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Ōtsuki, Kōchi

2024-10-02T00:07:32Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Local attractions */

{{about|to the town in Kōchi Prefecture|the city in Yamanashi Prefecture|Ōtsuki, Yamanashi}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ōtsuki
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|大月町}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]
| other_name =
| image_skyline = Otsuki_Windmill_Skyline.JPG
| image_caption = A view of Otsuki's windmills from the top of Fureai Park
| image_flag = Flag of Otsuki, Kochi.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Otsuki, Kochi.svg
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=260|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=8}}
| image_map1 = Otsuki in Kochi Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_caption = Location of Ōtsuki in Kōchi Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|32|50|29|N|132|42|25|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Shikoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Hata District, Kōchi|Hata]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Junichi Okada
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_total_km2 = 102.94
| population_total = 4626
| population_as_of = September 1, 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 2230 Hiromi, Ōtsuki-chō, Hata-gun, Kōchi-ken 788-0302
| website = {{Official website|1=http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/}}
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = Ubamegashi (Quercus phillyraeoides)
| flower = Crinum (Crinum asiaticum)
| bird = Omizunagidori (Calonectris leucomelas)
| butterfly =
| fish =
}}
}}
[[file:Otsuki town hall.JPG|right|thumb|270px| Ōtsuki Town Hall]]
{{nihongo|'''Ōtsuki'''|大月町|Ōtsuki-chō}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] in the [[Hata District, Kōchi|Hata District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2022|07|31}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 4,626 in 2541 households, and a [[population density]] of 45 persons per km2.<ref name="Ōtsuki-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/index2.php|title= Ōtsuki town official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the town is {{convert|102.94|sqkm|sqmi}}.

==Geography==
Ōtsuki is located in far southwestern corner of Kōchi Prefecture on the island of [[Shikoku]]. It is located approximately 184 km away from downtown [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]].<ref>''大月町史編纂委員会'' (March 28, 1995), p.3</ref> Approximately 70% of the town area is heavily wooded mountain forests. Ōtsuki is bordered by [[Sukumo, Kōchi|Sukumo]] to the north and [[Tosashimizu, Kōchi|Tosashimizu]] to the east, and faces the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the south. The [[Bungo Channel]], which separates [[Kyushu]] and Shikoku, runs along the west of Ōtsuki, while the [[Kuroshio Current]] brushes up against its south shores.<ref name="about Otsuki" /> To its south, Ōtsuki has a small collection of islands, including Kashiwajima, Okinojima, and Ugurushima.<ref name="Islands">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/machi/001-02.html 自然と人のふれあい]</ref>

=== Neighbouring municipalities ===
Kōchi Prefecture
* [[Sukumo, Kōchi|Sukumo]]
* [[Tosashimizu, Kōchi|Tosashimizu]]

===Seismicity===
Ōtsuki, along with the coastline along Kochi prefecture, is close to the [[Nankai Trough]], and experiences seismic activity related to the [[Nankai megathrust earthquakes]]. These earthquakes typically result in landslides, flooding, and tsunamis, in addition to damage from seismic activity.<ref name="nankai">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/bousai/bousaimap.html 防災情報]</ref> These earthquakes occur approximately 100–200 years apart, with the most recent earthquake occurring in 1946.<ref name="nankai2">{{cite journal|last1=Cummins|first1=P.R.|last2=Hori|first2=T.|last3=Kaneda|first3=Y.|title=Splay fault and megathrust earthquake slip in the Nankai Trough|journal=Earth Planets Space|year=2001 |volume=53|issue=4 |pages=243–248|doi=10.1186/BF03352381 |doi-access=free |s2cid=56221703 |url=http://www.terrapub.co.jp/journals/EPS/pdf/2001/5304/53040243.pdf|accessdate=2014-09-30}}</ref>

===Climate===
Ōtsuki has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ōtsuki is 17.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2209 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in January, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 7.4 °C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/kochi-prefecture/ohtsuki-49286/ Ōtsuki climate data]</ref>

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-kochi.php Ōtsuki population statistics]</ref> the population of Ōtsuki has been decreased steadily since the 1960s.

