Hirakata City Web Site

Welcome to Hirakata

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Hirakata is bounded by the Yodo River to the west, and the verdant Ikoma Mountains to the east. The area has been populated since ancient times, and thrived as the hunting grounds of nobles and aristocrats during the Heian period and as a staging post along the main road from Osaka to Kyoto during the Edo period.

After World War II, there was a rapid increase in population due to large-scale residential housing projects in Hirakata. A city, which had been previously known as a suburban farming village, has been gradually transformed into a modern residential city. Again, in recent years, six universities have been established in Hirakata and the city aims to create a new image for the 21st century as a "university city".

Hirakata was chartered by the prefecture as its 12th city on August 1,1947.Hirakata's population of 40,000 at that time has since increased to 410,046,the fourth largest population in the prefecture (as of May,2008). The city stretches 12km in the east-west direction, 8.7km in the north-south direction,and has an area of 65.07km2. The central part of the city is traversed by Route 1, the Keihan railway line runs through the western part and the JR Gakken Toshi railway line through the east.

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CITY FLAG

(1967 enactment)

The city flag uses a base of cobalt blue to highlight the central motif,the white hiragana character　ひ (hi) from the word, Hirakata. The flag symbolizes the image of a bird flapping its wings in the sky.

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CITY EMBLEM

(1947 enactment)

Hirakata, a city that has prospered alongside the Yodo River, has a strong historical link with boats. The logo is a combination of the　"ヒ"　(pronounced "hi") and 　"ラ"　(pronounced "ra") katakana characters at the bottom, with the kanji character 　"方"　(pronounced "kata") in the center. This logo was created to symbolize the intimate connection of Hirakata with the 30-koku ship of the Yodo River.
(A "koku" is an ancient unit of measure used in Japan, 1 koku = 47.7 gallons)

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CITY TREE: The Willow

(1967 enactment)

Willow trees that line the banks of the Yodo River, whose development has brought prosperity to Hirakata, ideally symbolize and are historically connected to the city.

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CITY FLOWER: The Chrysanthemum

(1967 enactment)

Hirakata's earth is well suited for cultivating the chrysanthemum, which is intimately connected with Hirakata's traditional craft, the flower doll.

CITY FLOWER: The Cherry blossom

(2007 enactment)

Cherry blossoms in Makino were selected as the Eight Scenic Spots in Hirakata,and Katanogahara(near Hirakata)has been a major viewing spot of cherry blossoms since the Heian era(794-1185).To commemorate the 60th anniversary of municipality in 2007,the cherry blossom was added to the city flower,as it has deep historical connection with the city.

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Symbol and motto marking Hirakata's 50th anniversary

Hirakata celebrated its 50th anniversary as an established city in 1997. To commemorate this special event and welcome a new era, a suitable motto and symbol for Hirakata was decided on by the public.

The symbol centers on the H of Hirakata and uses the Yodo River, which flows, through Hirakata on its way from Kyoto to Osaka, to symbolize the city's history, while a bird spreading its wings gives the idea of the future. The color combines the blue of water with the green of nature.

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