Omaezaki

Omaezaki
御前崎市
City

Cape Omaezaki

Flag
Seal

Location of Omaezaki in Shizuoka Prefecture
Omaezaki

 

Coordinates: 34°38′16.6″N 138°7′41.1″E / 34.637944°N 138.128083°E / 34.637944; 138.128083Coordinates: 34°38′16.6″N 138°7′41.1″E / 34.637944°N 138.128083°E / 34.637944; 138.128083
Country Japan
Region Chūbu (Tōkai)
Prefecture Shizuoka Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Shigeo Ishihara (since April 2008)
Area
 • Total 65.56 km2 (25.31 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
 • Total 32,433
 • Density 495/km2 (1,280/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Myrica rubra
- Flower Calystegia soldanella
Phone number 0537-85-1111
Address 5585, Ike-Shinden, Omaezaki-shi, Shizuoka-ken 437-1692
Website Official website
Omaezaki City Hall

Omaezaki (御前崎市 Omaezaki-shi) is a city located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Omaezaki is located at the tip of Omaezaki Peninsula on Japan's Pacific coast.

As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 32,433 and a population density of 495 persons per km². The total area was 65.56 square kilometres (25.31 sq mi).

Geography

Omaezaki City lies approximately 80 miles (130 km) south of Shizuoka City at the tip of a peninsula of the same name, stretching east into the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the city consists of gentle hills and valleys with some steep cliffs on the peninsula's east coast. Like much of Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture is an earthquake zone, and small tremors frequently occur in the area. Omaezaki is also in an area at risk from tsunami.

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Omaezaki has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). Due to its location, Omaezaki experiences strong coastal winds between October and April. The Japanese rainy season also affects Omaezaki, with typhoons liable to hit the city between July and September. During summer, the region is cooler than the majority of inland Shizuoka Prefecture.

Climate data for Omaezaki, Shizuoka
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 10.0
(50)		 10.6
(51.1)		 13.3
(55.9)		 17.6
(63.7)		 21.3
(70.3)		 24.0
(75.2)		 27.2
(81)		 29.2
(84.6)		 26.7
(80.1)		 22.1
(71.8)		 17.6
(63.7)		 12.6
(54.7)		 19.35
(66.84)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.0
(42.8)		 6.5
(43.7)		 9.3
(48.7)		 14.2
(57.6)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.2
(70.2)		 24.5
(76.1)		 26.1
(79)		 23.6
(74.5)		 18.8
(65.8)		 14.0
(57.2)		 8.7
(47.7)		 15.91
(60.64)
Average low °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1)		 2.7
(36.9)		 5.3
(41.5)		 10.9
(51.6)		 14.9
(58.8)		 18.7
(65.7)		 22.3
(72.1)		 23.7
(74.7)		 21.0
(69.8)		 15.8
(60.4)		 10.4
(50.7)		 4.9
(40.8)		 12.74
(54.92)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 76.7
(3.02)		 97.1
(3.823)		 166.7
(6.563)		 190.2
(7.488)		 216.4
(8.52)		 280.4
(11.039)		 222.9
(8.776)		 215.6
(8.488)		 211.3
(8.319)		 170.7
(6.72)		 135.3
(5.327)		 70.4
(2.772)		 2,053.7
(80.855)
Average relative humidity (%) 59 61 64 75 78 85 88 85 80 73 68 63 73.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 198.1 175.7 191.9 176.7 201.8 148.5 177.6 223.8 167.1 161.2 161.3 189.7 2,173.4
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [1]

History

The modern city of Omaezaki was established on April 1, 2004, from the merger of the former town of Omaezaki (formerly part of Haibara District), absorbing the town of Hamaoka (formerly of the now-defunct Ogasa District).

During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the England national football team was based in former Hamaoka Town.

Economy

Omaezaki has a long history of commercial fishing and of green tea cultivation and these continue to play a central role in the local economy. More recently, the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant situated in the former town of Hamaoka has brought investment to the city. Water sports account for a large number of visitors daily to the city, and during the summer months, tourism attracted by Omaezaki's beaches is an important part of the economy, and water sports made possible by strong coastal winds have become as much a part of Omaezaki's identity as that of a rural town.

Education

Omaezaki has five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

Transportation

Tea fields in Omaezaki

Omaezaki does not have any passenger rail services. However, it is connected with nearby major cities such as Shizuoka and Hamamatsu via Japan National Route 150 with extensive bus services. Omaezaki Port is a major port for eastern Shizuoka prefecture, including the industrial zone centered around Hamamatsu.

Local attractions

Omaezaki City has long been famed for its Omaezaki Lighthouse and its extensive green tea fields. In recent years the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, the visitor centre of which also hosts an Omnimax Cinema, has become a well-known local landmark. Due to the active seismic nature of the region, the nuclear power station has been built to a high level of safety, and its operator, Chubu Electric Power, claims that it can withstand strong tremors.

Culture

As a result of the strong coastal winds, Omaezaki offers some of the best windsurfing in Japan. As well as being Japan's most famous windsurfing spot, Omaezaki is renowned as a popular surfing and bodyboarding destination. This is especially true during the summer months, although surfers and bodyboarders can be seen all year round at Omaezaki Long Beach (御前崎ロングビーチ). The city also has a beach as part of Omaezaki Marine Park (御前崎マリーンパーク) which is a popular destination during the region's hot and humid summer months.

Sister city relations

References

  1. ↑ "Omaezaki Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  2. ↑ "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Retrieved 21 November 2015.

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