The Ōtsuki Town Hall displays its demographics on its [http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/index.html homepage]. These statistics are updated bi-monthly. The population of Ōtsuki peaked at 13,688 in 1960, and has seen a steady yearly decline since.<ref name="Handbook2007" /> Ōtsuki has issues with [[rural flight]] and [[population decline]], much like other parts of rural Japan.<ref name="population2">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/jinkou/index.html 統計情報-人口推移]</ref><ref name="rural flight">[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2004/01/27/issues/rural-lifes-slow-death/#.VCjw-Wdv5PY Rural life’s slow death]</ref> As can be seen in the graph provided, the majority of residents in Ōtsuki were between 45 and 84 years of age in 2006. As of August 2014, Ōtsuki contains 2,785 households, with an overall estimated population of 5,719, and a gender ratio of 1.11 females to each male.<ref name="population2" />
[[File:Otsuki Gender Population 2006.PNG|thumb|A graph of Ōtsuki's gender distribution by age ''(Basic Resident Registration results from October 1, 2006)''.<ref name="Handbook2007">Ōtsuki — Clear Serenity: The 50th Anniversary of Ōtsuki, Ōtsuki Town Handbook 2007, February 2007, p. 30</ref>]]
{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 11,642
| 1930 | 11,733
| 1940 | 11,224
| 1950 | 14,884
| 1960 | 13,688
| 1970 | 9,341
| 1980 | 8,865
| 1990 | 7,941
| 2000 | 6,956
| 2010 | 5,783
| 2020 | 4,434
|align = none
| source = Ōtsuki population statistics (2000-2020)<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/kochi/ Ōtsuki population statistics]</ref>
}}

== History ==
Signs of human presence, including stone knives and tools, date back as far as the [[Japanese Paleolithic]],approximately 20,000 years ago. As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Ōtsuki was part of ancient [[Tosa Province]]. Granite blocks cut from stones in the {{nihongo|Kashira Tsudoi|頭集い}} area of town were shipped from Ōtsuki and used in the construction of {{nihongo|Osaka Castle|大阪城}} and {{nihongo|Nagoya Castle|名古屋城}}, in 1585 and 1610 respectively.<ref>{{cite book|title=大月町史|year=1995|publisher=大月町|pages=1372, 1373}}</ref> During the [[Edo period]], the area was part of the holdings of [[Tosa Domain]] ruled by the [[Yamauchi clan]] from their seat at [[Kōchi Castle]]. The village of Okuuchi (奥内村) was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on November 3, 1951, changing its name to Ōuchi (大内町). The town of Ōuchi and the village of Tsukinada (Tsukinada) merged on February 11, 1957 to form the town of Ōtsuki, which took its name from the first ''[[kanji]]'' of each of its component parts.

==Government==
Ōtsuki has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of ten members. Ōtsuki, together with Sukumo and Mihara, contributes two members to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Kōchi 2nd district of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
Ōtsuki has an economy based on developed agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, and the town has invested in renewable energy resources with 12 wind-powered generators installed on Mount Mukuri, with an additional bank of generators on Mount Ōhora scheduled for completion in 2015.<ref name="about Otsuki">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/machi/001-01.html 大月町の概要] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403202438/http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/machi/001-01.html |date=2012-04-03 }} (June 22, 2009)</ref>

==Education==
Ōtsuki formerly had nine elementary schools, which were consolidated into one school in 2009, and five middle schools, which were consolidated into one in 2001.<ref name="Education">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/kyouiku/gakkou01.html 学校教育]"</ref> Ōtsuki additionally had a campus of the Sukumo High School in town, however it closed as of April 2014.<ref name="High School">[http://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/soshiki/310000/files/2011022100317/2011022100317_www_pref_kochi_lg_jp_uploaded_attachment_57538.pdf 高知県県立高校通学支援奨学金貸与条例の一部を改正する条例議案に係る意見聴取に関する議案]</ref>

Ōtsuki has three nursery schools located in Hiromi, Kashiwajima, and Himenoi.
<ref name="Preschool">[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/kyouiku/jidou01.html 児童福祉]</ref>

==Transportation==
===Railway===
Ōtsuki does not have any passenger railway service. The nearest station is [[Sukumo Station]] in [[Sukumo, Kōchi|Sukumo]]

=== Highways ===
{{jct|country=JPN|Route|321}}, also known as {{nihongo|Sunny Road|サニーロード}} is the main road that connects Ōtsuki to Tosashimizu to the east and Sukumoto the north. Ōtsuki Fureai Park is the town's [[roadside station]]. In addition to public bathrooms and parking, and having a bus-stop out front, the station sells local wares and produce, and the restaurant on the second floor offers a wide variety of delicious foods using local ingredients. Developed right in Otsuki, the {{nihongo|Ichigōri|苺氷り}} available on the first floor is a must-try delicacy for any sweets lover.

