Mitake, Gifu

Summary

Mitake (御嵩町, Mitake-chō) is a town located in Kani District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2019, the town had an estimated population of 18,363 and a population density of 330 persons per km2, in 7,348 households.[1] The total area of the town was 56.69 square kilometres (21.89 sq mi).

Mitake
御嵩町
Mitake Town Hall
Mitake Town Hall
Flag of Mitake
Official seal of Mitake
Location of Mitake in Gifu Prefecture
Location of Mitake in Gifu Prefecture
Mitake is located in Japan
Mitake
Mitake
 
Coordinates: 35°26′3.9″N 137°07′50.6″E / 35.434417°N 137.130722°E / 35.434417; 137.130722
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu
PrefectureGifu
DistrictKani
Government
 • MayorKimio Watanabe
Area
 • Total56.69 km2 (21.89 sq mi)
Population
 (January 1, 2019)
 • Total18,363
 • Density320/km2 (840/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols 
- TreeJapanese red pine
- FlowerChrysanthemum morifolium
Phone number0574-67-2111
AddressMitake 1239-1, Mitake-chō, Kani-gun, Gifu-ken 505-0192
WebsiteOfficial website (in Japanese)
Mitake-juku

Geography edit

Mitake is located at the edge of the Nōbi Plain in south-central Gifu Prefecture. The Kiso River runs through the town. The town has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Mitake is 14.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1986 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.0 °C.[2]

Neighbouring municipalities edit

Demographics edit

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Mitake peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1970 14,798—    
1980 16,794+13.5%
1990 18,830+12.1%
2000 19,653+4.4%
2010 18,824−4.2%
2020 17,516−6.9%

History edit

The area around Mitake was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, Fushimi-juku and Mitake-juku prospered as post stations on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Kani District, Gifu Prefecture. The town of Mitake was formed in 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. On February 1, 1955, Mitake absorbed the neighbouring towns on Fushimi and Naka, and the village of Kaminogo.

Economy edit

Mitake was once a major producing area of lignite coal, with more than 100 coal mines operating during its peak around 1947, producing more than a quarter of the nation's output; however by 1968 the last mines closed. Land subsidence is now a growing problem in the town.

Education edit

Mitake has three public elementary schools and three public middle school operated by the town government and one public junior high school operated by neighbouring Kani city. The town has two public high schools operated by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation edit

Railway edit

Highway edit

The town is not located on any national highways.

References edit

  1. ^ Mitake town official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Mitake climate data
  3. ^ Mitake population statistics

External links edit

  •   Media related to Mitake, Gifu at Wikimedia Commons
  • Mitake official website (in Japanese)