Kaizu

Kaizu 海津市
City
Symbol
Location of Kaizu in Gifu Prefecture
Kaizu Location in Japan
Coordinates: 35°13′N 136°38′E / 35.217°N 136.633°E / 35.217; 136.633Coordinates: 35°13′N 136°38′E / 35.217°N 136.633°E / 35.217; 136.633
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Gifu Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Kiyohiko Matsunaga
Area
• Total	112.31 km2 (43.36 sq mi)
Population (July 2011)
• Total	37,502
• Density	330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Pine
• Flower	Satsuma flower
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	515 Takasu, Kaizu-chō, Kaizu-shi, Gifu-ken 503-0695
Website	www.city.kaizu.lg.jp/index.jsp

Kaizu (海津市, Kaizu-shi) is a city located in the southwest portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Most of the city is located at sea level and is well known for levees surrounding the area.

The modern city of Kaizu was established on March 28, 2005, from the merger of the former town of Kaizu, absorbing the towns of Hirata and Nannō (all from Kaizu District).

Levees are the most visible feature surrounding the city. To the west of the city is the border of Gifu and Mie prefectures, where the Yōrō Mountains run from north-to-south and the three major rivers of the Nōbi Plain (the Ibi, Nagara, and Kiso rivers) merge. The Tsuya, Ōgure, and Ōe rivers also flow through the city.

A midden from Jōmon period was found in Kaizu, which includes sea shells, tools, and human remains. These artifacts indicate that the area was settled as early as 2,500 years ago. Around these period, Kaizu was much closer to the ocean and many basket clam shells can be found.

In 1319, towards the end of the Kamakura period, the first circle levee was completed. Originally, levees were only on the upstream portion of the city, leaving the downstream side vulnerable to floods. Once the full circle levee was completed, numerous other circle levees were built in the surrounding area.

The city is home to mikan and tomato producers. Kaizu is the northernmost point in Japan that grows mikan extensively.

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Wikipedia