Population 88,068 (Dec 2016) | Phone number 0550-83-1212 Local time Friday 7:50 PM | |
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Weather 3°C, Wind NE at 3 km/h, 95% Humidity Points of interest Fuji Five Lakes, Chichibunomiya Memorial Park, Fujihakkei Hot Spring, Otome Pass, Shasui Falls |
Gotemba shizuoka peace pagoda
Gotemba (御殿場市, Gotenba-shi, sometimes Gotenba) is a city on the southeastern flank of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Contents
- Gotemba shizuoka peace pagoda
- Map of Gotenba Shizuoka Prefecture Japan
- Geography
- Surrounding municipalities
- History
- Economy
- Railways
- Highways
- Sister cities
- Notable people
- References
Map of Gotenba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
The city, which covers an area of 194.9 square kilometres (75.3 sq mi), had an estimated population in December 2016 of 88,068, giving a population density of 452 persons per km2. The Peace Pagoda built in 1964 by Nipponzan-Myōhōji-Daisanga is a noted symbol of the city.
Geography
Located in far eastern Shizuoka Prefecture at an altitude of 250–600 metres (820–1,970 ft), Gotemba has a cool climate, characterized by high rainfall (average 3,433 millimetres [135.2 in] per year).
Surrounding municipalities
History
Gotemba was the site of a shōen belonging to Ise Shrine in the Heian period. During the Edo period the area was part of Odawara Domain. After the start of the Meiji period, it became part of Shizuoka Domain until the abolition of the han system in 1871 and the establishment of Shizuoka Prefecture. The opening of Gotemba Station on what was then the Tōkaidō Main Line on February 1, 1889, spurred development of the area. In the cadastral reform of April 1, 1889, Gotemba Town was created within Suntō District, along with Fujioka Village, Harasato Village, Ino Village, Tamaho Village, and Takane Village.
However, the opening of the Tanna Tunnel on December 1, 1934, resulted in the route of Tōkaidō Main Line shifting south to Atami, leaving Gotemba on the spur Gotemba Line, which resulted in temporary depopulation. During the pre-war era, Gotemba was a major base area for the Imperial Japanese Army, and still houses military facilities and a large training area for the modern Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force and the United States Marine Corps.
Gotemba was elevated to city status on February 11, 1955, through the merger of Gotemba Town with neighboring Fujioka Village, Harasato Village, Ino Village, and Tamaho Village. The city expanded through annexation of Takane Village on January 1, 1956 and the Furusawa District of Oyama Town on September 1, 1957. The Gotemba Interchange on the Tōmei Expressway was completed on May 25, 1969.
Economy
Gotemba has a mixed economy. Agriculture has traditionally been dominated by rice, irrigated by water from Mount Fuji, and has been supplemented by the growing of various green vegetables and the raising of pigs. Development of light industries, especially in food processing and electronics has profited through Gotemba's location on the Tōmei Expressway, and Gotemba is noted for a number of golf courses and a spacious outlet shopping center.
Retailing company Chelsea Japan rented former Gotemba Family Land Amusement Park, and officially opened in July 2000 as Gotemba Premium Outlets.