Okutama, Tokyo

Okutama (Oku-Tama)
奥多摩町
Town

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Location of Okutama (Oku-Tama) in Tokyo Metropolis
Okutama (Oku-Tama)

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 35°48′N 139°6′E / 35.800°N 139.100°E / 35.800; 139.100Coordinates: 35°48′N 139°6′E / 35.800°N 139.100°E / 35.800; 139.100
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tokyo Metropolis
District Nishitama
Government
 • Mayor Fumio Kawamura
Area
 • Total 225.63 km2 (87.12 sq mi)
Population (September 2011)
 • Total 6,090
 • Density 27/km2 (70/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Cryptomeria
 • Flower Azalea
 • Bird Copper pheasant
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address 215-6, Hikawa, Okutama Town, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo
198-0212
Website www.town.okutama.tokyo.jp/index00.html
Fishing is popular in Okutama.

Okutama (奥多摩町 Okutama-machi, Oku-Tama-machi) is a town located in Nishitama District, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of August 1, 2007, the town had a population of 6712 people, of which 3280 were men and 3432 were women.[1] With an area of 225.63 km2, it is the largest community in Tokyo. Mount Kumotori, Tokyo's highest peak at 2017 m, divides Okutama from the Okuchichibu region of the neighboring Saitama and Yamanashi Prefectures. Tokyo's northernmost and westernmost points lie in Okutama, as does Lake Okutama, an important source of water for Tokyo, situated above the Ogōchi Dam in the town.

History

Prehistory

People began settling in Okutama at least during the Jomon Period and many archaeological sites have been found with ancient pottery. During this time period, humans hunted and gathered edible plants. However, during the Yayoi Period, humans learned the skill of growing rice, and began moving to the rather flatter lands of present-day Okutama. But there is not much evidence for the moving of humans during the Yayoi Period, for 94% of the town was covered by forests and only small flat lands existed.[2]

Edo

During the Edo Period, the area included in present-day Okutama was divided into 16 villages. In each village, there was one being serving as the mayor, another serving as the leader of a particular group, and another serving as a representative for the farmers. Also, entering Mount Takanosu was forbidden for people of low rank during the Edo Period. This was because the people of high rank (government officials and such) hunted for hawks at the mountain, and the officials wanted to keep the hawks for themselves.[2]

Modern Times

Because of the new system of changing and merging areas into prefectures, the Okutama area (not yet a town) became part of Nirayama Prefecture except for Kotaba village, which was merged into Maebashi Han. Maebashi Han was turned into Maebashi Prefecture in 1871, and then became part of Gunma Prefecture. While Kotaba village was turned into part of Maebashi city, the Okutama area was divided into three villages in 1889, due to a new system of dividing areas into towns and villages. The three villages were called Hikawa, Kori, and Ogouchi. In 1940, Hikawa village was renamed Hikawa town. Then in 1955, Hikawa town, Ogouchi village and Kori village were united, and Okutama town was created.[2]

Geography

Located in western Tokyo, the town is very mountainous. The largest municipality in Tokyo, Okutama is also known for having the highest mountain in the prefecture, Mount Kumotori, as well. A large portion of the town is covered by forests, and the upstream of the Tama River is located here.[3]

Mountains

Rivers

Lakes

Surrounding municipalities

Transportation

Okutama Station

Rail

The East Japan Railway Company serves the town. The Ōme line, which connects the town with Tachikawa, terminates at Okutama Station.

Bus

The Nishi Tokyo Bus Co. carries passengers to Lake Okutama, the Nippara Limestone Cave, Tabayama village and Kosuge village (both in Yamanashi Prefecture) from Okutama Station.

Road

Education

There are two primary schools and two junior high schools in Okutama, all named after the former villages of Kori and Kōrikawa.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education operates Mizuho High School[8] in nearby Mizuho. The school district operates the following high schools in Akiruno:

The school district operates the following high schools in Ōme:

Sister cities

Outside Japan

Notable places

A forest in the Okuchichibu Mountains

All of the town is located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.

View of Mount Kumotori from Mount Nanatsuishi

References

  1. ↑ 東京都奥多摩町ホームページ
  2. 1 2 3 Introduction to Okutama
  3. ↑ 考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu. 四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan. 2005. p. 113.
  4. ↑ 奥多摩町観光案内-奥多摩トレッキングコース-雲取山
  5. ↑ 奥多摩町観光案内-奥多摩トレッキングコース-御前山・三頭山
  6. ↑ 奥多摩町観光案内-奥多摩トレッキングコース-大岳山・御岳山
  7. ↑ 奥多摩町観光案内-奥多摩トレッキングコース-川苔山
  8. ↑ http://www.mizuho-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  9. ↑ http://www.akiru-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  10. ↑ http://www.itsukaichi-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  11. ↑ http://www.norin-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  12. ↑ http://www.ome-sogo-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  13. ↑ http://www.tama-h.metro.tokyo.jp/
  14. ↑ 楽しく学ぶ小学生の地図帳 Tanoshiku Manabu Shogakusei no Chizucho. 帝国書院 Teikoku-Shoin. 2004. p. 37.
  15. ↑ http://ridgelineimages.com/sightseeing/10-lesser-known-places-visit-near-tokyo/

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Okutama.
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