View source for Kita, Tokyo

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kita
| official_name = Kita City
| native_name = {{nobold|北区}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Special wards of Tokyo|Special ward]]
| other_name = 
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline = Asukayama Park.jpg
| imagesize = 
| image_caption = [[Asukayama Park]] in Ōji, Kita, Tokyo
| image_flag = Flag of Kita, Tokyo.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Kita, Tokyo.svg
| seal_type = Emblem
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map = Kita-ku in Tokyo Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location of Kita in [[Tokyo|Tokyo Metropolis]]
| pushpin_map = Japan#Japan Tokyo#Japan Tokyo city
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan##Location within Tokyo Metropolis##Location within the Special wards of Tokyo
| coordinates = {{coord|35|45|N|139|44|E|region:JP-13|display=it}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tokyo|Tokyo Metropolis]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = 
<!-- established -->
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date = 
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date = 
| founder = 
| named_for = 
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat = 
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party = 
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Kanako Yamada <small>(from April 27, 2023)</small>
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 = 
<!-- display settings -->
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref = Metric
<!-- area -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 20.61
| area_land_km2 = 
| area_water_km2 = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_note = 
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m = 
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes =  <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 355,213
| population_as_of = October 1, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toukei.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tnenkan/2020/tn20q3e002.htm|publisher=Tokyo Statistical Yearbook|language=en|accessdate=2022-07-15|title=Population by District}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 17,234
| population_est = 
| pop_est_as_of = 
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code = 
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{URL|www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/}}
| footnotes = 
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
 | tree = [[Cherry blossom]]
 | flower = ''[[Rhododendron]]''
 | bird = 
 | flowering_tree = 
 | butterfly = 
 | fish = 
 | other_symbols = 
}}
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Kita'''|北区|Kita-ku|"Northern ward"}} is a [[Special wards of Tokyo|special ward]] in the [[Tokyo|Tokyo Metropolis]] in [[Japan]]. The English translation of its Japanese self-designation is '''City of Kita'''. The ward was founded on March 15, 1947.

As of May 1, 2015, the ward has an estimated population of 340,287, and a population density of 16,510 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area is 20.61&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

==Districts and neighborhoods==
{{col-begin|width=40%}}
{{col-break}}
;Akabane-Iwabuchi Area{{efn|group=KitaTokyoPP|name=Oji|Formerly part of the pre-1946 Ward of Ōji.}}
* [[Akabane, Tokyo|Akabane]]
* {{ill|Akabanedai|ja|赤羽台}}
* {{ill|Akabanekita|ja|赤羽北}}
* {{ill|Akabaneminami|ja|赤羽南}}
* {{ill|Akabanenishi|ja|赤羽西}}
* {{ill|Iwabuchimachi|ja|岩淵町}}
* {{ill|Kamiya, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Kamiya|ja|神谷 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Kirigaoka, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Kirigaoka|ja|桐ケ丘 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Nishigaoka|ja|西が丘}}
* {{ill|Shimo|ja|志茂}}
* {{ill|Ukima|ja|浮間}}
{{col-break}}
;Ōji Area{{efn|group=KitaTokyoPP|name=Oji}}
* {{ill|Higashijūjō|ja|東十条}}
* {{ill|Horifune|ja|堀船}}
* {{ill|Jūjōdai|ja|十条台}}
* {{ill|Jūjōnakahara|ja|十条仲原}}
* {{ill|Kamijūjō|ja|上十条}}
* {{ill|Kishimachi|ja|岸町 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Nakajūjō|ja|中十条}}
* {{ill|Ōji, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Ōji|ja|王子 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Ōjihonmachi|ja|王子本町}}
* {{ill|Toshima, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Toshima|ja|豊島 (東京都北区)}}
{{col-break}}
;Takinogawa Area{{efn|group=KitaTokyoPP|name=Takinogawa|Formerly part of the pre-1946 Ward of Takinogawa.}}
* {{ill|Higashitabata|ja|東田端}}
* {{ill|Kaminakazato|ja|上中里}}
* {{ill|Nakazato, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Nakazato|ja|中里 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Nishigahara|ja|西ケ原}}
* {{ill|Sakaemachi|ja|栄町}}
* {{ill|Shōwachō|ja|昭和町}}
* {{ill|Tabata, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Tabata|ja|田端 (東京都北区)}}
* {{ill|Tabatashin-machi|ja|田端新町}}
* {{ill|Takinogawa, Kita, Tokyo|lt=Takinogawa|ja|滝野川 (東京都北区)}}
{{col-end}}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=KitaTokyoPP}}

