About Iwaki

Briefly
Iwaki is a city in southeastern Fukushima Prefecture. It borders Ibaraki Prefecture to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Its southern position and long coast give it fairly mild temperatures in both winter and summer.undefined Iwaki also enjoys the most sunshine of anywhere in Tohoku (northern Japan), earning it the nickname "Sunshine Iwaki."undefined

Iwaki was originally made up of 14 separate towns/villages, which were merged in 1966. At the time of the merger, Iwaki became the largest city (in area) in Japan.undefined

Quick Facts

 * 1) Population: 348,035 people
 * 2) Households: 141,098
 * 3) Area: 1232.02 km sq.
 * 4) Coordinates: N37°02'51", E140°53'29"undefined
 * 5) City Song: Young Town, Iwakiundefined
 * 6) City Tree: Black Pine
 * 7) City Flower: Azalea
 * 8) City Bird: Seagull
 * 9) City Fish: Mehikari (Chlorophthalmus albatrossis)undefined
 * 10) City Symbol: A stylized い representing growth, peace and harmony
 * 11) City Logo: A stylized い against the rising sun, symbolizing vitality and determinationundefined

Geography
Iwaki slopes gently down from the Abukuma Highlands in the west to the east, gradually leveling off. The Natsui River and Samegawa Rivers flow through, emptying into the Pacific Ocean.undefined

Areas
The southern area includes Ueda, Izumi, Nakoso, Tabito, Nishiki, Yamada, and Watanabe.

The eastern area includes the regions of Onahama, Nagasaki, Numanouchi, Toyoma, and Ena.

The central area includes Taira, Yoshima, Akai, Kabeya, Uchigou, Toono *Iritoono and Katoono), and Yumoto (Jouban), as well as Kashima, Takaku, and Iino.

The northern area includes the regions of Ogawa, Natsui, Kawamae, Yotsukura, Hisanohama, Oohisa, Oono, Kusano, and Miwa.

There regions are often grouped into 13 large 'hamlets'undefined: Taira, Onahama, Nakoso, Jouban (Yumoto), Uchigou, Yotsukura, Toono, Ogawa, Yoshima, Miwa, Tabito, Kawamae, and Hisanohama - Oohisa.

The map at right was made with reference to Iwaki's guide bookundefined and Google maps.