Fujisawa, Kanagawa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Fujisawa City**
**藤沢市**
Fujisawa City's location in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area	69.51 km² (26.84 sq mi)
Population (as of 2003)
Total	394,990
Location	35°20′8″N 139°29′36″E / 35.33556, 139.49333Coordinates: 35°20′8″N 139°29′36″E / 35.33556, 139.49333
Symbols
Tree	Japanese Black Pine
Flower	Wistaria
Bird	European Kingfisher
Flag
Fujisawa City Government Office
Mayor	Katsuo Yamamoto
Official website: Fujisawa City

Enoshima Island

Fujisawa (藤沢市, Fujisawa-shi^?) is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 394,990 and the density of 5,682.49 persons per km². The total area is 69.51 km².

The city was founded on October 1, 1940.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Sightseeing
4 Sister city and Friendship city
- 4.1 Sister city
- 4.2 Friendship city
5 Transportation
6 Tourist Attractions
7 Religion
8 External links

[edit] Geography

Fujisawa is located in the central part of the Kanagawa Prefecture. It faces Sagami Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The northern part of the city is situated on the Sagamino plateau while the southern part is on the Shonan Dunes.

[edit] History

Fujisawa was mentioned in a document (Taiheiki) in the late 14th century. Fujisawa developed around Yugyo-ji temple, which was established in 1325. Fujisawa-juku was a post town (宿場町 Shukuba-machi) along the Tōkaidō during the Edo period. Edward S. Morse started biological studies at Enoshima island in 1877. Koza county public office was established in 1878. Fujisawa Station of Tōkaidō Main Line was established in 1887. Fujisawaosaka town and Fujisawaotomi town were founded in 1889. Fujisawaosaka town and Fujisawaotomi town were united in 1907. Fujisawaosaka town, Kugenuma village, and the Meiji village were united and it became Fujisawa town in 1908. Fujisawa town became Fujisawa city in 1940. Muraoka village and Fujisawa city were united in 1941. Mutsuai village and Fujisawa city were united in 1942. Katase town and Fujisawa city were united in 1947. Goshomi village, Chogo, Takakura, Endo, and Fujisawa city were united in 1955.

[edit] Sightseeing

In Fujisawa, popular sightseeing places are Kugenuma Beach and Enoshima Island. Kugenuma Beach is the birthplace of surfing and beach volleyball in Japan. In 1964, the sailing portion of the Tokyo Olympics took place here. Enoshima also boasts an aquarium.

[edit] Sister city and Friendship city

[edit] Sister city

Miami Beach, Florida, United States of America (1959)
Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (1961)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada (1987)
Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea (2002)

[edit] Friendship city

Kunming, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China (1981)

[edit] Transportation

A controversial condominium by Hidetsugu Aneha Grand Stage Fujisawa.

Route 1, to Tokyo or Kyoto
Route 134, to Yokosuka via Kamakura, or Hiratsuka
Route 467, to Yamato
Tōkaidō line (rail), to Tokyo or Atami
Odakyu line (rail), to Shinjuku
Enoden line (rail), to Kamakura
Sagami Railway, to Futamatagawa
Yokohama Municipal Subway, to Azamino

[edit] Tourist Attractions

Enoshima Island
Grand Stage Fujisawa
Shirahata Shrine

Shirahata Jinja is a shinto shrine, dedicated to Samukawahiko-no-Mikoto and Minamoto no Yoshitsune. There are two portable shrines, Yoshitsune and Benkei. Yoshitsune and Benkei were famous persons in the Kamakura period mentioned in The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict.