Nakatsu, Ōita

Nakatsu 中津市
—  City  —
Flag
Location of Nakatsu in Ōita
Nakatsu
Coordinates: 33°36′N 131°11′E / 33.6°N 131.183°E / 33.6; 131.183Coordinates: 33°36′N 131°11′E / 33.6°N 131.183°E / 33.6; 131.183
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Ōita
Government
- Mayor	Masakatsu Shingai
Area
- Total	491.09 km2 (189.6 sq mi)
Population (January 2008)
- Total	84,179
- Density	171/km2 (442.9/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Round Leaf Holly (Ilex rotunda)
- Flower	Chrysanthemum
Phone number	0979-22-1111
Address	14-3 Toyodamachi, Nakatsu-shi, Ōita-ken 871-8501
Website	Nakatsu City

Nakatsu (中津市, Nakatsu-shi^?) is a city located on the northern border of Ōita Prefecture in Kyūshū, Japan. The city is situated on the border with Fukuoka Prefecture.

The city was founded on April 20, 1929. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 84,179, with a population density of 171 people per km². The total area is 491.09 km².

Tourism

Nakatsu castle

Nakatsu is a castle town centered around Nakatsu Castle, which is open to visitors. The modernised interior comprises a museum with samurai armor, old maps and information about Rangaku (Dutch studies), for which Nakatsu was an important center in the Edo era. There are also views from the top of the castle keep.

Visitors can also see the residence of the most celebrated member of the Okudaira Clan of Nakatsu, Fukuzawa Yukichi, and the memorial hall there. It is close to the castle and 15 minutes walk from the station.

Nakatsu's Mt. Hachimen was also home to the popular music festival, Concert on the Rock.

Topography

Nakatsu City is located in the northwest corner of Ōita prefecture, Kyūshū. To the east of Nakatsu is Usa City, and to the southwest is Hita City. Nakatsu touches the border of Fukuoka Prefecture on its west. To the northeast is the Suohnada Sea. The city covers an area of 491.09 square kilometers, 80% of which is mountainous. There is a wide stretch of flat, agricultural land which begins at the mouth of Yamakuni River and extends to Mt. Hiko.

History

• Zyosui Kuroda built the original Castle in Nakatsu.
• April 1925—Oe Village is merged with Toyoda Village to become the town of Nakatsu.
• April 1919—Ogusu Village and the town of Nakatsu join to become the city of Nakatsu.
• August 1933—Tsurui, Ōhata and Josui villages merge with the growing city of Nakatsu.
• April 1951—Miho Village joins Nakatsu City.
• October 1954—Wada Village also joins.
• February 1955—Imazu Village becomes part of Nakatsu.
• March 25, 2005—Sankō Village and the towns of Hon'yabakei, Yabakei and Yamakuni all merge with Nakatsu.

See also

• James Murdoch who taught briefly in Nakatsu junior high school

External links

• Nakatsu official website in Japanese
• Concert on the Rock Official Website