Unzen (雲仙市) is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 40,831 in 17709 households, and a population density of 190 people per km2. The total area of the town is 214.31 km2.

Geography

Unzen is located on the northern tip of Shimabara Peninsula, facing Ariake Bay in the east and Mount Unzen to the south. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Unzen-Amakusa National Park.

Neighbouring municipalities

Nagasaki

Climate

Unzen has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Unzen is 16,6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2115 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.7 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Unzen is as shown below:

History

The area of Unzen was part of ancient Hizen Province. During the Edo Period, the area was mostly under the control of Shimabara Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Tabira, Doguro, Jindai, Furube, Ifuku, Saigo, Moriyama, Yamada Aino, Chijiwa, Obama, Kuchiyama and Minamikushiyama were established in Minamitakaki District, Nagasaki with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The city of Unzen was established on October 11, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Aino, Azuma, Chijiwa, Kunimi, Minamikushiyama, Mizuho and Obama (all from Minamitakaki District).

Government

Unzen has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 19 members. Unzen contributes two members to the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Nagasaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Unzen has a mixed economy of agriculture, commercial fishing, and tourism to its many hot spring resorts.

Education

Unzen has 17 public elementary schools and seven public junior high schools by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Nagasaki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railways

Shimabara Railway - Shimabara Railway Line

Highways

Local attractions

Festivals

Tachibana Park in Chijiwa hosts the Kanoukaen first festival on the final Saturday of March.