Hannan, Osaka

Hannan 阪南市
City
Flag of Hannan Flag
Location of Hannan in Osaka Prefecture Location of Hannan in Osaka Prefecture
Hannan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Osaka Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Toshihiro Fukuyama
Area
• Total	36.10 km2 (13.94 sq mi)
Population (1 May 2010)
• Total	56,445
• Density	1,560/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Pine
- Flower	Satsuki azalea
Phone number	072-471-5678
Address	35-1 Ozaki-chō, Hannan-shi, Ōsaka-fu 599-0201
Website	City of Hannan

Hannan (阪南市, Hannan-shi) is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Hannan is bordered by Sennan City to the northeast and Misaki-chō to the west. It is the location of Pichi-pichi beach, a locally famous public park and beach. It is the southernmost city in Osaka Prefecture, being closer in distance to Wakayama City than to Osaka city proper. The city was founded on 1 October 1991, making it the newest established city in Osaka Prefecture as of 2010.

As of 1 May 2010, the city has an estimated population of 56,445 and a population density of 1,560 persons per km². The total area is 36.10 km².

The principal industries in Hannan are commercial fishing, agriculture and sake production.

The city's mayor is Toshihiro Fukuyama, who has served since 12 November 2008.

Etymology

The city's name was derived from the onyomi reading of the kanji 阪 (han), standing for Osaka prefecture (大阪府), and the kanji 南 (nan), meaning south. Thus it means "Southern Osaka".

History

Although the city was founded in 1991, the villages and wards that make up the city have existed since the Nara period (5th to 7th centuries CE). Stone tools found in the area indicate human settlement as far back as 10000 BCE. Along with other cities south of the Yamatogawa river, the city previously belonged to the pre-modern Izumi province, running from the Nara to Edo periods.

Culture

Hannan city belongs to the unique Senshu area with its own dialect and customs. The Senshu dialect is spoken alongside standard Japanese. The city is known for its local brand of sake, Naniwa-masamune, of which there is a brewery in the Ozaki area. The city is also home to a type of wagashi made from steamed sweet adzuki beans known as Murasame.

Transportation

Trains

Hannan is served by both the national JR West Hanwa Line and the private Nankai Main Line.

Nankai Main Line stations:

• Ozaki
• Tottorinosho
• Hakotsukuri

JR Hanwa Line stations:

• Izumi-Tottori
• Yamanakadani

Buses

Hannan is also served by a local community bus running to and from the city hall along the main Route 26, and the Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu bus service. Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu:

• [1]: Ozaki Station - Nakamura - Izumi-Tottori - Ishida - Ozaki Station
• [A5]: Ozaki Station - Aeon Rinku Mall - Ozaki Station

Roads

The Japan National Route 26 runs through the city. The Hanwa Expressway passes the mountainous area inland, with an exit at the Hannan Interchange.

External links

• Hannan City official website (Japanese)