==History==
The area was a collection of rural villages and towns until the 1880s, when it was connected by rail to central Tokyo ([[Ōji Station (Tokyo)|Oji Station]] opening in 1883). Parts of the area joined [[Tokyo City]] in 1932 as the Ōji (former Ōji and Iwabuchi towns) and Takinogawa (former Takinogawa town) Wards. Kita was officially formed in 1947 by the merger of these wards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/yoran/rekishi.html |title=歴史年表｜東京都北区 |access-date=April 28, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072021/http://www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/yoran/rekishi.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
The name ''Kita,'' meaning "north," reflects the location among the wards of Tokyo. To its north lie the cities of [[Kawaguchi, Saitama|Kawaguchi]] and [[Toda, Saitama|Toda]] in [[Saitama Prefecture]]. To the east, south and west lie other special wards: [[Adachi, Tokyo|Adachi]], [[Arakawa, Tokyo|Arakawa]], [[Itabashi, Tokyo|Itabashi]], [[Bunkyō, Tokyo|Bunkyō]], and [[Toshima, Tokyo (ward)|Toshima]].

Four rivers run through Kita: 
*[[Arakawa River (Kanto)|Arakawa River]] 
*[[Shakujii River]]
*[[Shingashi River]]
*[[Sumida River]]

==Famous sites==
* [[Asukayama Park]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions.html |title=Oji, a greenery historic town with budget-friendly attractions |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Tokyo Travel |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref>
* Chūō Park (formerly Camp Oji)
* [[Kyu-Furukawa Gardens]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/kita/spot/40196.html |title=Kyu Furukawa Gardens
 |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Official Tokyo Travel Guide |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref> designated a [[List of Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan (Tōkyō)|National Place of Scenic Beauty]].
* Nanushi-no-taki Park<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions.html |title=Oji, a greenery historic town with budget-friendly attractions |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Tokyo Travel |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Oji Shrine]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/kita/spot/40686.html |title=Oji Jinja Shrine |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Official Tokyo Travel Guide |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions.html |title=Oji, a greenery historic town with budget-friendly attractions |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Tokyo Travel |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref> one of the {{Nihongo|Tokyo Ten Shrines|東京十社|Tokyo Jissha}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tencoo.fc2web.com/jinja/xzyussha.htm |title=Tokyo Ten Jinja Shrine |author=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref>
* Oji [[Inari (god)|Inari]] shrine<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/attractions/oji-attractions.html |title=Oji, a greenery historic town with budget-friendly attractions |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Tokyo Travel |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref>
* Ukima Park

==Economy==
The head office of [[Seiyu Group]] is in Kita.<ref>"[http://www.seiyu.co.jp/english/corporate_e.shtml Corporate Data] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418092116/http://www.seiyu.co.jp/english/corporate_e.shtml |date=2008-04-18 }}." ''[[Seiyu Group]]''. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.</ref>

==Education==
[[File:International French School in Tokyo.JPG|thumb|[[Lycée Français International de Tokyo]]]]
The city's public elementary and middle schools are operated by the [[City of Kita Board of Education]].

The city's public high schools are operated by the [[Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education]].
* {{ill|Asuka High School|ja|東京都立飛鳥高等学校}} (東京都立飛鳥高等学校)
* {{ill|Akabane Commercial High School|ja|東京都立赤羽商業高等学校}} (東京都立赤羽商業高等学校)
* {{ill|Kirigaoka High School|ja|東京都立桐ケ丘高等学校}} (東京都立桐ケ丘高等学校)
* {{ill|Oji Technical High School|ja|東京都立王子総合高等学校}} (東京都立王子総合高等学校)

The following private domestic schools are in the ward:
* [[Joshi Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School]] (for girls) – Nakazato<ref name=About>"[https://www.seig.ac.jp/english/girls/index.html English]." [[Joshi Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School]]. Retrieved on January 10, 2019. "Joshi Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School 3-12-2 Nakazato, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-8574 JAPAN"</ref>
* [[Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School]] (for boys) – {{ill|Nakazato, Tokyo|lt=Nakazato|ja|中里 (東京都北区)}}<ref>"[https://www.seig.ac.jp/english/boys/index.html English]." Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School. Retrieved on January 10, 2019. "Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School 3-12-1 Nakazato, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-8502 JAPAN"</ref>

The following international schools are in the ward:
*[[École Internationale Franco-Japonaise 東京日仏国際学園 EIFJ Tokyo]] (French-English-Japanese)
*[[Lycée Français International de Tokyo]] (French)
*[[Tokyo Korean Junior and Senior High School]] (North Korean)

The following universities are in the ward:
* [[Tokyo Seitoku University]]
* [[Tokyo University of Social Welfare]]

==Transportation==

===Rail===
*[[JR East]]
**[[Tōhoku Main Line]], [[Takasaki Line]], [[Utsunomiya Line]]: Oku, Akabane Stations
**[[Saikyō Line]] ([[Akabane Line]]): Itabashi, Jujo, Akabane, Kita Akabane, Ukima Funado Stations
**[[Keihin-Tōhoku Line]]: Tabata, Kami Nakazato, Ōji, Higashi Jujo, Akabane Stations
**[[Yamanote Line]]: Tabata Station
*[[Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation]] [[Tokyo Sakura Tram]]: Nishigahara-yonchome, Takinogawa-ichome, Asukayama, Oji-ekimae, Sakaecho, Kajiwara Stations
*[[Tokyo Metro Namboku Line]]: Nishigahara, Ōji, Ōji Kamiya, Shimo, Akabane Iwabuchi Stations
*[[Saitama Rapid Railway Line]] (Sainokuni Stadium Line): Akabane-Iwabuchi Station

===Highways===
*[[Shuto Expressway]] C2 Central Loop (Itabashi JCT – Kasai JCT)
*[[National Route 17 (Japan)|Route 17]] (Nakasendō)

==Notable people from Kita==
*[[Kōbō Abe]], [[List of Japanese writers|Japanese writer]], playwright, musician, photographer, inventor and novelist
*[[Kyoko Fukada]], model, actress, and singer
*[[Megumi Hayashibara]], [[seiyuu]], musician, singer, writer, radio DJ and TV talk show host, certified nurse
*[[Hikaru Ijuin]], radio and television personality
*[[Elephant Kashimashi]], rock band<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/koho/kuse/koho/cp/akabanecp.html |title=北区シティプロモーション事業「東京都北区赤羽×エレファントカシマシ」を開催！ |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=November 8, 2018 |publisher=Kita City |access-date=January 5, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[Kiyoshi Kodama]], actor and TV personality
*[[Yuki Chiba]], rapper
*[[Yuichi Nakamaru]], singer-songwriter, actor, television personality, radio host, and a member of [[KAT-TUN]]
*[[Kazuya Yoshii]], singer-songwriter and musician<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yoshiikazuya.com/pc/about/|title = 吉井和哉｜Yoshii Kazuya Official Website}}</ref> ([[The Yellow Monkey]])

==International relations==
Kita has a [[sister city]] relationship with [[Xuanwu District, Beijing]], China.

It is also twinned with the following cities in Japan.
*[[Kanra, Gunma]]
*[[Nakanojō, Gunma]]
*[[Sakata, Yamagata]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Tokyo}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Tokyo/North|North Tokyo}}
*[http://www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/ Kita City Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Kita, Tokyo}}
{{Tokyo}}
{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}

{{Most populous cities in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kita, Tokyo| ]]
[[Category:Wards of Tokyo]]