Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Shimizu (清水町, Shimizu-chō) is a town in Suntō District of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2019, the town had an estimated population density of 3,700 persons per km². The total area of the town was 8.81 square km (3.40 sq mi).

Geography Shimizu is located at the northern end of Izu Peninsula. Both the Kakita River and the Kano River flow through the town. The area has a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

Neighboring municipalities Shizuoka Prefecture ◦ Numazu; ◦ Mishima; ◦ Nagaizumi.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Shimizu has been increasing over the past 70 years.

History Shimizu is located in the far eastern portion of former Suruga Province, and was largely tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into the village of Shimizu within Suntō District, Shizuoka through the merger of 11 small hamlets.

Shimizu attained town status in 1963. There have been numerous unsuccessful attempts to merge Shimizu into neighboring Numazu (1966, 1967, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007).

Economy The economy of Shimizu is largely based on agriculture. The town also serves as a bedroom community for the industrial zones in neighboring Numazu and Mishima.

Education Shimizu has three public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town government. The town has one public high school operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail Shimizu does not have any passenger railway service.

Transport: Road • National Route 1.