is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 97,454 in 41,522 households, and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Saku is located in east-central Nagano Prefecture in the Saku Basin of the upper reaches of the Shinano River. The city claims the distinction of containing the point furthest from the sea within Honshu island (actually this point lies within the former town of Usuda). Since the opening of Sakudaira Station on the Nagano Shinkansen, many people commute to Tokyo, which is one hour away.
Surrounding municipalities
Nagano Prefecture
Komoro, Chino, Tōmi
Minamisaku District: Sakuho
Kitasaku District: Karuizawa, Miyota, Tateshina
Gunma Prefecture
Kanra District: Shimonita, Nanmoku
Climate
The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Dwa). The average annual temperature in Saku is . The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around .
History
Saku is located in former Shinano Province, and by the Sengoku period it was home to the Ochiai clan, a samurai family that sided with Uesugi Kenshin during his conflict with Takeda Shingen in the 1550s. The Ochiai clan consequently fought for the Uesugi during the Siege of Katsurayama in March 1557; all Ochiai members who took part in the battle were killed in combat or committed suicide. During the Edo period the area of Saku developed as the castle town of Tatsuoka Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate and as a post town. Following the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Saku District, with the town of Asama, and the village of Higashi (from Kitasaku District) merging with the towns of Nozawa and Nakagomi (both from Minamisaku District) to create the city of Saku. On April 1, 2005 Saku absorbed the town of Usuda (from Minamisaku District), the town of Mochizuki, and the village of Asashina (both from Kitasaku District).
Former town of Asama area in Kitasaku District
c. 1875 The villages of Iwao, Ochiai, and Owada from Saku District merged to form the village of Naruse. May 1876 The villages of Akaiwa, Kamitsukabara, Shimotsukabara, Neneitsukabara, and Nakachi from Saku District merged to form the village of Tsukabara, and the village of Ichi from the same district merged with the village of Ichimurashinden to form the village of Ichida. c. 1879 Kitasaku District Government enforced. The villages of Iwamurada, Nagatoro, Sarukubo, Tsukabara, Nenei, Hiratsuka, Ichida, Naruse, Imai, Yokowa, Mikawada, Kamihirao, Shimohirao, and Yokone belongs to Kitasaku District. April 1, 1889 The city, town, and village status enforced. The town of Iwamurada in Kitasaku District absorbed the villages of Nagatoro and Sarukubo to gain town status. The village of Tsukabara, Nenei, Hiratsuka, and Ichida from Kitasaku District merged to form the village of Nakasato. The village of Naruse, Imai, Yokowa, and Mikawada from Kitasaku District merged to form the village of Takase. The village of Kamihirao, Shimohirao, and Yokone from Kitasaku District merged to form the village of Hirane. December 20, 1954 The town of Iwamurada and the villages of Nakasato, Takase, and Hirane merged to form the town of Asama in Kitasaku District.
Former village of Higashi area in Kitasaku District
August 1876 The village of Kosaka absorbed the village of Kosakashinden. 1879 Kitasaku District Government enforced. The villages of Kosaka, Arakoda, Yasuhara, and Shiga belongs to Kitasaku District. April 1, 1889 The city, town, and village status enforced. The village of Kosaka, Arakoda, and Yasuhara from Kitasaku District merged to form the village of Mitsui. The village of Shiga formed without merging. February 1, 1955 The village of Shiga and Mitsui merged to form the village of Higashi.