Shimotsuke, Tochigi


Shimotsuke is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 60,274 in 24,654 households, and a population density of 810 persons per km2. The total area of the city is.

Geography

Shimotsuke is located in southern Tochigi Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities

Shimotsuke has a Humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Shimotsuke is 13.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1373 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.4 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Shimotsuke has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.

History

The city of Shimotsuke was established on January 10, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Minamikawachi, and the towns of Kokubunji and Ishibashi.

Government

Shimotsuke has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature council of 18 members. Shimotsuke contributes one member to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Tochigi 1st district and the Tochigi 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Agriculture and light manufacturing are mainstays of the local economy, with production of Kanpyō, turmeric and spinach being prominent local crops. The city is increasingly a bedroom community for neighboring Utsunomiya.

Education

Railway

– Tōhoku Main Line