′E / 34.95°N 135.7°E / 34.95; 135.7
Country	Japan
Prefecture	Kyoto
Government
- Mayor	Kushima Tsutomu
Area
- Total	7.67 km2 (3 sq mi)
Population (2008)
- Total	55,031
- Density	6.977/km2 (18.1/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Sakura, Bamboo
- Flower	Sunflower, Azalea
Website	City of Mukō

Mukō (向日市, Mukō-shi^?) is a city located in Kyoto, Japan.

As of 2008, the city had an estimated population of 55,031 and the density of 6,977.57 persons per km². The total area is 7.67 km².

The city was founded on October 1, 1972. Its neighbor cities are Kyoto and Nagaokakyō.

Mukō has been a sister city to Saratoga, California, USA since 1983.

History

At the end of the 8th century, Emperor Kammu moved his capital from Nara to Nagaokakyō. The new capital encompassed a large part of modern Muko, where modern research has revealed the palace to have been located. In the south, it also included parts of Nagaokakyō. In 794, because of the location's moist temperature and reputation as a breeding ground for disease, Kammu relocated his capital from Nagaoka to Heian, now known as Kyoto.

Politics and government

Mukō city hall.

Mukō is governed by the mayor Tsutomu Kushima, an independent. The city assembly has 24 members. In 2007 the Japanese Communist Party had a strong presence in local politics with eight members in the assembly.

Sister cities

• Saratoga, California, USA
• Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Elections

• Mukō city assembly election, 2007

Facilities

Mukomachi Saty Center

Mukomachi Saty is a six-level shopping center with car parking located approximately 170 metres (a three minute walk) from Higashi Muko station on Hankyu Kyoto line and 630 metres (an eight minute walk) from JR Mukomachi station.

There is an Aeon Department Store, a Japanese restaurant and a casual dining area. A specialty tea stand on the first floor sells a variety of tea from around Japan.

External links

Media related to Mukō, Kyoto at Wikimedia Commons

• Mukō official website (Japanese)