Kurume

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Core City in Kyushu, Japan

title: "Kurume" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["kurume", "cities-in-fukuoka-prefecture"] description: "Core City in Kyushu, Japan" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurume" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Core City in Kyushu, Japan ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameKurume
native_name久留米市
native_name_langja
settlement_typeCore city
image_skylineKurume montage.png
imagesize240px
image_captionFrom the upper left:

| | image_flag | Flag of Kurume, Fukuoka.svg | | image_seal | Emblem of Kurume, Fukuoka.svg | | seal_type | Emblem | | mapframe | yes | | mapframe-zoom | 10 | | mapframe-point | none | | map_caption | Location of Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture | | pushpin_map | Japan | | pushpin_map_caption | Location in Japan | | coordinates | | | coordinates_footnotes | tags -- | | subdivision_type | Country | | subdivision_name | Japan | | subdivision_type1 | Region | | subdivision_name1 | Kyushu | | subdivision_type2 | Prefecture | | subdivision_name2 | Fukuoka | | subdivision_type3 | District | | established_title | | | extinct_title | Now part of | | seat_type | | | government_footnotes | tags -- | | leader_title | Mayor | | leader_name | Shingo Haraguchi | | leader_title1 | Vice Mayor | | total_type | | | unit_pref | Metric | | area_magnitude | | | area_footnotes | tags -- | | area_total_km2 | 229.96 | | elevation_footnotes | tags -- | | population_footnotes | tags -- | | population_total | 295,367 | | population_as_of | February 1, 2024 | | population_density_km2 | auto | | timezone1 | JST | | utc_offset1 | +09:00 | | area_code_type | | | blank_name_sec1 | City hall address | | blank_info_sec1 | 15-3 Jonan, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka-ken 830-8520 | | blank_name_sec2 | Climate | | blank_info_sec2 | Cfa | | website | | | module | {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes | | tree | Cinnamomum camphora, Zelkova serrata, Rhus succedanea, Camellia, Round Leaf Holly | | flower | Azalea, Cosmos | ::

| name = Kurume | official_name = | native_name = 久留米市 | native_name_lang = ja | settlement_type = Core city | other_name = | image_skyline = Kurume montage.png | imagesize = 240px | image_caption = From the upper left:

Nishitetsu Kurume Station, city hall, Suitengu shrine, Kora-taisha shrine, Narita-san temple Ishibashi bunka center, JR Kurume Station | image_flag = Flag of Kurume, Fukuoka.svg | image_seal = Emblem of Kurume, Fukuoka.svg | seal_type = Emblem | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | mapframe-point = none | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture | pushpin_map = Japan | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = tags -- | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Japan | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Kyushu | subdivision_type2 = Prefecture | subdivision_name2 = Fukuoka | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | extinct_title = Now part of | extinct_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = tags -- | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Shingo Haraguchi | leader_title1 = Vice Mayor | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = Metric | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = tags -- | area_total_km2 = 229.96 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = tags -- | population_total = 295,367 | population_as_of = February 1, 2024 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | timezone1 = JST | utc_offset1 = +09:00 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | blank_name_sec1 = City hall address | blank_info_sec1 = 15-3 Jonan, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka-ken 830-8520 | blank_name_sec2 = Climate | blank_info_sec2 = Cfa | website = | footnotes = | module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes | tree = Cinnamomum camphora, Zelkova serrata, Rhus succedanea, Camellia, Round Leaf Holly | flower = Azalea, Cosmos | bird = | flowering_tree = | butterfly = | fish = | other_symbols =

Kurume is a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 295,367 in 137,140 households, and a population density of 1309 people per km². The total area of the city is 229.96 km2.

Geography

Kurume is located in the Chikugo Plain in southern Fukuoka Prefecture. The urban center is located approximately 40 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Fukuoka City, but due to the incorporation of surrounding municipalities in 2005, the city area has become approximately 32 kilometers east-west and approximately 16 kilometers north-south, making it a municipality with a long east-west direction. The Chikugo River flows from the northeast to the southwest of the city. The boundary is drawn almost along the river, and there are only a few parts of the city where the Chikugo River runs through the city. From the southern part of the city to the southeastern part is a mountain range called the Minou Mountain Range, which includes mountains such as Mt. Takatori, Mt. Hatsushin, and Mt. Mino.

