Fukuchiyama, Kyōto Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Fukuchiyama (福知山市) is a city in northern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, on the Yura River. It is about 25 km inland from the Sea of Japan at the Fukuchiyama Valley's southern end, and is surrounded by mountains to the south, west, and east. The city was founded in 1937.

Geography Fukuchiyama is located in north-western Kyoto Prefecture, bordering Hyogo Prefecture to the west. It is centered on the Fukuchiyama Basin formed by the Yura River, and is surrounded by mountains to the south, west, and east. It is located about 70 km from downtown Osaka, 60 km from Kyoto or Kobe City, and about 30 km from Toyooka or Maizuru. The highest elevation in the city is 839.17 meters above sea level, and the lowest is 7.11meters. The city centre extends along the Yura River.

Neighbouring municipalities Kyoto Prefecture • Maizuru • Ayabe • Miyazu • Kyōtango • Yosano; Hyōgo Prefecture • Tamba • Toyooka • Asago • Sasayama.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Fukuchiyama has remained relatively stable over the past 60 years.

History Fukuchiyama is part of ancient Tanba Province. From various excavated items, people have been living along the Yura River since at least the Jōmon period and the area was a transportation hub since ancient times. In the Heian period, the Fukuchiyama basin was developed into a number of shōen landed estates by the Five regent houses in Kyoto. In the Sengoku period, the area came under the control of Akechi Mitsuhide and a castle town developed around Fukuchiyama Castle. In the Edo Period, it was the centre of Fukuchiyama Domain, which was ruled by a succession of fudai daimyō. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Fukuchiyama was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to city status on April 1, 1937, becoming the third city in Kyoto Prefecture after Kyoto and Fushimi. The city borders expanded in 1936, 1949, 1955. On January 1, 2006, the towns of Miwa and Yakuno (both from Amata District), and the town of Ōe (from Kasa District) were merged into Fukuchiyama. Amata District was abolished by this merger.

Government Fukuchiyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 24 members. Fukuchiyama contributes two members to the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kyoto 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Fukuchiyama has a mixed economy with commerce, light manufacturing and agriculture. Traditionally, the local economy was noted for indigo dying, cotton and silk production; however, the city industrialised as a supplier of components for the military. Postwar, a number of industrial parks, notably the Osadano Industrial Park, have developed.

Education Fukuchiyama has 19 public elementary schools and eight public middle schools and one combined elementary/middle school operated by the city government and two public high schools and one combined middle/high school operated by the Kyoto Prefectural Department of Education. There are also two private high schools and one private combined middle high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. A private college, the University of Fukuchiyama, is located in Fukuchiyama and the Kyoto Institute of Technology has a campus in the city.

Transport: Rail JR West – San'in Main Line • Isa - Fukuchiyama - Kamikawaguchi - Shimo-Yakuno - Kami-Yakuno; JR West – Fukuchiyama Line • Fukuchiyama; Kyoto Tango Railway – Miyafuku Line • Fukuchiyama - Fukuchiyama-shimin-byōin-guchi - Aragakashinokidai - Maki - Shimo-Amazu - Gujō - Ōe - Ōe-Kōkōmae - Futamata - Ōeyamaguchi-Naiku.

Transport: Road • Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway • National Route 9 • National Route 173 • National Route 175 • National Route 176 • National Route 426 • National Route 429.

Local attractions • Fukuchiyama Castle.

Sport Fukuchiyama is the birthplace of tambo rugby.