Country Japan Prefecture Chiba Prefecture Population 64,079 (1 Feb 2016) | Region Kanto - Tree Sazanka | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) - Flower Ōmatsuyoigusa (Oenothera erythrosepala) Weather 5°C, Wind NW at 6 km/h, 66% Humidity University Chiba Institute of Science Points of interest Inubōsaki Lighthouse, Cape Inubō, Inubosaki Marine Park Aqu, Kimigahamashiosai Park, Byōbugaura | ||
Chōshi (銚子市, Chōshi-shi) is a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 64,097 and a population density of 813 persons per km². The total area was 84.19 km2 (32.5 sq mi).
Contents
- Map of Choshi Chiba Prefecture Japan
- Geography
- Neighboring municipalities
- Climate
- History
- Attack on Chshi during WWII
- Economy
- Education
- Railway
- Highways
- Local attractions
- Twin towns Sister cities
- Notable people from Chshi
- References
Map of Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Geography
Chōshi is the easternmost city in the Greater Tokyo Area, and Cape Inubō, within the city, is the easternmost point in the Kantō region. Chōshi is noted for its dramatic sea coast.
Neighboring municipalities
Chiba Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
Climate
Chōshi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, although the winter months are slightly drier.
History
The commercial fishing and soy sauce industries were developed in Chōshi by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Their development continued in the early industrialization of Japan in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). Noted soy sauce producer Yamasa Corporation was incorporated in 1928, and Higeta Corporation in 1932. Chōshi was elevated to city status on February 11, 1933. Chōshi was a center of industrial unrest in the early 20th century; there were numerous strikes and labor disputes at the soy sauce factories, and residents attacked the government offices in 1930 over heavy taxation and unaccounted expenditures by municipal authorities.
Attack on Chōshi during WWII
Chōshi was an important military target during World War II due to its fishing industry and canneries. Before and during the war, Choshi was Tokyo's main food supplier. The first air raid on Chōshi by USAAF B-29 Superfortress bombers took place on March 10, 1945 causing minor damage. This was followed by the Chōshi Air Raid of July 19, 1945, during which time over 150 B-29s rained bombs on the city, destroying 33.8% of the urban area, killing 1181 civilians and destroying 5142 homes. The city was bombed again on August 1, 1945. Emperor Hirohito made an official visit to the ruined city on June 6, 1946 after the surrender of Japan.
Economy
Chōshi is known as a center of soy sauce production. Production methods were introduced to Chōshi in 1616 from Settsu Province, and later from Kii Province, both near the Seto Inland Sea. Soy sauce manufacturers Higeta and Yamasa are based in Chōshi. The Port of Kashima in nearby Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is utilized to import soybeans for use in soy sauce production. The remains of soybeans not used in soy sauce production in Chōshi are returned to Kashima for production into feed for livestock.
The city is home to the Chōshi Fishing Port. Its catches of sardines, bonito, and tuna are the largest in Chiba Prefecture.Wind power is actively being developed off the rugged coast of Chōshi for use in the city and the greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Amber is also found in the area.
Education
Railway
Highways
Local attractions
Chōshi is home to Inubōsaki Lighthouse, completed in 1874 by Scotsman Richard Henry Brunton, as well as numerous historic temples, including Enpuku-ji and Mangan-ji.
Twin towns – Sister cities
Chōshi has two sister cities: