Katsuura, Chiba

Katsuura(勝浦市,Katsuura-shi)is acitylocated inChiba Prefecture,Japan. As of 30 November 2020, the city had an estimatedpopulationof  16,872 in 8566 households and apopulation densityof 180 persons per km.The total area of the city is 94.20 square kilometres (36.37 sq mi). Katsuura City is famous for Katsuura Fishing Port, which features one of the top three largest morning markets in Japan.
Katsuura is located on the southeast coast of Chiba Prefecture in the approximate center of theBōsō Peninsula, approximately 55 kilometers from the prefectural capital atChibaand within 70 to 80 kilometers of downtown Tokyo. It is bordered by thePacific Oceanto the east.Cape Hachimanjuts prominently into the Pacific Ocean and features lushsub-tropicalvegetation.Two-thirds of the city is mountainous and the rolling peaks of theBōsō Hill Rangegive way to sandy hills closer to the coast. Parts of the city are within theMinami Bōsō Quasi-National Park.
Chiba Prefecture
Katsuura features ahumid subtropical climate(Köppen climate classificationCfa) due to its proximity to theKuroshio Current.Summersandwintersare relatively mild and have a narrow annualtemperaturerange. Katsuura, along withChōshi City, has the coolest summers in Chiba Prefecture. August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 25.9 °C (79 °F), and some days exceed 30 °C (86 °F) degrees. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 6.8 °C (44 °F).
Per Japanese census data,the population of Katsuura has been gradually decreasing over the past 70 years and is now less than it was a century ago.
The area around Katsuura was part ofIsumi Districtof formerKazusa Province. During theEdo period, most of the area wastenryōunder direct control of theTokugawa shogunateand administered byhatamotoretainers. Katsuura Village was founded on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The name originated from a location of the same name in theKii Peninsula. Katsuura was elevated to town status on March 12, 1890. On April 1, 1937, it expanded through annexation of neighboring Toyohama Village. On February 11, 1955, it expanded further through merger with the neighboring town of Okitsu, and the villages of Ueno and Sono. Katsuura was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958.
In August 1931 the English aviatorFrancis Chichestercrashed his seaplane at Katsuura, hitting cables while doing a demonstration flight for the populace. A local crowd pulled him from the wreckage, and he was healed of serious injuries at a nearby hospital.
Katsuura has amayor-councilform of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameralcity council of 14 members. Katsuura contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part ofChiba 11th districtof thelower houseof theDiet of Japan.
Katsuura is historically known as a fishing port, and currently has the second largest catch in Chiba Prefecture after Chōshi City. There are nine active fishing ports in Katsuura, with the Port of Katsuura being the largest. The catch ofkatsuobonitoin 1990 was the largest ever recorded in Japan.Tourismis also important to the economy, and the town has facilities for public beaches, golfing and other leisure activities. Katsuura is home to small-scalesakeproduction, andkoshihikaririce,blueberries,kiwifruit, andshiitakemushroomsare also produced in the area.
Katsuura has five public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the city government. The city does not have a high school.
JR East–Sotobō Line