Hitachinaka, Ibaraki


Hitachinaka is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 June 2019, the city had an estimated population of 155,187, and a population density of 1,552 persons per km². Its total area is. It is a "hiragana city", the place name is written with the hiragana syllabary, and not the traditional kanji.

Geography

Hitachinaka is located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east.

Surrounding municipalities

The towns of Hiraiso and Minato, as well as the village of Katsuta were created within Naka District with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Minato was renamed Nakaminato in 1938. Katsuta was elevated to town status in 1940. During World War II, the area was subject to air raids and to shelling by Allied warships due to its numerous factories producing war-related materials. On March 31, 1954, the towns of Nakaminato and Hiraiso merged, forming the city of Nakaminato. Katsuta was raised to city status on November 1 of the same year. The two cities merged on November 1, 1994, to form the city of Hitachinaka.

Economy

Hitachinaka developed primarily as a company town for Hitachi group factories, and Hitachi remains the primary employer. Secondary industries include commercial fishing, agriculture and seasonal tourism.

Education

Hitachinaka has 20 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and five high schools. There is also one technical institute and one special education school.

Transportation

Railway

Hitachinaka is twinned with: