Arai (新居町, Arai-chō) was a town located in Hamana District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Arai
新居町
Former municipality
Flag of Arai
Official seal of Arai
Location of Arai in Shizuoka Prefecture
Location of Arai in Shizuoka Prefecture
Arai is located in Japan
Arai
Arai
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°41′N 137°34′E / 34.683°N 137.567°E / 34.683; 137.567
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Tōkai)
PrefectureShizuoka Prefecture
DistrictHamana
MergedMarch 23, 2010
(now part of Kosai)
Area
 • Total18.65 km2 (7.20 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2010)
 • Total16,975
 • Density910/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Symbols
BirdBarn swallow
FlowerAzalea
TreeJapanese black pine

As of March 31, 2010, the town had an estimated population of 16,975 and a population density of 910 persons per km2. The total area was 18.65 km2.

On March 23, 2010, Arai was merged into the expanded city of Kosai and thus no longer exists as an independent municipality. Hamana District was dissolved as a result of this merger.[1]

Geography

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Arai was located at the southwest end of Shizuoka Prefecture, with part of Lake Hamana located within the town boundaries. The town was on the Enshu Sea of the Pacific Ocean, with a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.[citation needed]

History

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Arai was located in former Tōtōmi Province, and was largely tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period, when it was called Arai-juku, and prospered as a post town on the Tōkaidō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. During the cadastral reform of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into Arai Town within Fuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture. Fuchi District was merged into Hamana District in 1896.[citation needed]

Economy

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The economy of Arai was largely based on commercial fishing, edible seaweed cultivation, and fireworks production.[citation needed]

Transportation

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Highway

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Rail

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References

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  1. ^ "市町村合併情報 静岡県 <国土地理協会>". Archived from the original on 2007-07-28. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
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