Wako, Saitama
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Wakō 和光市 |
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| City | |||
Wakō City Hall
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 Location of Wakō in Saitama Prefecture |
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 Wakō
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| Coordinates: 35°46′52.4″N 139°36′20.5″E / 35.781222°N 139.605694°ECoordinates: 35°46′52.4″N 139°36′20.5″E / 35.781222°N 139.605694°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kantō | ||
| Prefecture | Saitama Prefecture | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 11.04 km2 (4.26 sq mi) | ||
| Population (February 2016) | |||
| • Total | 80,666 | ||
| • Density | 7,310/km2 (18,900/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| - Tree | Ginkgo biloba | ||
| - Flower | Satsuki azalea | ||
| Phone number | 048-464-1111 | ||
| Address | 1-5 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama-ken 351-0192 | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Wakō (和光市 Wakō-shi?) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, in the central Kantō region of Japan. As of 1 February 2016[update], the city had an estimated population of 80,666 and a population density of 7310 persons per km². Its total area was 11.04 square kilometres (4.26 sq mi).
Located in southern Saitama Prefecture bordering on Tokyo, Wakō is within easy commuting distance from downtown Tokyo.
Archaeological examination of several sites around Wakō has revealed the remains of a number of villages in the area, including a large amount of Jōmon period pottery, stone tools and other remains. Signs of early rice cultivation coinciding with the Yayoi period as well as quantities of Yayoi period pottery and implements have also been found.
The area of modern Wakō developed from the Muromachi period as Shirako-juku, a post station on the Kawagoe-kaidō highway.
The villages of Shirako and Niikura were created within Niikura District, Saitama with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Niikura District was abolished in 1894, becoming part of Kitaadachi District. The two villages were merged on April 1, 1943, becoming the town of Yamato. Yamato was elevated to city status on October 31, 1970 and was renamed Wakō.
Wakō was formerly home to a Honda factory, but is now the location for the company's technical development section. Part of the headquarters function of Honda is scheduled to move from Tokyo. The head offices of RIKEN, a large natural sciences research institute in Japan, are also located in the city. The city also serves as a bedroom community for Tokyo.
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