Hanyū (羽生市) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 54,304 in 23,487 households and a population density of 930 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 58.64 sqkm.

Geography

Hanyū is located in the most northern part of Saitama Prefecture, with the Tone River on its northern border. Before the river was redirected to its current course to control flooding, it used to flow through the city. This river was used as a major shipping route for locally produced textiles and goods from further up river. Hanyū flourished as a stopping point on the long ride toward Tokyo. Today only an irrigation channel remains in the approximate location of the original river path.

Surrounding municipalities

Gunma Prefecture Saitama Prefecture

Climate

Hanyū has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hanyū is 14.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1300 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.4 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Hanyū peaked in around the year 2000 and has declined slightly over the past 20 years.

History

The village of Hanyū was created within Kitasaitama District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On September 1, 1954 Hanyū merged with the neighboring villages of Shingō, Sukage, Iwase, Kawamata, Iizumi, and Tegobayashi and was elevated to city status. The village of Chiyoda was annexed on April 1, 1959.

Government

Hanyū has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members. Hanyū contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Traditional industries of Hanyū included textile dying and clothing production. The area was famous of its indigo production in the Edo period. Akebono Brake Industry is headquartered in Hanyū.

Education

Transportation

Railway

Tobu Railway - Tobu Isesaki Line Chichibu Railway – Chichibu Main Line

Highways

Local attractions

Sister cities