Nishiōizumimachi

Nishiōizumimachi (西大泉町) is a small enclave district that belongs to Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, but is surrounded entirely by Saitama Prefecture.

Nishiōizumimachi 西大泉町
Enclave district
Nishiōizumimachi
Coordinates: 35°45′48″N 139°34′01″E
Country	Japan
Prefecture	Tokyo
City	Nerima
Population  (August 1, 2008)
• Total	13

Nishiōizumimachi is surrounded by Katayama 3-chōme, Niiza, Saitama, approximately 60 metres (200 ft) north of Nishi-Ōizumi 6-chome. On August 1, 2008, there were six households in this district and its population was 13 (6 male and 7 female). The area contains one small street running through the center. The entire area bears the number 1179 and individual houses are numbered 21, 23 and 25.

History

The exact date or reason for the exclave coming into existence is unknown, however it is theorised that it could be a remnant of a number of municipal mergers since the Meiji era. The exclave went unnoticed until a property developer wanted to turn the then farmland into housing discovered the anomaly in 1974. It is thought that the land may have been a field or falconry whenever the exclave was established.

Government

Administratively, Nishiōizumimachi is looked after by both Nerima and neighbouring Niiza. Water and sewage is handled by Niiza, whereas garbage disposal is handled by Nerima. Students in the exclave must also attend elementary and junior high school in Nerima. Residents have called Nishiōizumimachi's governance "inconvenient".