Kaizu, Gifu
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in the southwest portion of Gifu Prefecture
, Japan
. Most of the city is located at sea level
and is well-known for levee
s surrounding the area. The city was formed on March 28, 2005 through a merger of the towns of Kaizu, Hirata
and Nannō
, all belonging to Kaizu District.
prefectures, where the Yōrō Mountains
run from north-to-south and the three major rivers of the Nōbi Plain
(the Ibi
, Nagara
, and Kiso
rivers) merge. The Tsuya, Ōgure, and Ōe rivers also flow through the city.
from Jōmon period
was found in Kaizu, which includes sea shells, tools, and human remains. These artifacts indicate that the area was settled as early as 2,500 years ago. Around these period, Kaizu was much closer to the ocean and many basket clam shells
can be found.
, the first circle levee was completed. Originally, levees were only on the upstream portion of the city, leaving the downstream side vulnerable to floods. Once the full circle levee was completed, numerous other circle levees were built in the surrounding area.
producers. Kaizu is the northernmost point in Japan that grows mikan extensively.
, Ibi
, and Kiso
rivers meet. It is a great place to relax, enjoy outdoor sporting activities, or view the yearly flower festival held there. Because of the confluence of these three rivers and the area's geography, Kaizu was prone to flooding in ancient Japan. A panoramic view of the area can be viewed from an observation tower located in Kisosansen Park.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in the southwest portion of Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Most of the city is located at sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
and is well-known for levee
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
s surrounding the area. The city was formed on March 28, 2005 through a merger of the towns of Kaizu, Hirata
Hirata, Gifu
was a town located in Kaizu District, Gifu, Japan.On March 28, 2005 Hirata was merged into the city of Kaizu.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 8,383 and a density of 514.61 persons per square kilometer...
and Nannō
Nanno, Gifu
was a town located in Kaizu District, Gifu, Japan.On March 28, 2005 Nannō merged into the city of Kaizu.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 17,268 and a density of 333.29 persons per km². The total area was 51.81 km²....
, all belonging to Kaizu District.
Geography
Levees are the most visible feature surrounding the city. To the west of the city is the border of Gifu and MieMie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
prefectures, where the Yōrō Mountains
Yoro Mountains
The are a mountain range straddling the border between Gifu and Mie prefectures in Japan. They form part of the western border of the Nōbi Plain.-Geography:...
run from north-to-south and the three major rivers of the Nōbi Plain
Nobi Plain
The is a large plain in Japan that stretches from the Mino area of southwest Gifu Prefecture to the Owari area of northwest Aichi Prefecture, covering an area of approximately . It is an alluvial plain created by the Kiso Three Rivers and has very fertile soil...
(the Ibi
Ibi River
The is a tributary of the Kiso River located in Gifu and Mie Prefectures in Japan. Along with the Nagara and Kiso rivers, the Ibi is the third of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. It is one of Japan's first-class rivers...
, Nagara
Nagara River
The has its source in the city of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Along with the Kiso River and Ibi River, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. Previously, the river was named Sunomata River . With a length of , it...
, and Kiso
Kiso River
The is a river in Japan roughly 193 km long, flowing through the prefectures of Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, and Mie before emptying into Ise Bay a short distance away from the city of Nagoya. It is the main river of the Kiso Three Rivers and forms a major part of the Nōbi Plain...
rivers) merge. The Tsuya, Ōgure, and Ōe rivers also flow through the city.
Jōmon period
A middenMidden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...
from Jōmon period
Jomon period
The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them...
was found in Kaizu, which includes sea shells, tools, and human remains. These artifacts indicate that the area was settled as early as 2,500 years ago. Around these period, Kaizu was much closer to the ocean and many basket clam shells
Corbiculidae
The Corbiculidae, common name "basket clams", are a family of aquatic bivalve molluscs in the order Veneroida.Clams in this family release many juveniles into the surrounding waters that have hatched inside the clams . Fertilization is internal...
can be found.
Kamakura period
In 1319, towards the end of the Kamakura periodKamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
, the first circle levee was completed. Originally, levees were only on the upstream portion of the city, leaving the downstream side vulnerable to floods. Once the full circle levee was completed, numerous other circle levees were built in the surrounding area.
Industries
The city is home to mikan and tomatoTomato
The word "tomato" may refer to the plant or the edible, typically red, fruit which it bears. Originating in South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and its many varieties are now widely grown, often in greenhouses in cooler...
producers. Kaizu is the northernmost point in Japan that grows mikan extensively.
Attractions
Kaizu is home to Kisosansen Park. This is the location at which the NagaraNagara River
The has its source in the city of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Along with the Kiso River and Ibi River, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. Previously, the river was named Sunomata River . With a length of , it...
, Ibi
Ibi River
The is a tributary of the Kiso River located in Gifu and Mie Prefectures in Japan. Along with the Nagara and Kiso rivers, the Ibi is the third of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. It is one of Japan's first-class rivers...
, and Kiso
Kiso River
The is a river in Japan roughly 193 km long, flowing through the prefectures of Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, and Mie before emptying into Ise Bay a short distance away from the city of Nagoya. It is the main river of the Kiso Three Rivers and forms a major part of the Nōbi Plain...
rivers meet. It is a great place to relax, enjoy outdoor sporting activities, or view the yearly flower festival held there. Because of the confluence of these three rivers and the area's geography, Kaizu was prone to flooding in ancient Japan. A panoramic view of the area can be viewed from an observation tower located in Kisosansen Park.