Date, Fukushima

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Date 伊達町
Former municipality
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Fukushima Prefecture
Merged	January 1, 2006 (now part of Date)
Symbols
• Tree	apple trees
• Flower	peach blossoms
• Bird	the common cuckoo
Time zone	UTC+9 (JST)

Date Town Symbol

Date (伊達町 Date-machi) is one of five neighborhoods within the city of Date, Fukushima, along with the towns of Hobara, Yanagawa, Ryozen, and Tsukidate. Until the merger of all five towns in 2006, Date was a town located in Date District, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. It is 9.22km². As of 2003, the town had a population of 10,958 people.

Geography

Date is bordered by Koori Town to the North, Fukushima City to the South, Iizaka Onsen to the West, and Date City's town of Hobara to the East. The Abukuma River runs through the Eastern half of the town, parallel to National Route 4, which also runs through the town.

History

Before Date Town was established as such in 1960, the area consisted of the villages of Nagaoka and Fushiguro, both within the district of Date.

The symbol of the town was designed to resemble the katakana symbol for "da" (ダ), in reference to "Date" (ダテ). It was put into use on November 6th, 1966. In 1986, peach blossoms, apple trees, and the common cuckoo were designated as the town's official flower, tree, and bird, respectively.

As of 2019, a grape vineyard has been established and the municipal government is supporting the development of a wine made of grapes from Date Town's Hakozaki area of Fushiguro.

Education

• Seiko Gakuin High School
• Datehigashi Elementary School
• Fushiguro Kindergarten

Transportation

Railway

• JR East – Tōhoku Main Line
  • Date

Highway

• National Route 4

Local Attractions

Hakozaki Atago Shrine

Hakozaki Atago Shrine is known for the historic lion dance that is performed there every Spring. The dance has been designated as one of Fukushima's important intangible cultural assets. It is theorized that the tradition may have been begun by those working in the gold mines on Hakozaki's Mount Atago. However, there is a competing legend of a boy who created the dance in order to prevent wild animals from ruining the local crops. The story of this boy and the old man who told him to go on the journey that would lead him to discover the lion dance is portrayed in the dance itself. Three men adorned with lion heads dance behind a character representing the boy and another representing the old man, accompanied by flutists.

Nagaoka Tenno Festival

The Nagaoka Tenno Festival or Yomeiri Festival is held in Nagaoka, Date Town in Date City in July. It is regarded as one of Fukushima Prefecture's ten major festivals. Eight festival carts parade around the town until they meet up and initiate a flute and taiko drum battle.

Date Public Library

Date City's public library is located in Date Town's Fushiguro. The facility includes a public gym, the headquarters of Date TV, as well as the library itself.

Family Park Date

"Family Park Date" is a public indoor playground designed for guardians to bring young children to mingle with other children, play freely, or participate in group activities led by professional childcare staff. The interior play sets are designed to resemble castles.

Date Bridge

Date Bridge spans the Abukuma River and was once used by the trolley system that ran throughout the area. There is one bridge for the use of vehicles and a smaller one for pedestrians.

External links

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