Kizugawa (木津川市) is a city located in southern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city has an estimated population of 79,866 in 33183 households and a population density of 940 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 85.12 sqkm.

Geography

Kizugawa City is located on the southern border of Kyoto Prefecture. The city consists of a plain area formed along the curving Kizugawa River in the western part of the city area, gentle hills that form the edge of the plain, and mountains to the north and southeast. In addition, the eastern part of the Kamo district is dotted with enclaves of Kasagi town. It is located approximately 30 to 40 km from the centers of Kyoto City and Osaka City, and approximately 8 km from the center of Nara City.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Kizugawa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kizugawa is 14.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1356 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 32.8 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kizugawa has grown in recent decades. In a population estimate released by the Japan Policy Council, Kizugawa City is the only municipality in Kyoto Prefecture predicted to have a positive population growth rate by 2040.

History

The area of Kizukawa was part of ancient Yamashiro Province. During the Nara period, it prospered as a port for transporting lumber as part of the construction of capital cities such as Heijō-kyō. Kuni-kyō, was the capital city of Japan between 740 and 744 under Emperor Shōmu was located in what is now the Kamo neighborhood of Kizukawa. The village of Kizukawa in Sōraku District, Kyoto, was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on November 22, 1893, and was elevated to city status on March 12, 2007, after merging with the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro (all from Sōraku District).

Government

Kizugawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Kizugawa, collectively with the municipalities of Sōraku District contributes two members to the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kyoto 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Kizugawa is a part of the Kansai Science City project and houses research facilities of over 20 enterprises and research facilities including: Other public and private research organizations in Kizugawa City include:

Local attractions

Kizugawa City is the home of several famous temples including: Other attractions include:

Education

Kizugawa has 13 public elementary schools and five public junior high schools operated by city government and two public high schools operated by the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private elementary school and one private junior high school. Doshisha University's Gakkentoshi Campus, which focuses on graduate studies in biomedicine, and Doshisha International School, Kyoto (DISK) are also located in Kizugawa.

High schools

Junior high schools

Elementary schools

Transportation

Railways

JR West - Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) JR West - Katamachi Line (Gakkentoshi Line) JR West - Nara Line

• Kintetsu Railway Kyoto Line

Highways

Notable people from Kizugawa

Sister cities