Neighboring municipalities

Fukuoka Prefecture

Climate

Kurume has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa). The average annual temperature in Kurume is 16.8 C. The average annual rainfall is 1938.4 mm with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 28.2 C, and lowest in January, at around 5.6 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Kurume was 39.5 C on 13 August 2018; the coldest temperature ever recorded was -6.5 C on 25 January 2016. |width=auto |single line = Y |metric first = Y |location = Kurume (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present) |Jan record high C = 20.0 |Feb record high C = 23.0 |Mar record high C = 25.1 |Apr record high C = 30.7 |May record high C = 35.8 |Jun record high C = 37.5 |Jul record high C = 38.5 |Aug record high C = 39.5 |Sep record high C = 37.9 |Oct record high C = 33.7 |Nov record high C = 27.1 |Dec record high C = 23.9 |Jan record low C = -6.5 |Feb record low C = -6.1 |Mar record low C = -4.9 |Apr record low C = -0.3 |May record low C = 5.9 |Jun record low C = 10.8 |Jul record low C = 16.8 |Aug record low C = 17.9 |Sep record low C = 9.9 |Oct record low C = 3.7 |Nov record low C = -0.8 |Dec record low C = -3.9 |Jan high C = 10.1 |Feb high C = 11.8 |Mar high C = 15.4 |Apr high C = 21.0 |May high C = 25.9 |Jun high C = 28.2 |Jul high C = 31.8 |Aug high C = 33.1 |Sep high C = 29.3 |Oct high C = 24.2 |Nov high C = 18.1 |Dec high C = 12.3 |Jan mean C = 5.6 |Feb mean C = 6.9 |Mar mean C = 10.2 |Apr mean C = 15.2 |May mean C = 20.0 |Jun mean C = 23.5 |Jul mean C = 27.3 |Aug mean C = 28.2 |Sep mean C = 24.5 |Oct mean C = 19.1 |Nov mean C = 13.2 |Dec mean C = 7.7 |Jan low C = 1.7 |Feb low C = 2.5 |Mar low C = 5.5 |Apr low C = 10.1 |May low C = 15.1 |Jun low C = 19.8 |Jul low C = 24.0 |Aug low C = 24.6 |Sep low C = 20.9 |Oct low C = 14.8 |Nov low C = 8.9 |Dec low C = 3.6 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 56.0 |Feb precipitation mm = 80.2 |Mar precipitation mm = 122.5 |Apr precipitation mm = 156.0 |May precipitation mm = 177.7 |Jun precipitation mm = 339.2 |Jul precipitation mm = 376.3 |Aug precipitation mm = 227.7 |Sep precipitation mm = 165.4 |Oct precipitation mm = 89.1 |Nov precipitation mm = 89.3 |Dec precipitation mm = 59.0 |year precipitation mm = 1938.4 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 8.3 |Feb precipitation days = 9.0 |Mar precipitation days = 10.6 |Apr precipitation days = 9.9 |May precipitation days = 9.4 |Jun precipitation days = 13.2 |Jul precipitation days = 12.6 |Aug precipitation days = 10.7 |Sep precipitation days = 9.0 |Oct precipitation days = 6.2 |Nov precipitation days = 8.3 |Dec precipitation days = 7.8 |Jan sun = 125.6 |Feb sun = 138.6 |Mar sun = 170.0 |Apr sun = 186.6 |May sun = 191.9 |Jun sun = 125.3 |Jul sun = 173.6 |Aug sun = 204.6 |Sep sun = 178.4 |Oct sun = 185.2 |Nov sun = 147.9 |Dec sun = 131.3 |year sun = 1963.9 |source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency{{cite web | url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=82&block_no=0790&year=&month=&day=&view=h0 |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） | publisher = JMA | access-date = May 21, 2022}}{{cite web | url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=82&block_no=0790&year=&month=&day=&view=h0 |script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値） | publisher = JMA | access-date = May 21, 2022}}}}

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kurume in 2020 is 303,316 people. Kurume has been conducting censuses since 1960. | 1960 | 248997 | 1965 | 248963 | 1970 | 255203 | 1975 | 265132 | 1980 | 280291 | 1985 | 288574 | 1990 | 294665 | 1995 | 302741 | 2000 | 304884 | 2005 | 306434 | 2010 | 302323 | 2015 | 304552 | 2020 | 303316 |align = none | col=2 | footnote = Kurume population statistics

History

The area of Kurume was part of ancient Chikugo Province, and the location of its ancient provincial capital and the site of its kokubun-ji and ichinomiya. During the Edo Period the area was under the control of Kurume Domain, ruled for most of its history by the Arima clan, who developed the jōkamachi around Kurume Castle into a commercial center due to the clan's policy to promote industries. Bairin-ji, the clan’s family temple was also founded in the relative vicinity of the castle. After the Meiji restoration, the city of Kurume was established on May 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system.

