Funahashi (舟橋村, Funahashi-mura) is a village located in Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2024[update], the village had an estimated population of 3,304 in 1195 households[1] and a population density of 952 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,470/sq mi). The total area of the town was 3.47 square kilometres (1.34 sq mi), making it the smallest municipality in Japan in terms of area .[2]
The town has a Humid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) characterized by hot summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Funahashi is 13.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2306 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.6 °C.[3]
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Funahashi has more than doubled over the past 30 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
1,357
—
1980
1,360
+0.2%
1990
1,371
+0.8%
2000
2,153
+57.0%
2010
2,967
+37.8%
2020
3,132
+5.6%
History
[edit]Map of Nakaniikawa district in Meiji era, with Funahashi labelled no. 16
The area of present-day Funahashi was part of ancient Etchū Province. The modern village of Funahashi was created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Funahashi is the only village left in Toyama prefecture, after any other villages were merged with towns or cities.
Agriculture (rice, edamame, acorn squash) was traditionally the mainstay of the local economy; however, the village has increasingly become a bedroom community for nearby Toyama.