Ichikai, Tochigi

Ichikai 市貝町
Town
Ichikai Town Office
Flag
Location of Ichikai in Tochigi Prefecture
Ichikai
Coordinates: 36°33′N 140°06′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Tochigi
District	Haga
Area
• Total	64.25 km2 (24.81 sq mi)
Population  (August 2020)
• Total	11,684
• Density	180/km2 (470/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC 9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Cryptomeria
- Flower	Chrysanthemum
- Bird	Oriental turtle dove
Phone number	0285-68-1111
Address	Ichikai 1280, Ichikai-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi-ken 321-3493
Website	Official website

Shibazakura Park in Ichikai

Ichikai (市貝町, Ichikai-machi) is a town located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2020, the town had an estimated population of 11,684 in 4507 households, and a population density of 180 persons per km². The total area of the town is 64.25 square kilometres (24.81 sq mi).

Geography

Ichikai is located in eastern Tochigi Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities

Tochigi Prefecture

• Haga
• Mashiko
• Mooka
• Motegi
• Nasukarasuyama
• Takanezawa

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Ichikai has remained relatively steady over the past 30 years.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1920	10,108	—
1930	10,865	7.5%
1940	11,242	3.5%
1950	14,154	25.9%
1960	12,173	−14.0%
1970	10,249	−15.8%
1980	10,459	2.0%
1990	11,481	9.8%
2000	12,441	8.4%
2010	12,090	−2.8%
2020	11,262	−6.8%

History

Ichihane and Kokai villages were created within Haga District on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The two villages merged to form Ichikai village on May 3, 1954. Ichikai was elevated to town status on January 1, 1972.

Government

Ichikai has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Ichikai, together with the other municipalities in Haga District collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Ichikai is heavily dependent on agriculture. It is also a bedroom community for nearby Utsunomiya, Mooka and Haga.

Education

Ichikai has three public primary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway

• Moka Railway – Mooka Line
  • Tatara - Ichihana - Sasaharada

Highway

• National Route 123

External links

Media related to Ichikai, Tochigi at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website (in Japanese)