==Local attractions==

;Kannon Rock
* A rock that stands 30 meters high above the deep blue ocean and resembles the image of the goddess [[Kannon]]. In 1638, during the revolt of Shimabara, it is said that a man named Amenomori Kudayu was sent to quell the uprest but was injured in battle and retreated with his men by ship. His condition deteriorated, and while there were no lighthouses at the time, it is said that the crew headed towards a light that was coming from Kashiwajima. When the ship approached Kannon Rock, Kudayu died from his wounds, and at that moment a beam of light radiated from Kannon Rock. Since then, the rock has been thought to be sacred.<ref>[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/kankou/midokoro_04.html Town of Ōtsuki — Kannon Rock] (June 17, 2009).</ref>

;Monkey Park
* The [http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/kankou/midokoro_06.html {{nihongo|Monkey Park|お猿公園}}], overlooking the beautiful Ōdō Kaigan, is open year-round. The monkeys are friendly, but care should always be taken when feeding them. Feed is available for \200, and the park is closed on Mondays. When Monday is a holiday, the park is instead closed on the next regular weekday.<ref>[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/kankou/midokoro_06.html 大月町公式ホームページ・お猿公園（大堂）] (August 7, 2013)</ref>

;Oman's Waterfall
* Along the same hiking trail that passes by ''Kannon Rock'' is a cliff called Oman Taki. Despite being called a waterfall, there is no running water; locals use the word "taki" (滝, literally "waterfall") to mean "cliff". There once was a beautiful blind woman named Oman who fell in love with a man whose job it was to protect the island (most likely a samurai of higher social class). Oman thought of this man's job as an important role and somewhat became obsessed with him, but when she realized this love could never be, she decided to throw herself from the edge of this cliff and plummeted to her death approximately 120 m to the ocean below. The exact date is unknown, but eventually the cliff came to be known as Oman's Waterfall in memory of this tragic story.<ref>[http://www.geocities.jp/yohchan116/now/html/kasiwazima.html 高知県大月町柏島・大堂海岸の紹介] (July 1, 2009).</ref><ref>"～ようこそ！黒潮踊る大月町～" 大月町役場産業振興課　－　観光情報の請求があって送信した原稿、（直）0880-73-1115.</ref>

;Tsukiyama Shrine
* Tsukiyama Shrine, which has a thousand years of history, is located on Mt. Moritsuki. It is believed to have been a shrine where [[Kūkai]] performed ascetic practices. As a former center of Shugendō training, it is visited by a great number of people from all over the country. The coastal area near a temple called "Ōtsukinada" used to be famous for pink corals, and it is believed to be the first place where corals were gathered for living. In recent years parties of pilgrims have been using well-paved roads. However, the local people founded a group called the Association for the Preservation of the Pilgrimage Route to restore such routes to their original state for the first time in 40 years. The routes run through mountains and seacoasts.<ref>"Otsuki — Clear Serenity: The 50th Anniversary of Ōtsuki" Ōtsuki Town Handbook 2007, February 2007, p. 15</ref>

===Beaches and diving===

;Hotel Bellreef Otsuki and Ecology Camp
* [http://www.bellreef.net {{nihongo|Hotel Bellreef Otsuki|ホテルベルリーフ大月}}] is an ocean-side hotel towards the south end of town. It contains a restaurant, space for large dinner parties, and a Japanese style bath.<ref>[http://www.bellreef.net ホテルベルリーフ大月 - Hotel Bellreef Otsuki] (August 7, 2013)</ref>
* [http://www.bellreef.net//ecocam/ {{nihongo|Ecology Camp|大月エコロジーキャンプ場}}] is located just below Hotel Bellreef. There are rental sites for tents as well as rental cottages, multiple cooking facilities, multiple restrooms, and some convenient vending machines. Sea Kayaks are available for rental and are the highlight of the Ecology Camp experience.<ref>[http://www.bellreef.net//ecocam/ 大月エコロジーキャンプ場 - Otsuki Ecology Camp] (August 7, 2013)</ref>

