Tosashimizu, Kōchi
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Tosashimizu 土佐清水市 |
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View of Pacific Ocean and Cape Ashizuri
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 Location of Tosashimizu in Kōchi Prefecture |
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 Tosashimizu
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| Coordinates: 32°47′N 132°57′E / 32.783°N 132.950°ECoordinates: 32°47′N 132°57′E / 32.783°N 132.950°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Shikoku | |
| Prefecture | Kōchi Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Shinichirō Nishimura | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 266.54 km2 (102.91 sq mi) | |
| Population (January 31, 2016) | ||
| • Total | 14,666 | |
| • Density | 51.3/km2 (133/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Akō (Ficus superba Miq. var. japonica Miq.) | |
| • Flower | Camellia | |
| • Bird | Blue Rock-thrush | |
| • Fish | Mejika | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 11-2 Tenjinmachi, Tosashimizu-shi, Kōchi-ken 787-0392 |
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| Website | www |
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Tosashimizu (土佐清水市 Tosashimizu-shi?) is a city located in the southwest of Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on August 1, 1954. As of 31 January 2016[update], the city has an estimated population of 14,666, with 7,608 households and a population density of 55.02 persons per km². The total area is 266.54 km².
Of the 11 cities in Kochi Prefecture, Tosashimizu has the second lowest population which was over 30,000 in 1954 compared to 14,937 as of March 31, 2015.
It is the only city on Shikoku island which hosts an Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) base.
The largest industry is fishing, especially deep-sea fishing. Sōdabushi, locally called mejikabushi, is one of the main seafood produce in the area with a market share of approximately 70%. It uses sōdagatsuo (frigate mackerel) and is manufactured using a similar process to katsuobushi. The local fishermen's union registered their catch of blue mackerel Scomber australasicus as "Tosano shimizusaba", or blue mackerel of Shimizu, Tosa.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan has a branch in Tosashimizu, and Osaka Aquarium Biological Research Institute of Iburi Center (OBIC) provides one third of those marine animals displayed at the aquarium in Osaka. The Center conducts scientific studies at its facility including a 1,600 ton tank.
Mejikano sato Tosashimizu roadside station is near scenic Tatsukushi along route 321. Mejika means sōdagatsuo (frigate mackerel) in the local dialect, and they manufacture and sell sōdabushi, the main sea food produce of the city, processed for demonstration at the factory at the back of the store for direct selling. Farm produce is also sold at this roadside station.
The 70 km coastline stretching from the northeast to southwest boundaries of Tosashimizu attracts over 800,000 tourists to Tosashimizu each year.Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park includes Ashizuri, the largest peninsula in the area. Tosashimizu is the nearest city to Ashizuri peninsula which is protruding into the Pacific ocean. Cape Ashizuri is 80 meters above sea level at the southeastern end on the peninsula. The peninsula is covered by subtropical plants including camellia, holm oak, and colony of Livistona Livistona chinensis, and the sea is a prime fishing ground for katsuo fish, or skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis. While there are small islands to the south of it, the cape is recognized as the southern most location on Shikoku island at 32°43′24″N 133°1′12″W / 32.72333°N 133.02000°W.
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