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Kumamoto, Japan

Kumamoto
熊本市
Designated city
Kumamoto City
From top left:Central Kumamoto view from Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto City Tramway, Fujisaki hachimangu shrine, Suizenji jojuen
From top left:Central Kumamoto view from Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto City Tramway, Fujisaki hachimangu shrine, Suizenji jojuen
Flag of Kumamoto
Flag
Location of Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture
Location of Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto is located in Japan
Kumamoto
Kumamoto
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°47′N 130°44′E / 32.783°N 130.733°E / 32.783; 130.733Coordinates: 32°47′N 130°44′E / 32.783°N 130.733°E / 32.783; 130.733
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Kumamoto Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Kazufumi Ōnishi
Area
 • Total 389.53 km2 (150.40 sq mi)
Population (March 1, 2010)
 • Total 731,286
 • Density 1,880/km2 (4,900/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Ginkgo
 • Flower Camellia
 • Bird Great tit
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-1 Tetorisai-machi, Chūō-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto-ken
860-8601
Website www.city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp

Kumamoto (熊本市 Kumamoto-shi?) is the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.

As of March 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 731,286 and a population density of 1,880 persons per km2. The total area is 389.53 km2.

Greater Kumamoto (熊本都市圏) had a population of 1,460,000, as of the 2000 census. As of 2010, Kumamoto Metropolitan Employment Area has a GDP of US$39.8 billion. It is not considered part of the Fukuoka–Kitakyushu metropolitan area, despite their shared border. The city was designated on April 1, 2012 by government ordinance.

Katō Kiyomasa, a contemporary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was made daimyo of half of the (old) administrative region of Higo in 1588. After that, Kiyomasa built Kumamoto Castle. Due to its many innovative defensive designs, Kumamoto Castle was considered impregnable, and Kiyomasa enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest castle-builders in Japanese history. After Kiyomasa died in 1611, his son, Tadahiro, succeeded him, but Tadahiro was removed by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1632, replacing him with the Hosokawa clan.

The current administrative body of the City of Kumamoto was founded on April 1, 1889.


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