Yasuyuki Fujiwara, Mayor of Itami

Itami is the birthplace of refined sake, and has prospered as a core town of the region. Itami's long history led to a flourishing culture : for instance haiku poem and so on. Also Itami city is surrounded by an abundant natural environment and is richly blessed with the water and flora of Koyaike Park which is well known for a wild bird paradise though Itami is in the metropolitan area.
Also, one of the important airports of the nation is located in our city, namely Itami Airport. It has a high reputation for easy access to major cities in Japan. In addition, I am very proud that our city and people have great capacity in many fields, in fact we have many excellent corporations, and citizens who are very active for community improvement. Itami has lots of such local excellent resources. In the current trend of administrative decentralization, I will proceed to create an attractive and dreamy city, taking advantage of our rich local resources together with our citizens.

Profile of the City

Itami City is located in the middle of Muko Plains. The city hosts a number of technologically advanced industries and is the site of Osaka International Airport. Itami is a city that combines the ancient tradition and beauty of Japan with the amenities and comforts of modern civilization.

Location

A gently hill town between Ina-river and Muko-river in the south-east area of Hyogo-prefecture. Surrounding by Amagasaki-city, Nishinomiya-city, Takarazuka-city, Kawanishi-city in Hyogo-pref. And Toyonaka-city, Ikeda-city in Osaka-pref. Longitude 135degrees 24minutes East, Latitude 34degrees 47minutes North. 6 meters at the lowest point, 45 meters at the highest point. 10 kilo meters distance to Umeda, Osaka. It takes 13 minutes by JR Kaisoku train from Itami to Osaka-station and 20 minutes by Hankyu train to Umeda-station via Tsukaguchi-station.

City Guide Map

Mild Setouchi-Climate

Mild Setouchi-ClimateSpeaking of weather, it indicates Setouchi climate which means very mild and rather less rain whole year. According to survey made by Itami City Fire Dept. for 1997, shows the average temperature was 17.7degrees centigrated(from-3.2degrees centigrated to33.7degrees centigrated).Total precipitation 1542.5mm. fine weather 35 days, cloudy 122 days, rainy 47 days for the year 1997.

Area,Size and Population

Itami city has 25.09 square kilometers with a population of 194,115 (as of Oct 1st, 2007). It is 7 kilometers from east to west and 6.5 kilometers from north to south. 70,806 households(population density : 7,709/square kilometers）. The number of elderly people(over 65-year-old) in our city is 35,259, it consists about 18.2 per cent of whole population.

History

Itami's history may be traced back as far as 4,500 years, when the area's first inhabitants arrived. Growing of rice began locally about 2,300 years ago. During the Nara Period, the priest Gyoki supervised such projects as construction of Koya Pond and Koyaike Hospital. Later, warriors known by the family name Itami began to rule the area. In 1574, the warrior Murashige Araki attacked the Itami and renamed Itami Castle Arioka Castle. Subsequently, Murashige betrayed a military captain, Nobunaga Oda, and Arioka Castle was burned. During the Edo Period. Itami became famous for its poets, writers and sake industry. Itami's municipality established in 1940, that was 174th city in Japan at that time, in 1955 Itami merged with two adjoining villages, increasing the city's area 25.09 square kilometers.

Building Up a Peaceful Society

In an International society, respect for basic human rights and community peace are vital. In light of this fact, Itami is currently building a monument to peace and is undertaking many projects to combat discrimination.

Life-long Integrated Learning

To meet the various study needs of all ages, Itami offers complete facilities for life-long, integrated learning. Such facilities include Central Public Hall, Itami Aerospace Museum with Planetarium, Insectarium, and an out-door recreation area in Sanda city.

School Education

Public schools rank high among Itami's priorities. The city views schools as the groundwork for life-long education. Computers and audio-visual aids enhance school life for Itami students. Also promoted are human rights education, physical education and sports activities.

Art and Culture

Billing itself as a City of Theater, Itami offers excellent cultural facilities such as Itami City Museum of Art, AI Hall(drama hall), Museum of Arts Crafts ITAMI, Aiphonic Hall(music hall) and newly opened Itami Hall(municipal culture center). With these resources, Itami residents have ample access to a rich cultural life.

Industry

Local industry has advanced remarkably, making Itami one of the major centers in the Hanshin Industrial Area. Along with manufacturing and other high technological industries, the service sector is on the rise with an increase in 24-hour convenience stores and mini-supermarkets. Agriculture remains vital another local industry. The city seeks recommendations of crops most appropriate for urban agriculture.

Tourism

The more leisure time we have, the more opportunities we have to make our lives enjoyable. To make better use of natural resources like Koyaike Pond and Zugaike Pond, historical properties and cultural remains should be promoted to encourage tourism.

The Information Network

An expanded information network will improve life for residents and enhance industrial development. A well-equipped information system in every fields.

Transportation

Public transportation is available throughout the city. In addition to municipal bus service over a wide network, Itami city is serviced by Hankyu and JR rail lines. Itami's transportation system provides access to all parts of the city.

Improving Integrated Administration

Strengthen ties with neighboring cities from the goal of a strong civic improvement program. Under this program, integrated regional administration is being considered. Such integration will allow Itami and its neighbors to collectively tackle common problems and respond effectively to public opinion.

Our Sister Cities

IINAN TOWN

area : 242.87 square kilometers
population : 5,704 (as of September 1,2009)
Iinan is located in the mid-mountains at a height of 450 meters above sea level in Shimane-Pref. Japan. Iinan is well known for producing Koshihikari rice and beef. We became sister city in 1980.

OMURA CITY

area : 126.10 square kilometers
population : 84,679 (as of February 1,2000)
An old castle town located near the center of Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu became Itami's sister city in 1980.
Omura City is famous for Omura Zakura(cherry tree) and Sumitada Omura,
Japan's First Christian feudal lord. He sent a delegation of youth to Europe.

HASSELT CITY, KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

area : 102 square kilometers
population : 70,000
Hasselt is located 80 Kilometers east of Brussels, the Belgian capital.
With a 1,000-year history. Hasselt is the capital of Limburg province and an economic and cultural center. Itami and Hasselt signed a sister city affiliation in 1985.

FOSHAN CITY, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

area : 3,813 square kilometers
population : 3,160,000
Foshan signed an exchange agreement with Itami in 1985. Located in the central area of Kwangtung, 20 kilometers southwest of the capital, Foshan is well known for silk cloth. The city is also the birthplace of China's overseas mercantilism.

City Assembly

Itami City Assembly consists of 36 members. All members belong to one of four standing committees.