Omitama


Omitama is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 48,776 in 18,311 households and a population density of 337 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 30.0%. The total area of the city is.

Geography

Omitama lies in central Ibaraki Prefecture on flat lowlands just north of Lake Kasumigaura. Local tourism materials promote wide lake views, seasonal flower fields, and viewpoints such as Kibogaoka Hill Park and “.” The city also uses the nickname “Diamond City,” referencing sunrises over Mt. Tsukuba.

Surrounding municipalities

Ibaraki Prefecture
Omitama has a Humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Omitama is 13.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1357 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.8 °C.

Demographics

According to the national census, population peaked around 2000 and has declined since. The 2020 census recorded 48,870 residents over 144.7 km².

History

The city of Omitama was established on March 27, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Ogawa and Minori, and the village of Tamari. The new city took its name from portions of the three older town and village names from which it was formed, Ogawa, Minori, Tamari.

Government

Omitama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Omitama contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy, with cash crops including chives, strawberries, melons, rice and lotus roots.
Omitama is also the home of Ibaraki Airport, which opened in March 2010 after considerable public investment. Its original intention was to attract Low Cost Carriers to an operating centre North of Tokyo. To date it has had some success by attracting Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines and TigerAir to offer limited domestic and international routes to Xian, Taipei and Shanghai.

Roads

Jōban Expressway, National Route 6, National Route 355 serve the city.

Education

Omitama administers 11 public elementary and 4 public junior high schools; there is one prefectural public high school.

Transportation

Railway

– Jōban Line
Hyakuri Air Base shares airfield facilities with Ibaraki Airport. It is home to the 7th Air Wing under the Central Air Defense Force, including the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron operating Mitsubishi F-2s and T-4 trainers. Hyakuri regularly hosts the annual Hyakuri Air Festival, drawing large crowds.

Sister Cities

  • Abilene, Kansas, United States — Sister-city ties began in 1984 with then-Minori; exchanges continue via a city board in Abilene.

    Culture and Tourism

Local sites and experiences promoted by the city/airport region guide include:
  • Kibogaoka Hill Park.
  • Lake Kasumigaura shoreline views and New Year’s “first sunrise” events; seasonal “Diamond Tsukuba” sunrise alignment.
  • Soga Jinja.
  • Sky Station Sorara viewpoint.
  • Akane Farm and local confections like “Minoriz” baumkuchen.

    Noted people from Omitama

  • Yuya Niwa - Politician, former Minister of Health.