Tōgane

Tōgane 東金市
City
Flag of Tōgane Flag Coat of arms of Tōgane Coat of arms
Location of Tōgane in Chiba Prefecture Location of Tōgane in Chiba Prefecture
Tōgane Location of Tōgane in Chiba Prefecture
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Chiba Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Naohara Shiga (since April 1998)
Area
• Total	89.34 km2 (34.49 sq mi)
Population (April 2012)
• Total	60,964
• Density	682/km2 (1,770/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Rakan Maki
- Flower	Yoshino Sakura
Phone number	0475(50)1111
Address	1-1 Higashi-Iwasaki, Tōgane-shi, Chiba-ken 283-8511
Website	City of Tōgane HP

File:Tōgane City Office.jpg

Tōgane City Hall (Dec 11, 2011)

Tōgane (東金市, Tōgane-shi) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of April 2012, the city has an estimated population of 60,964 and a population density of 682 persons per km². The total area is 89.34 km².

Tōgane is home to the Kurenai-kai School of Japanese embroidery, which produces handmade obi and kimono in the traditional Japanese style.

Geography

Tōgane is located in north-center of the Bōsō Peninsula.

Surrounding Municipalities

• Midori-ku, Chiba
• Wakaba-ku, Chiba
• Sanbu, Chiba
• Yachimata, Chiba
• Ōamishirasato, Chiba
• Kujūkuri, Chiba

History

Tōgane was founded on April 1, 1889 as part of Sanbe District, Chiba Prefecture. Sanbe District became Sanbu District on April 1, 1897. The town expanded on April 1, 1953 through annexation of the neighboring villages of Okayama, Masaki, Toyonari, Kohei and a portion of the village of Yamato. It was elevated to city status on April 1, 1954 after further expansion through annexation of parts of the neighboring villages of Hara and Fukuoka.

Economy

Tōgane is known for strawberry picking in February and March. Strawberries are grown in greenhouses. Because there is not much industry remaining in some rural areas of Japan like Tōgane, antique markets are gaining popularity as old farmhouses are torn down.

Transportation

Railway

• Jr East – Tōgane Line
  • Fukutawara - Tōgane - Gumyō

Highway

• Chiba-Tōgane Road
• Japan National Route 126
• Japan National Route 128
• Japan National Route 409

Education

• Josai International University

Sister city relations

• - Rueil-Malmaison, France from November 7, 1970

Noted people from Tōgane

• Yuji Nagata – professional wrestler
• Katsuhiko Nagata - Olynmpic silver medalist in wrestling
• Urara Takano - voice actress

External links

• Tōgane City official website (Japanese)
• Kurenai-Kai (Japanese)