Higashiizu (東伊豆町, Higashiizu-chō) is a town located in Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 June 2019, the town had an estimated population of 12,155 in 6264 households,[1] and a population density of 160 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 77.83 square kilometres (30.05 sq mi).

Higashiizu
東伊豆町
Hokkawa Onsen in Higashiizu
Hokkawa Onsen in Higashiizu
Flag of Higashiizu
Official seal of Higashiizu
Map
Location of Higashiizu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Location of Higashiizu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Higashiizu is located in Japan
Higashiizu
Higashiizu
 
Coordinates: 34°46′N 139°2′E / 34.767°N 139.033°E / 34.767; 139.033
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu
Tōkai
PrefectureShizuoka
DistrictKamo
Area
 • Total77.83 km2 (30.05 sq mi)
Population
 (June 30, 2019)
 • Total12,155
 • Density160/km2 (400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0557-95-1100
Address3354 Inatori, Higashiizu-chō, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka-ken 413-0411
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerIsobuki
TreeSakura
Higashiizu Town Hall
Atagawa Onsen in Higashiizu

Geography

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Sandwiched to the east and west between the Amagi Mountains and Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean, Higashiizu has numerous hot springs. Warmed by the warm Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. Parts of the town are within the borders of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Mount Amagi seen from Higashiizu

Neighboring municipalities

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Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Higashiizu has been in slow decline over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 10,118—    
1950 13,310+31.5%
1960 15,246+14.5%
1970 16,220+6.4%
1980 17,030+5.0%
1990 16,719−1.8%
2000 15,807−5.5%
2010 14,065−11.0%

Climate

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The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Higashiizu is 16.2 °C (61.2 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,357.6 mm (92.82 in) with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0 °C (78.8 °F), and lowest in January, at around 6.9 °C (44.4 °F).[3]

Climate data for Inatori, Higashiizu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.5
(68.9)
24.0
(75.2)
25.7
(78.3)
28.8
(83.8)
31.1
(88.0)
34.9
(94.8)
35.6
(96.1)
36.4
(97.5)
34.8
(94.6)
31.6
(88.9)
25.5
(77.9)
23.5
(74.3)
36.4
(97.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)
11.2
(52.2)
13.9
(57.0)
18.2
(64.8)
22.0
(71.6)
24.4
(75.9)
28.3
(82.9)
29.7
(85.5)
26.5
(79.7)
21.8
(71.2)
17.4
(63.3)
13.0
(55.4)
19.8
(67.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.9
(44.4)
7.2
(45.0)
10.0
(50.0)
14.2
(57.6)
18.1
(64.6)
21.0
(69.8)
24.8
(76.6)
26.0
(78.8)
23.2
(73.8)
18.7
(65.7)
14.1
(57.4)
9.5
(49.1)
16.1
(61.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0)
4.0
(39.2)
6.5
(43.7)
10.7
(51.3)
14.9
(58.8)
18.4
(65.1)
22.2
(72.0)
23.4
(74.1)
20.8
(69.4)
16.2
(61.2)
11.4
(52.5)
6.5
(43.7)
13.2
(55.8)
Record low °C (°F) −2.8
(27.0)
−4.1
(24.6)
−0.9
(30.4)
1.6
(34.9)
7.2
(45.0)
12.2
(54.0)
14.7
(58.5)
17.7
(63.9)
13.3
(55.9)
8.2
(46.8)
2.8
(37.0)
−1.6
(29.1)
−4.1
(24.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 87.1
(3.43)
123.7
(4.87)
208.1
(8.19)
236.8
(9.32)
222.9
(8.78)
298.1
(11.74)
281.8
(11.09)
183.8
(7.24)
249.8
(9.83)
227.1
(8.94)
153.8
(6.06)
84.7
(3.33)
2,357.6
(92.82)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 6.8 7.3 11.0 10.7 11.1 13.6 11.9 8.8 11.8 11.2 8.8 7.3 120.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 189.4 180.5 182.9 194.0 192.1 130.1 165.8 218.8 167.9 161.1 167.1 189.5 2,139.1
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[4][3]

History

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During the Edo period, all of Izu Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the area now comprising Higashiizu Town consisted of 5 villages (Inatori, Naramoto, Shirata, Katase, and Ōkawa). With the establishment of the modern municipalities system in the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into two villages (Inatori and Jōtō) with Kamo District. Inatori was elevated in status of that of a town in December 1920. The town of Higashiizu was founded on May 3, 1959 through the merger of the town of Inatori with the village of Jōtō.

Economy

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The economy of Higashiizu is dominated by tourism centered on the hot spring resort industry, and by commercial fishing.

Education

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Higashiizu has three public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

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Railway

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Highway

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Local attractions

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References

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  1. ^ Higashiizu Town official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Higashiizu population statistics
  3. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  4. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
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