Sayama, Saitama

Sayama (狭山市, Sayama-shi), formerly known as Irumagawa, is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Sayama translates as "sitting on a mountain”. The city was founded on July 1, 1954.

As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 157,453 and a population density of 3,210.71 persons per km². The total area is 49.04 km².

The current Mayor is Yukinari Nakagawa (仲川幸成), who was elected in 2003.

Geography

Sayama is bordered by the cities of Kawagoe, Tokorozawa, Iruma, Hannō, and Hidaka.

The Iruma River flows through the city.

Population history

Transportation

Ken-Ō Expressway, Route 16, Route 299 and Route 407 pass through Sayama. Train stations include Iriso Station, Inariyama-kōen Station, Sayamashi Station, and Shin-Sayama Station.

History and culture

Sayama is host to one of Japan's best known Tanabata (Star) festivals each August, the Irumagawa Tanabata Matsuri.

The city was the location of the Sayama Incident, a 1963 murder and trial which resulted in the false accusation and conviction of an innocent man, a member of the Burakumin minority group, of murder.