Kawanishi, Hyōgo

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**Kawanishi**
**川西市**
Kawanishi's location in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Hyōgo Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area	53.44 km² (20.63 sq mi)
Population (as of 2008)
Total	160,823
Density	3,010.5 /km² (7,797 /sq mi)
Location	34°50′N, 135°25′E
Symbols
Tree	Sakura
Flower	Gentian
Symbol of Kawanishi: stylized kanji 川 (river) and 西 (west)
Kawanishi Government Office
Mayor	Susumu Shibao
Address	〒666-8501 12-1 Chūō-chō, Kawanishi-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Phone number	072-740-1111
Official website: City of Kawanishi

Kawanishi (川西市, Kawanishi-shi^?) is a city located in Hyōgo, Japan. It is located in the northwestern part of the Kansai Region, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by Inagawa River.

1 History
2 Economy
3 Transportation
4 People from Kawanishi
5 Sister cities
6 Related items
7 External links

[edit] History

Minamoto no Mitsunaka, samurai court official, and grandson of Emperor Seiwa retired to Tada village, now part of Kawanishi. A statue of him can be seen next to Kawanishi-Ikeda Station.

Kawanishi was incorporated on August 1, 1954 out of the former Kawanishi town, Tada village and Higashitani village.

[edit] Economy

Kawanishi is home to many commuters who work in Kobe and Osaka, with special express trains running from Osaka to Kawanishi to accommodate these travelers. Though primarily suburban, Kawanishi does have a significant agricultural sector, especially in the northern portions of the city. Major crops include peaches, chestnuts, figs, and charcoal.

[edit] Transportation

Kawanishi is serviced by the JR Takarazuka Line and the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Hankyu's Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station is a transfer station to the Nose Railway, which runs primarily within Kawanishi. Hankyu also runs bus transport throughout the city.

Expressway road access is facilitated by the Chūgoku Expressway and the Hanshin Expressway.