Ayase, Residential city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Ayase is a residential city in north-central Kanagawa Prefecture, spreading across a compact area with small roads and housing districts. The Naval Air Facility Atsugi occupies over 18 percent of the total city area, shaping the spatial distribution of settlement zones.
The village of Ayase formed in 1889 through the merger of eight hamlets and gained town status in 1945. Elevation to city status followed in 1978 as growth and regional development warranted the change.
The Gosha Shrine houses a large beech tree whose shape resembles the cosmos, officially recognized as a municipal cultural asset. Visitors can view the tree within the shrine grounds, where it has been regarded as a special natural monument for generations.
The city lies in the northern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and can be reached by regional rail connections that link travelers to larger centers in the area. The military base restricts access to certain zones, so visitors should plan to explore public areas.
The city leads Kanagawa Prefecture in meat processing and produces specialties such as Kouza Pork. This product has been included in the list of the prefecture's top one hundred regional products.
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