Uozu is a city in the eastern part of Toyama Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 42,224 in 16,811 households and a population density of 210 persons per km². Its total area was.
Geography
Uozu lies in between Namerikawa and Kurobe, stretching from Toyama Bay and the Sea of Japan in the northwest to tall mountain ranges in the southeast. The highest mountains in Uozu are Sougadake and Kekachiyama, and the highest elevation in Uozu is 2,414 m. Several rapid rivers run through Uozu; from east to west, they are the Fuse River, the Katakai River, the Kado River, and the Hayatsuki River. Much of the area is a dispersed settlement typical of this region of Japan. Uozu has a humid continental climate characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Uozu is 13.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2278 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.4 °C.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Uozu has remained stable over the past 40 years.
Census Year
Population
1970
47,124
1980
49,512
1990
49,514
2000
47,136
2010
44,959
History
The area of present-day Uotsu was part of ancient Etchū Province and has been inhabited since at least the Jōmon period. Discovery of gold in the mountains of Uozu around 1394 led to an influx of people, making the area around Matsukura Castle a center for the region. Later, when Matsukura Castle was destroyed, the center was reestablished around Uozu Castle close to the sea. In 1582, the Siege of Uozu occurred between forces allied to the Uesugi clan, and forces under Oda Nobunaga. Uozu Castle was captured by Oda forces only three days before Oda's assassination at the Honnō-ji incident. Under the Edo periodTokugawa shogunate, Uozu was part of Kaga Domain ruled by the Maeda clan. The modern town of Uozu was established with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The Taisho rice riots of 1918 began at Uozu before spreading across the country. Most of the western portion of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1943, but the town escaped damage in World War II. Uozu was raised to city status on April 1, 1952. In September 1956, a great fire ravished many buildings in Uozu.
The waters of Toyama Bay are noted for mirages, especially during spring and winter. The spring mirage for which Uozu is famous for may be seen on warm, sunny, windless days from April to June. The Mirage Land Amusement Park with its large Ferris wheel is a popular location for observation of the phenomena.
Firefly Squid
In the early morning hours, from the end of March to the beginning of June, female firefly squid rise to the surface to spawn. Their name comes from a bluish white glow which emanates from various points on their bodies.
Approximately 2000 years ago, a primeval sugi forest along the coast was partially buried so that only the trunks were preserved. The area is a National Natural Monument, and there is a museum in Uotsu where examples can be seen.
Other
Other noteworthy sightseeing destinations in Uozu include the Uozu Aquarium, Kintaro Hot Springs, Ariso Dome Gymnasium, Niikawa Culture Hall, the Uozu Historical Folk Museum, Lake Ikejiri, Hirazawa Waterfalls and site of Matsukura Castle.
