Kashiwara

Kashiwara
is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 67,698 in 32007 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is .
Geography
Kashiwara is located about from central Osaka on the Yamato River,which separates it from neighboring Fujiidera. The northwestern part of the city is relatively flat, but the terrain rises to the east where the Ikoma Mountains and Mount Kongō form the border with Nara Prefecture.
Neighboring municipalities
Osaka Prefecture
Yao
Fujiidera
Habikino
Nara Prefecture
Kashiba
Ōji
Sangō
Climate
Kashiwara has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kashiwara is . The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around .
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Kashiwara has increased steadily until around the year 2000, and has since started to decline.
History
The area of the modern city of Kashiwara was within ancient Kawachi Province. Remains dating back to the Japanese Paleolithic have been found, indicating many thousands of years of continuous settlement. During the Kofun period, many burial mounds were built in Kashihara due to its location on the Yamato River connecting the Yamato Basin with the coast. During the Nara period, the Kawachi kokubunji was built. During the Edo Period, the area was mostly tenryō territory directly under control of the Tokugawa shogunate due to its strategic location. The village of Kashihara was established within Shiki District with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On April 1, 1896, the area became part of Minamikawachi District, Osaka. Kashiwara was promoted to town status on January 1, 1915. Kashiwara Town absorbed Katashimo Town and Katakami Village in 1939 and its district was changed to Nakakawachi District. The large area of Kokubu Town merged with Kashiwara Town in 1956. In 1958, Kashiwara was elevated to city status.
Government
Kashiwara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Kashiwara contributes one member to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Osaka 14th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Kashiwara was traditionally known for its dyeing industry, notably for use in yukata robes, most much of this industry has been lost to overseas competition. In terms of agriculture, the area is note for production of grapes. The modern economy is centered on light manufacturing and the city is also increasingly becoming a commuter town for the Osaka metropolis.
Education
Kashiwara has ten public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government. The city does not have a public high school, but there are two private high schools. Universities include the Osaka Kyoiku University, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences, and Kansai Women's College.
Transportation
Railway
JR West – Yamatoji Line
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Kintetsu Railway - Kintetsu Osaka Line
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Highway
Nishi-Meihan Expressway
Sister city relations
Xinxiang, Henan, China
Grosseto and Province of Grosseto, Italy
Local attractions
Takaida Cave Tombs, National Historic Site
Notable people from Kashiwara
Masahiro Doi, baseball player
Tomoyuki Tanaka, film producer
Notes
External links
Kashiwara City official website
Kashiwara City official website
Cities in Osaka Prefecture