Aikawa, Kanagawa

Aikawa is located in the foothills of northern Kanagawa Prefecture. The Nakatsu River, a tributary of the Sagami River, flows through. A portion of the Tanzawa Mountains can be found in the western part of the town. Miyagase Dam, a major source of hydroelectric power, is situated on the Nakatsu River. The highest mountain in Aikawa is Mount Takatori.

During the Sengoku period, the Battle of Mimasetoge between the forces of Takeda Shingen and the later Hōjō clan occurred on what is now Aikawa Town. During the Edo period, the area was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate. After the Meiji Restoration, in the cadastral reorganization for 1889, Aikawa village was founded on April 4, 1889. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1940. On January 15, 1955, it merged with neighboring Takamine Village and on September 30, 1956, with neighboring Nakatsu Village. Industrial development began in 1966.

Aikawa has a mixed economy, supported by agriculture and light/precision industries. Makino Milling Machines has a factory in Aikawa, as does Asahi Glass Co., NHK Spring Company, Merck Pharmaceuticals and Mitsubishi Motors. The town also serves as a bedroom community for neighboring Sagamihara and Atsugi.

Aikawa is served by Japan National Route 412 highway, but has no rail connections.

• Takanori Gomi – martial artist
• Daisuke Watanabe – actor
• Hiroya – professional kick-boxer
• Murray Sayle – journalist

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• Official Website (in Japanese)