Mizuho, Gifu

Mizuho (瑞穂市, Mizuho-shi) is a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of 31 March 2024^[update], the city had an estimated population of 56,168 and a population density of 1951 persons per km², in 23,756 households.^[1] The total area of the city was 28.19 square kilometres (10.88 sq mi).

Mizuho 瑞穂市
City
Mizuho City Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Mizuho in Gifu Prefecture
Mizuho
Coordinates: 35°23′30.5″N 136°41′27.1″E
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Gifu
Government
• Mayor	Toshiaki Tanahashi (since June 2015)
Area
• Total	28.19 km2 (10.88 sq mi)
Population  (November 30, 2018)
• Total	54,686
• Density	1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Hydrangea
Phone number	058-327-4111
Address	1288 Beppu, Mizuho-shi, Gifu-ken 501-0293
Website	Official website

Ozu Park

Geography

Mizuho is located in south-west Gifu Prefecture in the northwestern part of the Nōbi Plain, sandwiched between the cities of Gifu and Ōgaki. The Nagara River and the Ibi River flow through the city. Mizuho is surrounded by the city of Seki to the west, south and east, and by the city of Gujō to the north.

Climate

The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Mizuho is 15.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1942 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.1 °C.^[2]

Neighbouring municipalities

• Gifu Prefecture
  • Cities of Gifu, Ōgaki and Motosu
  • Towns of Kitagata (Motosu District) and Anpachi and Gōdo (Anpachi District)

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,^[3] the population of Mizuho has increased rapidly over the past 50 years.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1970	21,236	—
1980	32,247	+51.9%
1990	40,074	+24.3%
2000	46,571	+16.2%
2010	51,950	+11.6%
2020	56,388	+8.5%

History

The area around Mizuho was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, Mieji-juku prospered as a post station: on the Nakasendo highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, most of the area of Mizuho was part of Ogaki Domain or was tenryō territory administered by various hatamoto. In the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, Motosu District in Gifu prefecture was created, and with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on July 1, 1889 the town of Kozuchi was created. The modern city of Mizuho was established on May 1, 2003, from the merger of the towns of Hozumi (穂積) and Sunami (巣南).^[4] (both from Motosu District).

Government

Mizuho has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Education

Universities

• Asahi University

Primary and secondary education

Mizuho has seven public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government. The city does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway

• Central Japan Railway Company - Tōkaidō Main Line
  • Hozumi
• Tarumi Railway - Tarumi Line
  • Yokoya - Jūkujō - Mieji

Highway

• National Route 21