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is a city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. Prior to 1576 it had been known as Kunitomo. The name was changed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in tribute to Oda Nobunaga when Hideyoshi moved his center of administration from Odani to Kunitomo.
On February 13, 2006, the towns of Azai and Biwa from Higashiazai District merged with the city to create the current city of Nagahama, which will replace all municipal organizations - including the old city of Nagahama itself. The current city is now historically located within both Sakata and Higashiazai Districts.

Contents

The naming

New city of Nagahama

Former city of Nagahama

Municipal Timeline

Population Count (final)

Sightseeing

Sister cities

Within Japan

Outside Japan

External links

The naming

Nagahama used to be known as Imahama, but Oda Nobunaga renamed it Nagahama. The name means ''Long Beach'' in Japanese.

New city of Nagahama

On February 13, 2006, the towns of Azai and Biwa from Higashiazai District merged with the city to create the current city of Nagahama.

Former city of Nagahama

This section talks about the city of Nagahama as it existed until February 12, 2006.

Municipal Timeline

On April 1, 1943, the town of Nagahama from Sakata District merged with other 6 towns to gain city status. The current Nagahama City Hall was used as their city hall.

Population Count (final)

The last population count was held on December 1, 2005 and the city had the population of 63,057. The total area was 45.50km². As a result of the city's annexation of Azai and Biwa in 2006, the total population stands at 84,410 as of 2006.

Sightseeing

Attractions to be found in the city include:

★ Nagahama Castle

★ Kurokabe Square (aka "Black Wall Square")

★ The Old Nagahama Station Museum, built in 1882 and the oldest preserved railroad station in Japan.

★ The Nagahama Roman Beer Brewery.

★ Nagahama Flintlock Gun Museum

★ Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine

★ Shanain Temple

★ Sojiji Temple

★ Jinshoji Temple

★ Chizen-in Temple

★ Hokoku Shrine

★ Tonda Traditional Bunraku Puppet Troupe

Sister cities

※The following cities were once sister cities of the former city of Nagahama.

Within Japan

★ Nishinoomote, Kagoshima

★ There is also a Nagahama region of Fukuoka city.

Outside Japan

★ Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany

★ Verona, Veneto Verona, Italy

External links

★ Official website in Japanese