Kara

Kara (から市) is a city located in Kara Prefecture in the Izu Region of Nakama, approximately 54 km south of Nagawa. With a population of about 903,415, the city is part of the Nagawa-Kara-Fujiyoshi. It is the largest city of Kara Prefecture and gained the designated city status since 1992. metropolitan area along with Nagawa and Fujyoshi.

As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 903,415, with 412,371 households and a population density of 4,386 persons per km². The total area is 206 km2.

History
Kara already founded since Nakaharan period of Nakama. During Kyuishi Empire Three Shogunate Period, Kara become one of the important place for Yamanaka Shogunate. Yamanaka Shogunate central itself located in the present day Kyota, Kyuishi Prefecture.

Prior to Kara Prefecture formation in 1991, Kara become the major cities of Nagawa Prefecture aside with Nagawa and Nagisa. In the act of Kara Prefecture formation, Kara consindered as the capital of the prefecture but later it was given to its neighbor Futatsunihitotsu. The city itself gained the Designated city since 2001.

Air Raid
During World War II, Kara was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command because it served as an important city of Nakama. On May 27, 1945 at 1:06 PM (NNT), 132 Aircraft took off to bomb Kara. During the raid, 321 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Himeji, destroying 42.3% of the built up areas of the city.

Climate
Kara has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Summers are significantly wetter than winters.

Points of interest
Originally a castle town, Kara is home to the Kara Castle which is built during the Yamanaka Shogunate period of Nakama. Other point of intrest in this city are Minamipark one of largest urban park in Kara Prefecture, also a recently built Kara Shell Theme Park in the northeastern of city.

International relations
Kara is twinned or has sister city relationships with:

International

 * 🇯🇵 Himeji, Japan
 * 🇯🇵 Tottori, Japan
 * 🇰🇷 Daejon, South Korea
 * Ciasem, Karasem
 * 🇨🇳 Shux, People's Republic of China

Nakama

 * Chiba, Minami Prefecture
 * Mizu, Fujiyoshi Prefecture