Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kikuchi in 2020 is 46,416 people.

History

The area of Kikuchi was part of ancient Higo Province, and the location of Kikuchi Castle, an Asuka period mountain fortification. The local Kikuchi clan was a major supporter of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-cho period. During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Kumafu and village of Kikuchi were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On September 1, 1956, the town of Kumafu and the villages of Kikuchi, Kawahara, Suigen, Ryumon, Hasama, Hanabusa, and Tozaki merged to form the town of Kikuchi. Kikuchi was raised to city status on August 1, 1958. On March 22, 2005, Kikuchi absorbed the towns of Shichijo and Shisui, and the village of Kyokushi (all from Kikuchi District).

Government

Kikuchi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Kikuchi contributes one member to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Kikuchi has been a rice-producing area since the Edo period, and its brand rice has won first place in numerous national contests. In addition, melons, burdock, shiitake mushrooms, and other crops are cultivated, and livestock farming are also thriving and the city is the largest dairy farming area in western Japan. In terms of industry, the city has many automobile and electronics-related factories. Tourism, centered around its hot spring resorts has flourished since in the 1950s.

Education

Kikuchi has ten public elementary schools and 5 public junior high schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school.

Transportation

Railways

Kikuchi has not had any passenger railway service since the reduction in services of the Kumamoto Electric Railway Kikuchi Line in 1986. The nearest train stations are Miyoshi Station or Higo-Ōzu Station.

Highways

Sister cities

Kikuchi is twinned with:

  • Nishimera, Miyazaki, Japan
  • Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, since 1985
  • Sishui County, Shandong, China, since 1994
  • Tōno, Iwate, Japan, since 1998
  • Cheongwon County, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, since 2005

Notable people from Kikuchi

  • Shigeru Chiba, actor

Local attractions

  • Kikuchi Shrine

References

  • Kikuchi City official website