Saku (佐久市) is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 97,454 in 41,522 households, and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is 423.51 sqkm.

Geography

Saku is located in east-central Nagano Prefecture in the Saku Basin of the upper reaches of the Shinano River. The city claims the distinction of containing the point furthest from the sea within Honshu island (actually this point lies within the former town of Usuda). Since the opening of Sakudaira Station on the Nagano Shinkansen, many people commute to Tokyo, which is one hour away.

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Dwa). The average annual temperature in Saku is 10.9 C. The average annual rainfall is 964.0 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.7 C, and lowest in January, at around -1.6 C.

History

Saku is located in former Shinano Province, and by the Sengoku period it was home to the Ochiai clan, a samurai family that sided with Uesugi Kenshin during his conflict with Takeda Shingen in the 1550s. The Ochiai clan consequently fought for the Uesugi during the Siege of Katsurayama in March 1557; all Ochiai members who took part in the battle were killed in combat or committed suicide. During the Edo period the area of Saku developed as the castle town of Tatsuoka Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate and as a post town. Following the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Saku District, with the town of Asama, and the village of Higashi (from Kitasaku District) merging with the towns of Nozawa and Nakagomi (both from Minamisaku District) to create the city of Saku. On April 1, 2005 Saku absorbed the town of Usuda (from Minamisaku District), the town of Mochizuki, and the village of Asashina (both from Kitasaku District).

Former town of Asama area in Kitasaku District

Former village of Higashi area in Kitasaku District

Former town of Nozawa area in Minamisaku District

Former town of Nakagomi area in Minamisaku District

Former village of Asashina area in Kitasaku District

Former town of Mochizuki area in Kitasaku District

(※The town of Mochizuki was once dissolved since March 31, 1889)

Former town of Usuda area in Minamisaku District

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Saku has remained relatively steady over the past 60 years.

Government

Saku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members.

Economy

The economy of Saku is largely agricultural, with rice, and carp fish farming as major components. The manufacturing sector includes electronics.

Education

Universities and colleges

Primary and secondary education

Saku has 17 public elementary schools and 7 public middle school operated by the city government, and one private middle school. There are five public high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

External relations

Notable people from Saku, Nagano

Local attractions