Country Area 1,256.25 km2 | Region Tohoku Population 118,578 (2010) | |
Ichinoseki (, Ichinoseki-shi) is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2014, the city had an estimated population of 123,252 and a population density of 98.1 persons per km², with the total area of 1,256.25 km². It is currently the second largest city by population in the prefecture, after Morioka.
Contents
Map of Ichinoseki, Iwate
Geography
The City of Ichinoseki is located in the far south region of Iwate Prefecture, bordered by Miyagi Prefecture to the south.
History
The area of present-day Ichinoseki was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Japanese Paleolithic period. The area was inhabited by the Emishi people, and came under the control of the Yamato dynasty during the early Heian period. During the Heian period, it was controlled by the Abe clan, followed by the Northern Fujiwara clan of Hiraizumi. During the Sengoku period, the area was dominated by various samurai clans before coming under the control of the Date clan during the Edo period, who ruled Sendai Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate.
The town of Ichinoseki was established within Nishiiwai District, Iwate on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the municipality system.
Local attractions
Ichinoseki is in close proximity to the historically significant site of Hiraizumi, which lies adjacent to the mid-northern border of the city. Ichinoseki station is a convenient transit hub for excursions to Hiraizumi, with access to Tohoku Shinkansen and local rail lines. Tsuriyama Park lies near the center of the original city of Ichinoseki. Atop Tsuriyama Park a panorama of the City of Ichinoseki is accessible. Geibikei is a dramatic river gorge which offers rides in traditional flat-bottomed boats, navigated by singing "gondoliers". Alternatively, Genbikei is another popular river area with naturally carved cliffs. The Hondera Farm Village has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape.