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Motosu, Gifu

Motosu
本巣市
City
Flag of Motosu
Flag
Location of Motosu in Gifu Prefecture
Location of Motosu in Gifu Prefecture
Motosu is located in Japan
Motosu
Motosu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 35°29′N 136°41′E / 35.483°N 136.683°E / 35.483; 136.683Coordinates: 35°29′N 136°41′E / 35.483°N 136.683°E / 35.483; 136.683
Country Japan
Region Chūbu
Prefecture Gifu Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Tsutomu Fujiwara
Area
 • Total 374.57 km2 (144.62 sq mi)
Population (July 2011)
 • Total 34,997
 • Density 93/km2 (240/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Persimmon
 • Flower Usuzumi cherry blossom
 • Bird Japanese bush-warbler
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 324 Monju, Motosu-shi, Gifu-ken
501-1292
Website www.city.motosu.lg.jp

Motosu (本巣市 Motosu-shi?) is a city in the south west of Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,997 and a population density of 93 persons per km2. The total area is 374.57 km2.

On October 28, 1891, the Mino-Owari earthquake, the second largest earthquake to hit Japan, struck. Its epicenter was located in Motosu.

The modern city of Motosu was established on February 1, 2004, from the merger of the former town of Motosu, absorbing the towns of Itonuki and Shinsei, and the village of Neo (all from Motosu District). The city's name came from Motosu District.

On April 29, 2006, Malera Gifu opened on Mitsuhashi, one of the main roads of Motosu. This shopping centre covers an area of 185,000 m2, making it one of the largest shopping centres in Japan. It houses approximately 240 retail outlets, including a supermarket (Valor), restaurants, clothes retailers and a cinema (Toho Cinema).

Like many other cities in Japan, Motosu has a tree, a flower, a fish and a bird that are associated with the city.

Motosu city's tree is the persimmon tree, which is found growing naturally in the mountainous areas of Motosu. As persimmons are also cultivated in Motosu, it was chosen to represent the agricultural industry in the area.

The city flower is the usuzumi cherry blossom found in the recently merged Neo. This unique cherry blossom initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom, and a light black colour when the flowers die. Neo is also home to one of the three largest cherry blossom trees in Japan, which is reported to be the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan.


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