Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū
Wakamatsu-ku is a ward of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan. It has an area of and a population of about 88,594.
History
Wakamatsu was first established as a village in Onga District in 1889. It was upgraded to town status in 1891.The opening of a railway to Nōgata on 30 August 1891 made Wakamatsu's harbour a critical transhipment point for coal from the Chikuhō coalfield, leading to the town's rapid growth. It was elevated to city status on 1 April 1914.
Wakamatsu was merged with four neighbouring cities to form the modern city of Kitakyushu in 1963. It now comprises the Wakamatsu ward of that city.
Facilities
Important facilities include Green Park, Ecotown recycling area, Gakuen Toshi academic area, and Hibiki container terminal. An underwater tunnel was being constructed in 2005–2006 between Tobata and Wakamatsu wards to link the Hibiki container terminal with Kokura.Green Park
Green Park is a large green area which includes a tropical house with rare plants, fish and birds; a herb garden; a rose garden ; a children's play area; a Japanese garden; a wallaby enclosure and boating facilities. It is not well known outside Kitakyushu. Sometimes indoor and open-air concerts are staged. There is also an observation tower.Wind farm
There is a wind farm on the coast, harnessing wind power for electricity.There is no particular controversy about the sightliness or otherwise of this wind farm, as in some other countries. It is on windy reclaimed land.