kizu

Kizu is a city located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the Fukuchiyama Line of the West Japan Railway Company and is served by Kizugawa Station. The city, incorporated in 2006 from the merger of several towns in the Kizugawa District, covers an area of approximately 81 square kilometers and has an estimated population of around 38,000 residents.

The economy of Kizu traditionally revolves around agriculture, particularly paddy rice cultivation and horticulture, owing to its fertile river plains along the Kizugawa River. In recent decades, the city has diversified with small manufacturing and service industries, including textile production and retail businesses. Local agriculture is supported by the Kizugawa irrigation system, which dates back to the Edo period.

Kizu is home to several historical and cultural sites, such as the Kizugawa Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the river, and the ruins of Kizugawa Castle, which played a strategic role during the late Sengoku period. The city hosts an annual Kizu Festival featuring traditional music, dance, and food stalls that attract visitors from neighboring regions. The local education system includes multiple elementary and junior high schools, as well as one senior high school, which serves the educational needs of the community.

Because of its proximity to Kyoto City and Osaka, Kizu has become increasingly attractive for commuters. The commuter rail service, in combination with bus routes, provides frequent and reliable connections to the larger urban centers. This, together with the city's natural scenery and cultural heritage, makes Kizu a notable example of a small but dynamic Japanese municipality.