Takaoka, Toyama
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Takaoka 高岡市 |
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Clockwise from top, Sho River, Yakamochi Otomo's Stature in Takaoka Station, Takaoka Castle Site, Amahara Sea Coast, Takaoka Daibutsu, Otoko Rock in Takaoka Bay
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 Location of Takaoka in Toyama |
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 Takaoka
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| Coordinates: 36°45′N 137°2′E / 36.750°N 137.033°ECoordinates: 36°45′N 137°2′E / 36.750°N 137.033°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Chūbu (Hokuriku) | |
| Prefecture | Toyama | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Masaki Takahashi | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 209.42 km2 (80.86 sq mi) | |
| Population (October 1, 2010) | ||
| • Total | 177,552 | |
| • Density | 847.99/km2 (2,196.3/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Koshinohigan-Sakura | |
| • Flower | Katakuri (Katakago) | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 7-50 Hirokōji, Takaoka-shi, Toyama-ken 933-8601 |
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| Website | www |
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Takaoka (高岡市 Takaoka-shi?) is a city located in the northwestern portion of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, and is the central city of its Western District. Takaoka covers the 8th largest surface area in Toyama Prefecture and has the second largest population after Toyama City. Takaoka became a city on April 1, 1889, withdrawing from Imizu District.
Originally, the Takaoka region was called Sekino, but when Maeda Toshinaga opened the city in 1609, he named it after a verse from the religious poem Shihen which includes the word Takaoka. In addition to this, the fact that Takaoka Castle was built on a slightly elevated shoreline is thought to be another possible origin for the name Takaoka, since Taka means "high" and "Oka" means "hill or elevated land".
The present-day suburbs of Takaoka formed the provincial capital of the former Ecchu Province, and Ōtomo no Yakamochi took position as a government official in this area. During his five-year stay he wrote many waka poems. This is the reason for Takaoka being named Manyō City. Even today the main event at the annual Manyō Festival is the 20 Volume Manyō recital.
In 1609, when Maeda Toshinaga of the Kaga Domain entered Takaoka Castle, he officially opened the city of Takaoka. At the time of the opening of the city, it was reorganized for a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants and the Samurai Yashiki (residences) were positioned around the castle and towards the southern plateau.
However, in 1615, when an edict was passed that there was to be only one castle in each feudal domain, Takaoka castle was destroyed. At the time, people said that cities without castles would fall into decline however Maeda Toshinaga pursued policies regulating the relocation of Takaoka citizens and promoting the development of Takaoka as an industrial city. This resulted in the start of Takaoka’s role as a city of commerce and industry. Takaoka copperware and lacquerware also took off at this time.
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