Due to how cool Katsuura is in the summer, it has been nicknamed as “the city without harsh heat [of 35°C or hotter] for 100 years” (100年猛暑日知らずの街).

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Katsuura has been gradually decreasing over the past 70 years and is now less than it was a century ago.

History

The area around Katsuura was part of Isumi District of former Kazusa Province. During the Edo period, most of the area was tenryō under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate and administered by hatamoto retainers. Katsuura Village was founded on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The name originated from a location of the same name in the Kii Peninsula. Katsuura was elevated to town status on March 12, 1890. On April 1, 1937, it expanded through annexation of neighboring Toyohama Village. On February 11, 1955, it expanded further through merger with the neighboring town of Okitsu, and the villages of Ueno and Sono. Katsuura was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958.

In August 1931 the English aviator Francis Chichester crashed his seaplane at Katsuura, hitting cables while doing a demonstration flight for the populace. A local crowd pulled him from the wreckage, and he was healed of serious injuries at a nearby hospital.

Government

Katsuura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members. Katsuura contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Katsuura is historically known as a fishing port, and currently has the second largest catch in Chiba Prefecture after Chōshi City. There are nine active fishing ports in Katsuura, with the Port of Katsuura being the largest. The catch of katsuo bonito in 1990 was the largest ever recorded in Japan. Tourism is also important to the economy, and the town has facilities for public beaches, golfing and other leisure activities. Katsuura is home to small-scale sake production, and koshihikari rice, blueberries, kiwifruit, and shiitake mushrooms are also produced in the area.

Education

University

  • International Budo University

Primary and secondary schools

Katsuura has five public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the city government. The city does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railroad

20px JR East – Sotobō Line

  • - - -

Highway

Sister cities

  • Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan
  • Nachikatsuura, Wakayama
  • Katsuura, Tokushima

Noted people from Katsuura

  • Yoshihiro Maru, baseball player
  • Eisuke Mori, politician
  • Hitomi Takagaki, writer

<gallery>

File:Bronze statue of "Youjuin".jpg|Bronze statue of Youjuin in Cape Hachiman.

Katsuura lighthouse.jpg|Katsuura lighthouse

File:Katsuura street 01.JPG|A street in Katsuura

File:Katsuura street 02.JPG|A street in Katsuura

File:Katsuura street 03.JPG|A street in Katsuura

</gallery>

Katsuura Beach

<gallery>

File:Shinto temple on Katsuura beach.JPG|Shinto shrine on Katsuura beach

File:Katsuura beach 01.JPG|Katsuura shipyard

File:Katsuura beach 02.JPG|Katsuura beach

File:Katsuura beach 04.JPG|Katsuura beach

</gallery>

References

  • Official Website