Kashiwara
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 Nara Prefecture 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 dying 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