Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Suzu (珠洲市, Suzu-shi) is a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2021, the city had an estimated population of 13,531 in 6013 households, and a population density of 54.6 persons per km². The total area of the city was 247.20 square km (95.44 sq mi).

History In ancient times, Suzu prospered as a gateway for trade by sea, establishing connections with places such as Izumo, Sado and Ezo. In turn, Suzu was introduced to ironware culture from a considerably early period in the Izumo era, and even gained crucial agricultural influence and knowledge to develop an agricultural society. In fact, it is thought that such ancient Noto culture originated and spread outwards from the tip of the Noto Peninsula.

In the second year of the Yōrō (718), Noto Province consisting of the 4 districts of Suzu, Fugeshi, Hakui and Noto was established. For a short period of time, the land was claimed as part of Etchū Province. During this period the famous Ōtomo no Yakamochi recited a poem about the picturesque scenery of Suzu Bay, which would later be included in the famous poetry anthology Man'yōshū. Later in the Kōji period (1143), Noto Provincial Governor Minamoto no Toshikane established Wakayama shōen which grew to become the largest estate in Noto, expanding territory to take over the majority of land in Suzu. Around this time, production of Suzu ware began, which was exported as far as Hokkaido. The area was also noted from ancient times for the production of salt.

During the Sengoku period (1467–1568), the area was contested between the Hatakeyama clan, Uesugi clan and Maeda clan, with the area becoming part of Kaga Domain under the Edo-period Tokugawa shogunate. Following the Meiji Restoration, the area was organised into one town (Iida) and 14 villages in 1889. These municipalities merged on 15 July 1954 to form the city of Suzu.

Geography Suzu occupies the north-eastern tip of the Noto Peninsula and is bordered by the Sea of Japan on three sides. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park.

Neighbouring municipalities • Ishikawa Prefecture: ◦ Wajima; ◦ Noto.

Industries • Agriculture: (Wet-land rice, Matsutake mushrooms, charcoal, and other crops) • Commercial fishing: Processing of marine goods • Livestock: Noto Beef, a regionally renowned brand • Ceramics: Portable stoves called shichirin and Suzu ware are the chief ceramic goods produced in the city. Also, diatomaceous earth is found almost anywhere within the city limits, and it has been used for ceramics since the Edo period. • Salt: Salt is still manufactured traditionally with evaporation ponds, particularly through the Agehama method of artificially flooded saltpans • Sake: There are several sake producers in the area, including the Sougen Sake Brewery

More recently, Suzu has become known for its production of specialized charcoal for use in the Japanese tea ceremony.

Education Suzu has seven public elementary schools and four middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education. The prefectural also operates one special education school.

Transport Noto Railway's Noto Line ran from Anamizu Station to Suzu's Takojima Station until April 2005, when the line was permanently closed. Today, the city does not have any passenger railway service.

Transport: Road National Route 249.

Media: Press • Hokuriku Chunichi Shimbun (Chunichi Shimbun Co.), Suzu Correspondence Division • Hokkoku Shimbun, Suzu Branch Office

Media: Television • Nouetsu Cablenet.