Numazu, Shizuoka

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**Numazu**
**沼津市**
Numazu's location in Shizuoka, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Tōkai)
Prefecture	Shizuoka
Physical characteristics
Area	187.11 km² (72.24 sq mi)
Population (as of January 2008)
Total	206,722
Density	1,100 /km² (2,849 /sq mi)
Location	35°06′N, 138°52′E
Symbols
Tree	Pine
Flower	Crinum asiaticum
Bird	Common Gull
Flag
Numazu Government Office
Mayor	Mamoru Saito
Address	〒410-8601 16-1 Miyukichō, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka-ken
Phone number	055-931-2500
Official website: Numazu City

Numazu (沼津市, Numazu-shi^?) is a city located in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

1 Outline
2 Sightseeing
3 Industry
4 Notable natives
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Outline

View from Numazu harbor towards Mount Fuji (in clouds)

Numazu is at the top of the Izu Peninsula, which is a leisure destination known for its hot springs. Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain, may also be seen from Numazu on clear days. Numazu is located 130 km west of Tokyo and is on the Tōkaidō Main Line, the main railway line from Kobe to Tokyo.

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 206,722 and density of 1,100 persons per km². The total area is 187.11 km².

The city was established on July 1, 1923.

From the Meiji era until 1969, the Japanese imperial family had a special villa, Numazu was called “Karuizawa by the Sea”.

[edit] Sightseeing

Numazu is a gateway to Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Izu Peninsula, which are major tourist attractions. The Kano River runs through the middle of the city, and its port is a major center of Shizuoka prefecture's the fishery industry.

The harbour area is also well-known for its seafood restaurants and features an anti-tsunami barrier with an observation floor on top that offers a good panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area.

Numazu has the longest coastline of any municipality in the prefecture. The Senbonhama ("thousand tree beach") seaside is considered one of the best places to view Osezaki, Nihondaira, or the southern Japan Alps against the background of Sembonmatsubara and Mount Fuji. Two aquariums are located in Numazu, Mito Sea Paradise and Awashima Marine Park.

There is a lively shopping street not too far from the train station where you can buy clothes, go for a drink, or listen to live music. Numazu is very festive during the summer festival. There is a villa of the Taishō emperor in Numazu, called "Goyōtei" in Japanese. This villa was built in 1893 as a rest home for the emperor. Visitors can learn about the Meiji era at the villa.