During the First World War from 1915 to 1919, over 1,000 German and about 50 Austro-Hungarian soldiers (Prisoners of War) after surrendering at Tsingtao, were allocated to an internment camp in Kurume, which was the largest such camp in Japan. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Vie_au_camp_de_prisonniers_de_Kurume-_Acrivités_théätrales.jpg" caption="Theatre Activity in Camp Kurume"] ::

The cultural and other exchanges between the Western and Japanese soldiers, as well as local people made a long lasting impact on both the cultural and industrial development of the city. The prisoners’ work and skills contributed to the development of the local rubber industry which served as a basis for the now world-famous tyre manufacturer Bridgestone.

Kurume was a garrison town for the Imperial Japanese Army and from 1922, a center for the rubber and chemical industries. During World War II, on August 11, 1945, and just a few days after the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Kurume air raid (consisting of 53 B-24 bombers operating from US airfields in Okinawa and using M76 incendiary bombs) left 212 people dead and much of the urban center destroyed.

The city area continued to expand throughout the post-war period by annexing surrounding villages and towns. On April 1, 2001, Kurume was designated as a special city and on April 1, 2008, it became a core city. On February 5, 2005, the town of Kitano (from Mii District), the towns of Jōjima and Mizuma (both from Mizuma District), and the town of Tanushimaru (from Ukiha District) were merged into Kurume.

Government

Kurume has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 36 members. Kurume, together with the city of Ukiha contributes five members to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukuoka 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Kurume is a regional commercial center. In terms of industry, the city is the birthplace of Bridgestone and is an important production base as the group's original plant remains located here. There are also many factories of various manufacturers of rubber processed products. In recent years, the light vehicle engine factory of Daihatsu Kyushu, a subsidiary of Daihatsu Motor Corporation, and the press parts manufacturing factory of Topre Kyushu, a subsidiary of Topre, have expanded into the area, playing a role in the consolidation of the automobile industry in northern Kyushu.

Traditional products

Traditional products of Kurume are *kasuri *, or woven indigo-dyed cloth; tonkotsu ramen (pork-bone broth noodles); and trays and bowls made from , a composite made from lacquered bamboo.

Education

Universities

Primary and secondary education

Kurume has 45 public elementary schools and 17 public junior high schools and two high school operated by the city government and six public high schools operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private combined elementary/junior high school and four private high schools. The city operates one and the prefecture operates two schools for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railways

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/NNR_logo.svg" caption="25x25px]] [[Nishitetsu Tenjin Ōmuta Line"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/NNR_logo.svg" caption="25x25px]] [[Nishitetsu Amagi Line"] ::

Highways

Air transport

The city does not have its own airport. The nearest airports are:

  • Saga Airport provides direct routes to Tokyo and some international destinations to China, Taiwan, and South Korea. It is located 33 km south west.
  • Fukuoka Airport provides most domestic and international flights. It is located 42 km north west.

Sister cities

Kurume is twinned with the following cities.

Local attractions

National Historic Sites

Notable people born or raised in Kurume

In chronological order of birth year:

References

References

  1. "Kurume City official statistics".
  2. [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/fukuoka/ Kurume population statistics]
  3. Adsushi Odsuru. "Prisoners of War (Japan)".
  4. "Kurume History Walks: No.41 War Remains 3 – Air Raids".
  5. link. Kurume city
  6. link. Kurume city
  7. link. Kurume city
  8. Kim, Hyung-chan. (1999). {{Google books. prhRl6DYXRMC. ''Distinguished Asian Americans: A Biographical Dictionary'', pp. 316-317.
  9. Hata, Don and Nadine. "George Shima: The Potato King of California". [[Journal of the West]].
  10. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150209063229/http://www.ishibashi-foundation.or.jp/english/founder About the Founder. ISHIBASHI FOUNDATION]
  11. link
  12. link. (2011-03-06)
  13. link
  14. link. HMV Japan
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  16. Group Future: ''ZARD & Sakai Izumi Profiling'' (Profiling ZARD and Izumi Sakai). Art Book Hon no Mori, 2000. {{ISBN. 4-87693-550-5 (ISBN ), {{ISBN. 978-4-87693-550-5 (ISBN ) {{in lang. ja
  17. link
  18. [[Leo Ieiri]]

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kurumecities-in-fukuoka-prefecture