;Kashiwajima Island
[[File:Kashiwajima Island, Otsuki, Kochi Prefecture, as viewed from a nearby observation deck. August 2013.jpg|thumb|alt=A view of Kashiwajima Island from a nearby observation deck.|Kashiwajima Island]]
* Tourists come to {{nihongo|Kashiwajima Island|柏島}} to scuba dive. Around 1,000 different kinds of fish, both temperate and tropical, can be found in the waters around Kashiwajima. The island is even said to have one of the world's largest concentrations of reef-building corals. To date, 123 different types of coral have been confirmed within Ōtsuki.<ref>"Otsuki — Clear Serenity: The 50th Anniversary of Ōtsuki" Ōtsuki Town Handbook 2007, February 2007, p. 2</ref> Kashiwajima Island can be reached by car.

;Kashiwajima Shirahama Beach
* A small yet beautiful {{nihongo|white sand beach|白浜}} off the road just before Kashiwajima Island. People gather here to sunbathe, BBQ, and swim in the clear water. Thanks to its location, shielded from colder Pacific currents by both the mainland and Kashiwajima Island, the water remains substantially warmer than other beaches along the Pacific Ocean side.

;Ryugahama Campgrounds
[[File:Ryugahama Campgrounds (竜ヶ浜キャンプ場).JPG|thumb|Ryugahama Campgrounds (竜ヶ浜キャンプ場), as seen from the entrance.]]
* [http://ryugahama-camp.net {{nihongo|Ryugahama Campgrounds|竜ヶ浜キャンプ場}}] is a campgrounds near Kashiwajima Island. Although the coast is a stone beach unsuitable for sunbathing, the main attraction is snorkeling in the inlet. There are many types of coral and varieties of fish in very close proximity to the shore. In addition to rental campsites and camp gear, rental snorkeling equipment and other items are available for a reasonable price. The cooking facility has a brick pizza oven in addition to the standard cooking fire enclosures.<ref>[http://ryugahama-camp.net 竜ヶ浜キャンプ場 - Ryugahama Campgrounds] (August 7, 2013)</ref>

===Festivals===
One of the town's most unusual traditions, an event called the {{nihongo|Mizu Abise|水浴びせ}}, has its roots in the year 1662. A massive fire occurred in the fishing village of {{nihongo|Komame|古満目}}, and to prevent a similar catastrophe from reoccurring, a ritual to be carried out each new year was prescribed.<ref>{{cite book|title=大月町史|year=1995|publisher=大月町|pages=1376}}</ref> In the modern day, this ritual is carried out every year on January 2, and includes elders making offerings at several locations in the village while young men sit waiting outside wearing only simple yukatas. When the elders come out, they douse the young men with bucket after bucket of cold sea water, and the procession moves on to the next location of prayer. After 2 to 3 hours of enduring the cold and making prayers to ward off disaster, the event comes to a close as families prepare warm baths to reinvigorate the freezing participants.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.town.otsuki.kochi.jp/ Town of Ōtsuki]

{{Authority control}}
{{Kōchi Prefecture}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Otsuki, Kochi}}
[[Category:Towns in Kōchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]

Tōyō, Kōchi

2024-10-02T00:00:38Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Neighbouring municipalities */

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Tōyō
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|東洋町}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = Town
| other_name =
| image_skyline = Toyo town hall.JPG
| imagesize = 250
| image_caption = Toyo town hall
| image_flag = Flag of Toyo, Kochi.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Toyo, Kochi.svg
| seal_type = Chapter
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=265|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=10}}
| image_map1 = Toyo in Kochi Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_caption = Location of Tōyō in Kōchi Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|33|32|N|134|17|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Shikoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kōchi Prefecture| Kōchi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Aki District, Kōchi|Aki]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_total_km2 = 74.06
| population_total = 2,226
| population_as_of = February 28, 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 758-3 Ikumi, Tōyō-chō, Aki-gun, Kōchi-ken 781-7414
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.town.toyo.kochi.jp/}}
}}
[[file:Kochiken Toyocho ShirahamaKaisuiyokujo.JPG|right|270px|thumb|Shirahama Beach]]
[[file:甲浦 - panoramio (1).jpg|right|270px|thumb|Kannoura fishing port]]
[[file:東洋町野根 - panoramio.jpg|right|270px|thumb|Street in None]]
{{nihongo|'''Tōyō'''|東洋町|Tōyō-chō}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] located in [[Aki District, Kōchi|Aki District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2022|02|28}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 2,226 in 1363 households and a [[population density]] of 30 persons per km2.<ref name="Tōyō-hp">{{cite web |url=http://www.town.toyo.kochi.jp|title= Tōyō town official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the town is {{convert|74.06|sqkm|sqmi}}.

