is a city located in southeastern Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 595,011 in 293,582 households and a population density of 9605 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city is . It is the Greater Tokyo Area's 8th most populated city (after passing Hachioji), and second largest in Saitama Prefecture, after eponymous Saitama.

Geography

Kawaguchi is located near the center of the Kantō Plain in southwestern Saitama Prefecture in east-central Honshu, and is bordered by the Tokyo wards of Kita-ku and Adachi-ku to the south. The city area is mostly flat and mainly residential except for the Omiya tableland, which occupies part of the north and east area. The Arakawa River runs across the border with Kita-ku to the south.

Surrounding municipalities

Saitama Prefecture

  • Koshigaya
  • Saitama (Iwatsuki-ku, Midori-ku, Minami-ku)
  • Sōka
  • Toda
  • Warabi

Tokyo Metropolis

Demographics

As of 2010, the recorded population was 561,506.

Kawaguchi is a typical suburb city in the Tokyo metropolitan area, where the population greatly changes between daytime and nighttime due to commute to big cities, especially Tokyo. Its population growth rate declined in the mid-1990s, but recent apartment construction boom in the city has helped to increase the population growth rate again. The number of children continues to decrease in accordance with the declining number of births; in 2009, 4,735 live births were recorded in the city, a marked decrease from the 1971 peak of 7,932 births. By contrast, the rate of people aged 65 or over is increasing, and stood at approximately 18.5% as of 1 January 2010, although this is still below the national average.

In June 2023, 41,471 people in Kawaguchi were not Japanese citizens; 23,637 people of them held Chinese citizenship.

History

thumb|An [[ukiyo-e woodblock print from the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series by Utagawa Hiroshige, depicting the crossing of the Arakawa River at Zenkō-ji Temple (1857)]]

thumb|Honchō, Kawaguchi

After the last ice age, during early and middle Jōmon period, most of the area which is now Kawaguchi was under sea level except for the area which is now Omiya Tableland. Ancient peoples living in this area left several shell middens, in which shells, Jōmon pottery, and pit houses have been discovered by archaeologists. Many Kofun period barrows were also found in Kawaguchi, however many have also been destroyed by urban development. From the Heian period onwards, Kawaguchi was part of Musashi Province. The name "Kawaguchi" appears in the Kamakura period chronicle Gikeiki, but it is not proven that this name designated current area of Kawaguchi.

During the Edo period, Kawaguchi-juku developed as a post town and a local marketplace, with minimal industrial activity, on the Nikkō Onari Kaidō, a highway used by the Tokugawa shōgun and daimyō to visit Nikkō Tōshō-gū. Towards the Bakumatsu period and into the Meiji period, the demand for metal products increased. Because of proximity to Tokyo and convenient water transportation using Arakawa River, Kawaguchi became the center of metal casting industry, for which it has remained famous until modern times.

On 1 April 2001, Kawaguchi was designated a special city, with increased local autonomy.

On 11 October 2011, Kawaguchi re-absorbed the city of Hatogaya.

right|thumb|Arakawa River at Kawaguchi

On 16 August 2018, the city of Kawaguchi and the City of Findlay, Ohio signed a "Friendship City Agreement". The city of Findlay houses seven Japanese businesses such as Bridgestone, Hitachi Astemo, Nissin Brake, and more.

Government

Kawaguchi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 42 members. Kawaguchi contributes seven members to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between Saitama 2nd district and Saitama 15th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Shibafuji

Shibafuji Elementary School's efforts to accommodate foreign students have gained attention from the Kawasaki Municipal Board of Education, which noted that the concentration of foreign students at this school is rare even across Japan. The municipal education board has supported the school's initiatives, recognizing the unique challenges and solutions involved in integrating a growing number of foreign students.

Education

Authorized by the Tokyo Bureau of Immigration Services Agency of Japan

  • SAI International Education Academy

Universities and colleges

  • Saitama Gakuen University
  • Kawaguchi Junior College
  • Kawaguchi Art School of Waseda University

High schools

operates:

The Kawaguchi Municipal Board of Education operates:

Junior high schools

(all managed by the city)

  • Angyo Junior High School
  • Angyo-higashi Junior High School
  • Aoki Junior High School
  • Haimatsu Junior High School
  • Higashi Junior High School
  • Kamiaoki Junior High School
  • Kamine Junior High School
  • Kishikawa Junior High School
  • Kita Junior High School
  • Koyaba Junior High School
  • Minami Junior High School
  • Motogo Junior High School
  • Nakacho Junior High School
  • Nishi Junior High School
  • Ryoke Junior High School
  • Sachinami Junior High School
  • Shiba Junior High School
  • Shiba-higashi Junior High School
  • Shiba-nishi Junior High School
  • Shibazono Junior High School
  • Shiwasuda Junior High School
  • Tozuka Junior High School
  • Tozuka-nishi Junior High School
  • Zaike Junior High School
  • Hatogaya Junior High School
  • Sato Junior High School
  • Hachimangi Junior High School

Elementary schools

Source:

  • Saitama Korean Kindergarten (埼玉朝鮮幼稚園) - North Korean school -- (Abolished on 31 March 2014 )

Transportation

Railway

20px JR East – Keihin-Tohoku line

  • -

20px JR East – Musashino line

27px Saitama Rapid Railway Line

  • - - - - -

Buses

Kawaguchi has a highly developed bus network, mainly operated by Kokusai Kogyo Bus. The east region of the city is relatively far from train stations, many people use buses to the nearest train stations. Some bus routes have over 20 bus services an hour in the morning.

Bus operators

  • Kokusai Kogyo Bus
  • Tobu Bus Central

Highway

  • – Kawaguchi Junction
  • – Kawaguchi-Nishi Interchange, Kawaguchi-Chūō Interchange, Kawaguchi Junction, Kawaguchi-Higashi Interchange
  • 24px|link=|alt= Kawaguchi Route – Kawaguchi Junction, Araijuku, Angyō, Shingo, Higashi Ryoke

Local attractions

Kawaguchi Green Centre

  • The Kawaguchi Green Center is a large botanical garden featuring themed gardens, greenhouses, and ponds. It showcases seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn leaves later in the year. The park also has a small zoo with rabbits, goats, and birds, making it a popular family-friendly destination. Visitors can explore its walking paths, attend flower festivals, or participate in gardening workshops. The garden blends Japanese and Western landscaping styles, offering a picturesque retreat in every season.

Kawaguchi Shrine

  • Kawaguchi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine that has been a place of worship for centuries. It is dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, the deity of agriculture and prosperity. At the entrance, a large torii gate welcomes visitors to the sacred grounds. The shrine hosts various festivals throughout the year, including New Year's celebrations, where many people come to make their first prayers of the year. Traditional wooden buildings and stone lanterns enhance its cultural significance. Visitors can also purchase charms and amulets for good luck, health, and success.
  • Hiromi Mimura, is a Japanese former professional wrestler and stage actress
  • Nekojiru, Manga artist
  • Yukio Ninagawa, stage director
  • Kumiko Ohba, actress
  • Yoshitaka Shindō, politician
  • Nanae Takahashi, Professional wrestler
  • Yukio Tomioka, politician

Notes

References

  • Official Website