Inzai, Chiba Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Inzai (印西市, Inzai-shi) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2024, the city had an estimated population density of 900 persons per km². The total area of the city is 123.80 square km (47.80 sq mi).

Geography Inzai is located in the important area of northern Chiba Prefecture connecting Tokyo and Narita. Besides Tone River that flows in the north, Lake Tega that lies in the north-west, Imba Lake that lies in the south-east of the city, the city is also surrounded by natural environment such as natural forest. the city is located approximately 20 km from the prefectural capital at Chiba and within 30 to 40 km from central Tokyo. It is located about 15 km from Narita International Airport. The terrain is part of the Shimosa Plateau, with an elevation of 20 to 30 meters.

Surrounding Municipalities Chiba Prefecture • Kashiwa • Abiko • Shiroi • Yachiyo • Sakae • Narita • Shusui • Sakura; Ibaraki Prefecture • Tone.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Inzai has grown rapidly since 1980.

History The area of Inzai has been inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic period, with some stone tools having been found in Kikaribyo that were used by people during that time. During the Edo period, the village of Kioroshi developed as a port at the bank of Tone River.

After the Meiji Restoration, on April 1, 1889, the town of Kioroshi, and the villages of Omori, Taisha, Funoho, Rokugo, Munakata, Hongo and Eiji were founded with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The Meiji Era is also the golden age for steam ships in Tone River sailing from Tokyo to Chōshi. Taisha was raised to town status on March 1, 1913 and renamed Omori Town. In 1942, a pilot training centre was built in Sofuke. This place was hit by Allied air raids in World War II. After the war the training centre was abandoned.

On December 1, 1954, the town of Inzai was founded through the merger of the towns of Kioroshi and Taisha, and the villages of Eiji and Funaho. At the time the population was about 11,000.

The development of the Chiba New Town project and the Hokusō Line considerably boosted the development of Inzai from the mid-1980s. Inzai was elevated to city status on April 1, 1996.

On March 23, 2010, Inzai absorbed the villages of Inba and Motono (both from Inba District) to create the new and expanded city of Inzai.

Government Inzai has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Inzai, together with the neighboring town of Sakae, contributes two members to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 13th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Inzai has mixed economy dominated by large shopping centres and industrial parks. Its location and good transportation connections between Tokyo and Narita International Airport have led to numerous logistics companies establishing warehouse and distribution centres in the city. The development of Chiba New Town has also greatly increased the number of commuter residents, with over 24% of the working population traveling to Tokyo daily.

Transport: Rail JR East – Narita Line • Kioroshi – Kobayashi; Hokusō Railway Company - Hokusō Line • Chiba New Town Chūō - Inzai-Makinohara - Inba-Nihon-Idai.

Transport: Road • National Route 356 • National Route 464.

Education Inzai has 18 public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Education: University • Tokyo Denki University • Tokyo Christian University, which shares its campus with Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary. • Juntendo University.

Public libraries • Omori Library • Kobayashi Library • Sofuke Library • Oguradai Library.

Local attractions • Yokappe Yume Festival, festival is held annually in Kioroshi and Rokken Area. • Kobayashi Farm's Sakura • Kioroshi Park Monument • Tone River Morning Fog • Cosmos Bridge Evening Scenery • Narashino Country Club, host of Japan Golf Tour and PGA Tour events.