Katsuura, Chiba

Katsuura
勝浦市
City

View of central Katsuura

Flag
Seal

Location of Katsuura in Chiba Prefecture
Katsuura

 

Coordinates: 35°09′N 140°19′E / 35.150°N 140.317°E / 35.150; 140.317Coordinates: 35°09′N 140°19′E / 35.150°N 140.317°E / 35.150; 140.317
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Chiba Prefecture
Area
 • Total 94.20 km2 (36.37 sq mi)
Population (April 2012)
 • Total 20,030
 • Density 213/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Ajisai
Phone number 0470-73-1211
Address Shingu 1343-1, Katsuura-shi, Chiba-ken 299-5292
Website Katsuura City
Katsuura City Hall

Katsuura (勝浦市 Katsuura-shi) is a city located in southern Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 20,570 and the population density of 218 persons per km². The total area is 94.20 km².

Katsuura City is famous for Katsuura Fishing Port, which features one of the top three largest morning markets in Japan.[1]

Geography

Katsuura is located on the east coast of southern Chiba Prefecture in the approximate center of the Bōsō Peninsula. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east. Cape Hachiman juts prominently into the Pacific Ocean and features lush sub-tropical vegetation.[2] Rolling peaks of the Bōsō Hill Range give way to its rolling, sandy hills closer to the coast. Parts of the city are within the Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park.

Climate

Katsuura features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) due to its proximity to the Kuroshio Current. Summers and winters are relatively mild and have a narrow annual temperature range. Katsuura, along with Chōshi City, has the coolest summers in Chiba Prefecture. August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 25.3 °C (78 °F), and some days exceed 30 °C (86 °F) degrees. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 6.1 °C (43 °F).

Climate data for Katsuura, Chiba
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)		 10.5
(50.9)		 12.8
(55)		 17.0
(62.6)		 20.7
(69.3)		 23.1
(73.6)		 26.2
(79.2)		 28.5
(83.3)		 26.0
(78.8)		 21.5
(70.7)		 17.5
(63.5)		 13.3
(55.9)		 18.98
(66.16)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.1
(43)		 6.2
(43.2)		 8.8
(47.8)		 13.6
(56.5)		 17.5
(63.5)		 20.2
(68.4)		 23.3
(73.9)		 25.3
(77.5)		 22.7
(72.9)		 17.7
(63.9)		 13.5
(56.3)		 8.8
(47.8)		 15.31
(59.56)
Average low °C (°F) 1.9
(35.4)		 2.2
(36)		 4.7
(40.5)		 9.9
(49.8)		 14.1
(57.4)		 17.6
(63.7)		 21.0
(69.8)		 22.8
(73)		 20.0
(68)		 14.5
(58.1)		 9.6
(49.3)		 4.7
(40.5)		 11.92
(53.46)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 83.2
(3.276)		 108.0
(4.252)		 168.9
(6.65)		 154.8
(6.094)		 179.9
(7.083)		 229.9
(9.051)		 132.9
(5.232)		 149.8
(5.898)		 218.7
(8.61)		 251.8
(9.913)		 157.7
(6.209)		 84.4
(3.323)		 1,920
(75.591)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 1
(0.4)		 3
(1.2)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 4
(1.6)
Average relative humidity (%) 57 61 66 75 79 85 87 85 82 76 70 64 73.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 167.8 142.6 159.7 164.2 183.2 135.1 164.2 220.0 153.2 139.3 137.6 163.5 1,930.4
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [3]

Surrounding municipalities

History

The area around Katsuura was part of Isumi District of former Kazusa Province. During the Edo period, most of the area was tenryō under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate and administered by hatamoto retainers. Katsuura Village was founded on April 1, 1889. The name is said to be originated from a location of the same name in the Kii Peninsula. It was elevated to town status on March 12, 1890. On April 1, 1937, it expanded through annexation of neighboring Toyohama Village. On February 11, 1955, it expanded further through merger with the neighboring town of Okitsu, and the villages of Ueno and Sono. Katsuura was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958.

In August 1931 the English aviator Francis Chichester crashed his seaplane at Katsuura, hitting cables while doing a demonstration flight for the populace. A local crowd pulled him from the wreckage, and he was healed of serious injuries at a nearby hospital.[4]

Economy

Katsuura is historically known as a fishing port, and currently has the second largest catch in Chiba Prefecture after Chōshi City. There are nine active fishing ports in Katsuura, with the Port of Katsuura being the largest. The catch of katsuo bonito in 1990 was the largest ever recorded in Japan.[5] Tourism is also important to the economy, and the town has facilities for public beaches, golfing and other leisure activities. Katsuura is home to small-scale sake production, and koshihikari rice, blueberries, kiwi fruit, and shiitake mushrooms are also produced in the area.

Transportation

Railroad

Highway

Education

University

Primary and Secondary

There are 7 elementary schools, 3 junior high schools, and one high school. In addition Katsuura city is the home of the Museum of the Sea (Japanese: 海の博物館).

Sister city relations

Famous people

Katsuura Beach

References

  1. ↑ "Katsuura Asaichi". City.katsuura.chiba.jp. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  2. ↑ Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ). Hachiman-misaki. Tokyo: Netto Adobansusha, viewed November 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Katsuura Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ Chichester, F. The Lonely Sea and the Sky London 1964 Hodder & Stoughton pp223-227 with photograph
  5. ↑ "Katsuura". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Netto Adobansusha. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
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