Country Japan Prefecture Tokushima Prefecture Local time Sunday 4:26 PM | Region Shikoku Population 264,548 (2010) | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) City hall address 2-5 Saiwai, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima-ken
770-8571 Website www.city.tokushima.tokushima.jp Weather 12°C, Wind NW at 18 km/h, 50% Humidity Colleges and Universities University of Tokushima, Tokushima Bunri University, Shikoku University | ||
Tokushima (徳島市, Tokushima-shi, [tòkúꜜshìmà]) is the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island in Japan.
Contents
- Map of Tokushima Tokushima Prefecture Japan
- World War II air raid
- Culture
- Climate
- Education
- Rivers
- Sister cities
- References
Map of Tokushima, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan
As of October 1, 2016, the city had an estimated population of 258,237 and a population density of 1,400 persons per km². Its total area is 191.23 km². The city is situated in the north-eastern part of Tokushima Prefecture at the mouth of the Yoshino River. In terms of layout and organization, Tokushima displays the typical characteristics of a Japanese castle town. Tokushima was developed under the Hachisuka clan. Its prosperity was built on a strong indigo dye industry.
The modern city of Tokushima was founded on October 1, 1889. At the time, it was the 10th largest city in Japan. The city is served by Tokushima Airport (recently renamed to Awa Odori Airport), in nearby Matsushige.
World War II air raid
Tokushima was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command during World War II because of the city's role as an agricultural center for the region. On July 3, 1945 at 5:45 PM (JST) 137 aircraft took off to bomb Tokushima. 1,050 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Tokushima, destroying 74% of the built up areas of the city.
Culture
Every August, during the Obon Festival, Tokushima holds a cultural dance festival, the Awa Odori. Awa Odori literally translates as "Awa Dance" (Awa being Tokushima Prefecture's ancient name). During the festival, residents ranging from young children to professional dance troupes perform a distinctive style of Japanese traditional dance in regional costumes, accompanied by strings, drums, and singing (usually by the dancers themselves).
Climate
Tokushima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high, but there is a pronounced difference between the wetter summers and drier winters.