Urayasu, Japan

Urayasu is a city located in western Chiba, Japan, on the border with Tokyo. It is best known as the home of the Tokyo Disney Resort.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 159,312 and the density of 9,210 persons per km². The total area is 17.29 km². The city was founded on April 1, 1981. There are two parts to the city: the original fishing village, and the newer landfill portion that adjoins Tokyo Disneyland. The new land fill part is called "Shin-Urayasu" (New-Urayasu). The newer section is very "American" in its design and layout. A grid-like map of wide streets, large sidewalks, palm trees and parks. The buildings are very "Japanese," however. There are tall, modern apartments with views of Tokyo Bay. Urayasu is one of the most sought after areas in the metropolitan area for young families to live. There is an outdoor museum that replicates a neighborhood of the original fishing village. Children can also take a boat ride in a wooden, flat bottom fishing boat used by the fishermen in Urayasu.