# Katsuyama, Fukui

Katsuyama (勝山市, Katsuyama-shi) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 May 2018, the city has an estimated population of 23,527, with 7,973 households, and a population density of 93 persons per km$^2$. The total area of the city was 253.88 square kilometres (98.02 sq mi). Katsuyama was the ninth-best ranking city in a ranking that compared health and sanitation in cities around the world published in April 2007.

## Geography

Katsuyama is located in the Katsuyama Basin of far northern Fukui Prefecture, bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the north, and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The Kuzuryū River flows through part of the city. Parts of the city are within the borders of Hakusan National Park.

### Neighbouring municipalities

* Fukui Prefecture
** Eiheiji
** Fukui
** Ōno
** Sakai
* Ishikawa Prefecture
** Hakusan
** Kaga
** Komatsu

### Climate

Katsuyama has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Katsuyama is 13.3 °C (55.9 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,281.5 mm (89.82 in) with July 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 1.1 °C (34.0 °F).
Climate data for Katsuyama (1993−2020 normals, extremes 1993−present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.2 (61.2) | 17.3 (63.1) | 22.6 (72.7) | 29.4 (84.9) | 33.8 (92.8) | 34.7 (94.5) | 36.7 (98.1) | 36.8 (98.2) | 35.5 (95.9) | 29.7 (85.5) | 25.0 (77.0) | 22.0 (71.6) | 36.8 (98.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4.6 (40.3) | 5.7 (42.3) | 10.5 (50.9) | 17.1 (62.8) | 22.5 (72.5) | 25.7 (78.3) | 29.3 (84.7) | 31.0 (87.8) | 26.8 (80.2) | 21.1 (70.0) | 14.6 (58.3) | 7.7 (45.9) | 18.1 (64.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 1.1 (34.0) | 1.6 (34.9) | 5.3 (41.5) | 11.5 (52.7) | 17.1 (62.8) | 20.9 (69.6) | 24.7 (76.5) | 26.0 (78.8) | 21.8 (71.2) | 15.7 (60.3) | 9.7 (49.5) | 3.8 (38.8) | 13.3 (55.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.7 (28.9) | −1.9 (28.6) | 0.7 (33.3) | 6.1 (43.0) | 11.9 (53.4) | 16.8 (62.2) | 21.2 (70.2) | 22.0 (71.6) | 17.8 (64.0) | 11.4 (52.5) | 5.4 (41.7) | 0.6 (33.1) | 9.2 (48.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −9.1 (15.6) | −9.8 (14.4) | −6.9 (19.6) | −2.9 (26.8) | 2.2 (36.0) | 8.9 (48.0) | 14.7 (58.5) | 14.0 (57.2) | 8.2 (46.8) | 1.9 (35.4) | −1.7 (28.9) | −8.0 (17.6) | −9.8 (14.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 224.5 (8.84) | 138.4 (5.45) | 154.2 (6.07) | 150.0 (5.91) | 159.7 (6.29) | 180.0 (7.09) | 291.4 (11.47) | 195.6 (7.70) | 195.0 (7.68) | 148.4 (5.84) | 180.0 (7.09) | 260.2 (10.24) | 2,281.5 (89.82) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 21.1 | 16.2 | 15.6 | 12.4 | 11.6 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 10.0 | 12.2 | 11.8 | 14.9 | 21.3 | 172.5 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 67.1 | 89.3 | 125.0 | 163.8 | 185.5 | 142.2 | 141.8 | 191.2 | 141.1 | 149.1 | 114.9 | 74.6 | 1,585.6 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Katsuyama has been declining over the past 50 years.

## History

Katsuyama is part of ancient Echizen Province. During the Edo period, the area was divided between the holdings of Echizen-Katsuyama Domain, Fukui Domain, Ōno Domain, and Gujō Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organised into part of Ōno District in Fukui Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Katsuyama was established. It annexed the village of Inose on April 15, 1931, On September 1, 1954, Katsuyama merged with the villages of Arado, Muraoka, Kitago, Kitadani, Shikadani, Osoha, Heisen-ji and Nomuki to form the city of Katsuyama.

## Government

Katsuyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members.

## Economy

The economy of Katsuyama is primarily agricultural.

## Education

Katsuyama has nine public elementary schools and three middle schools operated by the city government, and one combined private elementary/middle school. The city has one public high school operated by the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school.

## Transportation
### Railway

* Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line
** Hota - Hossaka - Hishima - Katsuyama

### Highway

* Hokuriku Expressway
* National Route 416
* National Route 265

## International relations

* Aspen, Colorado, United States, friendship city

## Local attractions

* Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
* Heisenji Hakusan Jinja
* Katsuyama Castle

## Notable people from Katsuyama

* Unshō Ishizuka, voice actor
* Genichiro Tenryu, Japanese Former Professional Wrestler
* Akane Yamaguchi, Japanese badminton player