Mukō

Mukō 向日市
City
Mukō City Hall
Flag Emblem
Location of Mukō in Kyoto Prefecture
Mukō Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°57′N 135°42′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Kyoto Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Mamoru Yasuda
Area
• Total	7.72 km2 (2.98 sq mi)
Population  (2020)
• Total	56,859
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address	20,Nakano,Terada-cho,Muko-shi,Kyoto-fu 617-0002
Website	www.city.muko.kyoto.jp
Symbols
Flower	Sunflower, Azalea
Tree	Sakura, Bamboo

Mukō (向日市, Mukō-shi) is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, which served as the capital city of Japan (Nagaoka-kyō) for a decade from 784 to 794. Its neighbor cities are Kyoto and Nagaokakyō. As of 2017, the city has an estimated population of 56,859 and a population density of 7,219 persons per km². The total area is 7.72 km²(2.98 sq mi). According to the provisional results of the 2015 national census of Japan, the population of Muko is 56,859; of which male and female are 27,119 and 29,740 respectively.

History

Classical Mukō

Further information: Nagaoka-kyō

At the end of the 8th century, Emperor Kanmu moved his capital from Heijō-kyō to Nagaoka-kyō. The new capital encompassed a large part of modern Muko, where modern research has revealed the palace to have been located. In the south, it also included parts of Nagaokakyō. In 794, because of the location's moist temperature and reputation as a breeding ground for disease, Kammu relocated his capital from Nagaoka to Heian-kyō, now known as Kyoto.

Medieval Mukō

Muko town was established in 1592, during Azuchi–Momoyama period. The town's main road, called Saigoku Kaido, flourished because it connected Tō-ji in Kyoto and Nishinomiya Shrine in Settsu Province. Saigoku Kaido, which still presents a traditional and historical setting, changed name National Route 171 as important road.

Modern Mukō

Mukōmachi Station opened on July 26, 1876. Higashi-Mukō Station and Nishi-Mukō Station opened on December 1, 1928. The Muko city was founded on October 1, 1972.

Geography

Mukō, 2020 aerial photography

Muko adjoins northern Nagaoka, is surrounded by Kyoto on other three sides. There are bamboo groves are found on the hillside on the west of the city. Residential area for Kyoto and Osaka is expanded to the hill, encroaches on bamboo groves. The Itsuka Kofun, the large keyhole-shaped kofun dated to 4th century, is located in the center of the hill chain.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1886	3,528	—
1920	4,712	+33.6%
1925	5,188	+10.1%
1930	5,959	+14.9%
1940	8,072	+35.5%
1950	9,243	+14.5%
1960	12,734	+37.8%
1970	36,988	+190.5%
1980	50,604	+36.8%
1990	52,928	+4.6%
2000	53,425	+0.9%
2010	54,328	+1.7%
2020	56,859	+4.7%

Muko is a residential district that has developed since the 1970s. Accordingly, its population suddenly increased.

Politics and government

Mukō is governed by the mayor Mamoru Yasuda, an independent. The city assembly has 20 members. In 2018 the Japanese Communist Party had a presence in local politics with six members in the assembly.

Elections include:

• 2007 Mukō city assembly election

Sister cities

Mukō has been a sister city to Saratoga, California, United States since 1983.

• United States, Saratoga, California
• China, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Facilities

Mukomachi Saty Center Mukomachi Saty is a six-level shopping center with car parking located approximately 170 metres (a three-minute walk) from Higashi Muko station on Hankyu Kyoto line and 630 metres (an eight-minute walk) from JR Mukomachi station. There is an Aeon Department Store, a Japanese restaurant and a casual dining area. A specialty tea stand on the first floor sells a variety of tea from around Japan.

External links

• Media related to Mukō, Kyoto at Wikimedia Commons
• Mukō City official website (in Japanese)