Okazaki, Aichi
|
|
Okazaki (岡崎市; -shi) is a city located in the Mikawa region of Aichi, Japan.
| Contents |
City Facts and Demographics
As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 355,000, of which approximately 9,500 are resident foreign nationals. The density is approximately 1,522.18 persons per km². The total area is 226.97 km². The city is centred around Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of the Tokugawa Ieyasu (also Tokugawa Ieyasu).
The city was founded on July 1, 1916, and designated as a Japanese Core City (中核市; chūkakushi) in April 2003. On January 1, 2006, Okazaki will annex the neighboring town of Nukata-chō. (See also 市町村合併; shichōsongappei.) Okazaki maintains sister city relationships with 3 foreign cities: Newport Beach, California, in the United States; Uddevalla in southern Sweden; Huhhot (or Hohhot;呼和浩特), Inner Mongolia in the People's Republic of China.
History
Culture in Present-Day Okazaki
- The Okazaki City Museum, also caled the Mindscape Museum, featuring exhibitions focusing on the mind and soul of humanity, is thought to be the first of its kind.
- The World Children's Art Museum in Okazaki is also a rarity, featuring not only art created for children, but also a variety of works that the world's great artists created during their childhoods.
Products and Industries
Okazaki is well known for the production of Mikawa Fireworks, and is said to be the first place in Japan to have produced fireworks. Today, the Okazaki Summer Festival Fireworks Show is one of the largest production of its kind in Japan. Okazaki's stonemasonry and Hatchō miso are also well-known throughout Japan.
Recent Developments
Okazaki has been actively involved in the Aichi EXPO 2005, hosting and participating in a variety of events with its partner countries: Argentina, Sweden and Zambia. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Okazaki in April 2005.
Missing image
Okazaki1.jpg
Image:Okazaki1.jpg
Missing image
Okazaki2.jpg
Image:Okazaki2.jpg
External links
- Official website (http://www.city.okazaki.aichi.jp/) in Japanese (with link to English pages)
- Okazaki International Association website (with link to English pages) (http://www.city.okazaki.aichi.jp/oia)