== Geography ==
Tōyō is located in northeastern tip of Kōchi Prefecture on the island of [[Shikoku]]. It is situated on a mountainous area of the [[ria]] coast of the [[Pacific Ocean]], with the main urban area being strip of hamlets along the coastal highway. Much of the town is within the borders of the [[Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park]].

=== Neighbouring municipalities ===
Kōchi Prefecture
*[[Kitagawa, Kōchi|Kitagawa]]
* [[Muroto, Kōchi|Muroto]]
Tokushima Prefecture
* [[Kaiyō, Tokushima| Kaiyō]]

===Climate===
Tōyō has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high, but there is a pronounced difference between the wetter summers and drier winters.

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-kochi.php Tōyō population statistics]</ref> the population of Tōyō has decreased rapidly since the 1960s.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 6263
| 1930 | 6757
| 1940 | 6827
| 1950 | 8521
| 1960 | 8102
| 1970 | 5812
| 1980 | 4943
| 1990 | 4413
| 2000 | 3744
| 2010 | 2947
| 2020 | 2194
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

== History ==
As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Tōyō was part of ancient [[Tosa Province]]. The name of [[Aki District, Kōchi|Aki District]] appears in [[Nara period]] . During the [[Edo period]], the area was part of the holdings of [[Tosa Domain]] ruled by the [[Yamauchi clan]] from their seat at [[Kōchi Castle]]. The villages of Kannoura (甲浦村) and None (野根村) were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. Kannoura was raised to town status on April 1, 1916, followed by None on February 11, 1938. The two towns merged on July 1, 1959 to form the town of Tōyō.

In 2007, Yasuoki Tashima, the former mayor of the town, brought national and worldwide attention when he applied to host Japan's high level [[nuclear waste]] repository in Tōyō without the knowledge or approval of the town assembly. The plan was met with resistance from the town council, the governors of both and Kōchi and Tokushima Prefecture, as well as outrage by local residents. He lost a subsequent election and resigned.<ref>[http://www.nuclearwastenews.com/ Nuclear Waste News - Information, Compliance, Enforcement, Political Developments, Litigation, Nuclear Waste Management Projects and More]</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUST9522220070423 Japan town dumps mayor - and nuclear waste site | U.S. | Reuters]</ref>

==Government==
Tōyō has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of nine members. Tōyō, together with the city of Muroto, contributes one member to the [[Kōchi Prefectural Assembly]]. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Kōchi 1st district of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
In addition to the [[commercial fishery]] industry, Tōyō's economy is centered on forestry and fruit tree cultivation. In the past, [[bonito]] fishing and [[whaling]] were important, but now the main fishing industry is coastal fishing. The upper reaches of the None River are rainy areas and are noted for wood production.

==Education==
Tōyō has two public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
The [[Asa Kaigan Railway]]'s [[Asatō Line]] passed through the town, but its [[terminal station|terminus]], [[Kannoura Station]] closed in 2020 when the line was converted from rail to [[Dual-mode vehicle]] operations.

