Shimotsuke, Tochigi Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Shimotsuke (下野市, Shimotsuke-shi) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2020, the city had an estimated population density of 810 persons per km². The total area of the city is 74.59 square km (28.80 sq mi).

Geography Shimotsuke is located in southern Tochigi Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities Tochigi Prefecture • Utsunomiya • Oyama • Tochigi • Mooka • Mibu • Kaminokawa.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Shimotsuke has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.

History The city of Shimotsuke was established on January 10, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Minamikawachi (from Kawachi District), and the towns of Kokubunji and Ishibashi (both from Shimotsuga District).

Government Shimotsuke has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature council of 18 members. Shimotsuke contributes one member to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Tochigi 1st district and the Tochigi 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Agriculture and light manufacturing are mainstays of the local economy, with production of Kanpyō, turmeric and spinach being prominent local crops. The city is increasingly a bedroom community for neighboring Utsunomiya.

Education • Jichi Medical University • Shimotsuke also has twelve public primary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government. The town has one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transport: Rail JR East – Tōhoku Main Line (Utsunomiya Line) • Koganei - Jichiidai - Ishibashi.

Transport: Road • National Route 4 • National Route 352.

Local attractions • Shimotsuke Kokubun-ji ruins, National Historic Site • Shimotsuke Kokubunni-ji ruins, National Historic Site • Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji temple and grave of Dōkyō, National Historic Site • Kabutozuka Kofun, National Historic Site • Koganei Ichirizuka, National Historic Site.