“Why lotus roots?” a visitor once asked about Kadoma. Kadoma is a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its blend of residential and industrial areas. Kadoma is a major manufacturing hub. Significant companies like Panasonic have a base here. But why lotus roots?
Kadoma was traditionally known as the “breadbasket” of Osaka. It was especially noted for its lotus roots cultivation. The city cultivates lotus flowers even today.
Let’s take a quick journey through Kadoma’s past. The area was once part of ancient Kawachi Province. During the Jōmon period, it was under Kawachi Bay. This bay was an inlet of Osaka Bay. Settlements arose on the shores during the Yayoi period. Emperors ordered the construction of embankments to control the Yodo River’s flooding.
In 1909, a railway connection to Osaka spurred industrialization. Matsushita Electric Industrial Company moved to Kadoma in 1933. They established factories producing electrical machinery and plastics.
Kadoma officially became a city on August 1, 1963. There were plans to merge Kadoma with Moriguchi. However, local residents rejected them in 2005.
Kadoma has a humid subtropical climate. The summers are warm. The winters are cool with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature is 15.6 °C. August sees the highest temperatures around 27.7 °C. January has the lowest at around 4.2 °C.
As of September 1, 2024, Kadoma had an estimated population of 116,511. The city covers 12.30 square kilometers. The population density is about 9,680 people per square kilometer.
Kadoma is a commuter town due to its proximity to Osaka. It has multiple transportation connections. Panasonic Corporation, Tiger Corporation, and Kaiyodo have headquarters here.
Kadoma is twinned with Eindhoven in the Netherlands since 1967. It is also partners with Kami in Japan since 1975 and São José dos Campos in Brazil since 1973.
Yuta Nakamoto is a K-Pop idol from Kadoma. He is a member of NCT and NCT 127. Ryo Nishikido is another notable person. He is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. Kijūrō Shidehara, a Japanese diplomat and prime minister, was also from Kadoma.
Kadoma continues to evolve balancing industry, community, and culture. The lotus flower remains a symbol of its rich agricultural past. Kadoma stands as a testament to Japan’s blend of tradition and progress.