=== Highways ===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|55}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|193}}

==Local attractions==
*[[Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Toyo, Kochi|Tōyō, Kōchi}}
*[http://www.town.toyo.kochi.jp/ Tōyō official website] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Kōchi Prefecture}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toyo, Kochi}}
[[Category:Towns in Kōchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]

{{Kochi-geo-stub}}

Kaminoseki

2024-10-01T21:44:06Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Neighbouring municipalities */

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kaminoseki
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|上関町}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]
| other_name =

| image_skyline = File:Kaminoseki_town_hall.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Kaminoseki town hall
| image_flag = Flag of Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi.svg
| seal_type = Emblem

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|plain=yes|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#5f5f5f|zoom=10}}
| image_map1 = Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|33|49|51|N|132|7|38|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūgoku region|Chūgoku]] [[San'yō region|San'yō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kumage District, Yamaguchi|Kumage]]

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Metric

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 34.69
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 2,340
| population_as_of = May 31, 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 503 Nagashima, Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi-ken 742-1402

| website = {{Official|1=https://www.town.kaminoseki.lg.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = ''[[Chamaecyparis obtusa]]''
| flower = [[Chrysanthemum]]
| bird =
| butterfly =
| fish = [[Pagrus major|Red seabream]]
}}
}}
[[file:View from the Kamisakari01.jpg|right|thumb|270px|View from the Kamisakari]]
[[file:四階楼 01.jpg|right|thumb|270px|''Shikairo'']]
{{nihongo|'''Kaminoseki'''|上関町|Kaminoseki-chō}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] located in [[Kumage District, Yamaguchi|Kumage District]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], [[Japan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=日本放送協会 |title=上関町長選告示新人２人の選挙戦に｜NHK 山口県のニュース |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/yamaguchi/20221020/4060015144.html |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=NHK NEWS WEB}}</ref>{{As of|2023|05|31}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 2340 in 6947 households and a [[population density]] of {{convert|67|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi|2}}.<ref name="Kaminoseki-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.town.kaminoseki.lg.jp/人口・世帯数.html|title= Kaminoseki town official statistics|date= 4 January 2023|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the town is {{convert|34.69|sqkm|sqmi|2|abbr=on}}.

== Geography ==
Kaminoseki is located in southeastern Yamaguchi Prefecture. The town area consists of the tip of the Murotsu Peninsula and islands such as Nagashima, Iwaishima, and Yashima, and the center of the town is the Murotsu district at the tip of the peninsula and the opposite shore of the Murotsu district, which is connected to the mainland by the Kaminoseki Ohashi Bridge. It is almost completely surrounded by the [[Seto Inland Sea]].

=== Islands ===
* [[Iwaishima]]
* Nagashima
* Yashima

=== Neighbouring municipalities ===
Yamaguchi Prefecture
* [[Hirao]]
* [[Yanai, Yamaguchi|Yanai]]

===Climate===
Kaminoseki has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') with very warm summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Kaminoseki is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1719 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in July, at around 26.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.6 °C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/yamaguchi/kaminoseki-716600/ Kaminoseki climate data]</ref>

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data, the population of Kaminoseki, the population has decreased to one-third in the last 40 years, and the population is rapidly aging.

{{Historical populations
| 1940 | 10542
| 1950 | 13220
| 1960 | 11196
| 1970 | 8308
| 1980 | 6773
| 1990 | 5516
| 2000 | 4307
| 2010 | 3332
| align = none
| footnote = Waki population statistics<ref name=zensus>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/Yamaguchi/ Tabuse population statistics]</ref>
}}

==History==
The area of Kaminoseki was part of an ancient [[Suō Province]]. From the [[Heian period]], it was the location of a maritime checkpoint to control trade and traffic in the Seto Inland Sea and until the end of the [[Muromachi period]] was called "Kamadoseki". Also during the Muromachi period, it was a noted base for [[Wokou]] pirates who raided the coasts of China and Korea. During the [[Edo Period]], the area was part of the holdings of [[Chōshū Domain]] and prospered as a port for the ''[[kitamaebune]]'' coastal trade. Following the [[Meiji restoration]], the village of Kaminoseki within [[Kumage District, Yamaguchi]] was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kaminoseki annexed the neighboring village of Murotsu and was elevated to town status on February 1, 1958.

==Government==
Kaminoseki has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of ten members. Kaminoseki, together with the towns of [[Tabuse, Yamaguchi|Tabuse]] and [[Hirao, Yamaguchi|Hirao]] contributes one member to the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the [[Yamaguchi 2nd district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
Tabuse has a rural economy based on agriculture and [[commercial fishing]].

==Education==
Kaminoseki has two public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

== Transportation ==
=== Railway ===
Kaminoseki does not have any passenger rail service. The nearest train station is [[Yanai Station]] on the [[JR West]] [[San'yō Main Line]], which is located about 20 kilometers from the town.

