Ashikaga, Tochigi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ashikaga (Japanese: 足利市, Ashikaga-shi) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 161,259 and a density of 906.87 persons per km². The total area is 177.82 km².

During the Heian Period, Ashikaga was developed by Minamoto no Yoshikuni, whose descendants later became the Ashikaga clan.

The city was founded on January 1, 1921.

Ashikaga is home to Ashikaga Kogyō Daigaku Fuzoku Kōkō 足利工業大学付属高校(Ashikodai足工大) boys' high school, as well as Ashikaga Tanki Daigaku Fuzoku Kōkō 足利短期大学付属高校(Ashitandai足短大) girls' high school. These schools are notable due to a 15-year standing foreign exchange program with a United States high school, Elk Grove High School, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. As the city was also recently named a special area for English education by the Japanese government, all the elementary schools have native English-speaking ALTs.

Ashikaga is also home to Ashikaga Gakkō(足利学校), referred to as the oldest school in Japan. Ashikaga Flower Park is home to Japan's oldest and largest wisteria. Other locations popular with domestic tourists include Orihime Shrine and Bannaji Temple. The Watarase River Fireworks display, which takes places on the first Saturday of August attracts thousands of people from around the Kanto area.

The foothills on the outskirts of town are home to Coco Farm & Winery. Founded around 1950, the vineyards are tended by adults with special needs and staff members living in community. During the third weekend of November, a harvest festival is held with live music and wine-tasting. Thousands of visitors attend every year.