=== Highways ===
The town is not on any national highway or expressway. [[Japan National Route 188]] is 15 kilometers from the center of town.
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|188}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.d2.dion.ne.jp/~k_yakuba/|Kaminoseki official website}} (in Japanese)

{{Yamaguchi}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Yamaguchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]

{{Yamaguchi-geo-stub}}

Hasami, Nagasaki

2024-10-01T19:42:28Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Surrounding municipalities */

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Hasami
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|波佐見町}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]
| other_name =

| image_skyline = Nakaogo, Hasami 01.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Hasami Pottery Village panorama
| image_flag = Flag of Hasami, Nagasaki.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Hasami, Nagasaki.svg
| seal_type = Seal

| image_map= {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=10}}
| image_map1 = Hasami in Nagasaki Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Hasami in Nagasaki Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|33|8|17|N|129|53|44|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kyushu]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Higashisonogi District, Nagasaki|Higashisonogi]]

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Masata Ichinose
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Metric

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 56.00
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 14,124
| population_as_of = March 31, 2024
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 66 Shukugo, Hasami-cho, Higashisonogi-gun, Nagasaki-ken 859-3791

| website = {{Official|1=http://www.town.hasami.nagasaki.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = ''[[Ilex integra]]''
| flower = [[Azalea]]
| bird =
| butterfly =
| fish =
}}
}}
[[file:New Hasami Town Hall.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Hasami Town Hall]]
[[file:鬼木棚田展望所より - Panoramio 36855941.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Rice terraces in Hasami]]
{{nihongo|'''Hasami'''|波佐見町|Hasami-chō}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] located in [[Higashisonogi District, Nagasaki|Higashisonogi District]], [[Nagasaki Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of |2024|05|31}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 14,124 in 5499 households, and a [[population density]] of 200 people per km2.<ref name="Hasami-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.town.hasami.lg.jp/machi/index.htmll|title= Hasami Town official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the town is {{cvt|56.00|km2}}. It is known, along with neighboring Arita, Saga Prefecture for its [[Hasami ware|ceramics manufacturing]].

== Geography ==
Hasami is located within the central part of Nagasaki prefecture, which is about 20 kilometers from central [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]. The town stretches 10.5 km east-to-west, 7.0 km north-to-south. The eastern and northern parts of the town form the prefectural border with Saga prefecture. As it is a basin surrounded by mountains, it is relatively hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It is the only landlocked town in the prefecture.

=== Surrounding municipalities ===
Nagasaki Prefecture
* [[Kawatana, Nagasaki|Kawatana]]
* [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]
[[Saga Prefecture]]
* [[Arita, Saga|Arita]]
* [[Takeo, Saga|Takeo]]
* [[Ureshino, Saga|Ureshino]]

===Climate===
Hasami has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hasami is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1864 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.0 °C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/nagasaki-prefecture/hasami-986033/ Hasami climate: Average Temperature, weather by month]</ref>

===Demographics===
Per Japanese census data, the population of Hasami is as shown below:

{{Historical populations
| 1940 | 13669
| 1950 | 16000
| 1960 | 15254
| 1970 | 14,673
| 1980 | 15,498
| 1990 | 15,728
| 2000 | 15,462
| 2010 | 15,227
| 2020 | 14,291
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==History==
The area of Hasami was part of ancient [[Hizen Province]]. During the [[Edo Period]], the area was under the control of [[Ōmura Domain]]. After the [[Meiji restoration]], the villages of Kamihasami and Shimohasami were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kamihasami was raised to town status on November 3, 1934. Kamihasami and Shimohasami merged on June 1, 1956 to form the town of Hasami.

==Government==
Hasami has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of 14 members. Hasami, collectively with the town of Kawatana, contributes one member to the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the [[Nagasaki 3rd district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

== Economy ==
Hasami is best known for [[Hasami ware]], a type of Japanese porcelain dating back 400 years. The techniques were brought to the Hasami area by Korean ceramicist [[Yi Sam-pyeong]], also the creator of [[Arita ware]] from nearby Arita. Hasami ware is distinct from Arita ware, but is often confused as pieces were shipped out of Arita or the neighboring port of [[Imari, Saga|Imari]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hasami Porcelain - Nagasaki|url=https://en.japantravel.com/nagasaki/hasami-porcelain/24123|access-date=2022-01-27|website=JapanTravel|date=10 December 2015 |language=en}}</ref> Seventeen kilns and pottery houses are active in the village, with an additional five kilns around the neighboring Mt. Nakao.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nakaoyama Pottery Village|url=https://www.ana.co.jp/en/in/japan-travel-planner/nagasaki/0000022.html|access-date=27 January 2022|website=Japan Travel Planner}}</ref> The town hosts both the Hasami Spring Festival, and the Autumn Ceramics Festival in October.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hasami Spring Pottery Festival|url=https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/en/sightseeing/32|access-date=2022-01-27|website=【公式】長崎観光/旅行ポータルサイトながさき旅ネット|language=en}}</ref>

==Education==
Hasami has three public elementary schools and one public junior high school by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Nagasaki Prefectural Board of Education.

==Transportation==
===Railways===
Hasami does not have any passenger rail service. The closest stations are [[Arita Station]] in the city of [[Arita, Saga]] and [[Kawatana Station]] in the town of [[Kawatana, Nagasaki]].

=== Highways ===
* [[File:JP Expressway E35.svg|25px|link=|alt=]] [[Nishi-Kyushu Expressway]] (Hasami-Arita IC)

== Sister cities ==
Hasami has one sister city and one friendship city relationship:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pref.nagasaki.jp/bunrui/kanko-kyoiku-bunka/kokusaikoryu-passport/sistercities/sistercity/|script-title=ja:県内姉妹・友好都市一覧|last=|first=|date=May 2021|website=Official Nagasaki prefectural website|language=Japanese|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Brazil}} [[Mauá]], [[Brazil]] (since 2 April 1988)

=== Friendship cities ===
* {{Flagicon|South Korea}}[[Gangjin County]], [[South Korea]] (since 20 October 2010)

==Local attractions==
*[[Hasami ware#Hizen Hasami Pottery Kiln Sites|Hizen Hasami Pottery Kiln Sites]], National Historic Site

==Notable people from Hasami==
*[[Hiroaki Iwanaga]], actor

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://www.town.hasami.lg.jp/ Hasami official website] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Nagasaki}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Nagasaki Prefecture]]

{{Nagasaki-geo-stub}}

Ikoma, Nara

2024-10-01T18:06:45Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Notable locations */

{{more citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ikoma
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|生駒市}}}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| other_name =

| image_skyline = Ikoma_montage.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Ikoma City
| image_flag = Flag of Ikoma, Nara.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Ikoma, Nara.svg
| seal_type = Emblem

| image_map = Ikoma in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Ikoma in [[Nara Prefecture]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|34|42|N|135|42|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kansai region|Kansai]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nara Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 =

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Masashi Komurasaki
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Metric

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 53.18
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 120,741
| population_as_of = April 1, 2017
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 8-38 Higashi-shinmachi, Ikoma-shi, Nara-ken 630-0288

| website = {{URL|http://www.city.ikoma.lg.jp/en/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = Quercus gilva
| flower = [[Chrysanthemum]]
| bird =
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''Ikoma'''|生駒市|Ikoma-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] in the northwestern end of [[Nara Prefecture]] in the [[Kansai region]] of [[Japan]]. It was founded on November 1, 1971. As of September 1, 2023, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 117,259, with 51,478 [[household]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official website of Ikoma city |url=http://www.city.ikoma.lg.jp/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205003010/http://www.city.ikoma.lg.jp/en/ |archive-date=5 February 2007 |access-date=24 September 2023 |publisher=Ikoma City |language=ja |location=Japan}}</ref> It has a [[population density]] of 2,300 persons per km², and it has the third largest population in the prefecture. The total area is 53.18 km². The city is known as one of the most affluent suburbs of the [[Keihanshin|Greater Osaka Metropolitan Area (Keihanshin)]], with a high rate of college graduates,<ref>{{Cite book |last=にゃんこそば |title=ビジュアルでわかる日本 |date=2023-12-09 |publisher=SBクリエイティブ |isbn=978-4815615208 |edition=1st |location=Japan |pages=Chapter 2–4 |language=Japanese |trans-title=Looking at Japan Visually}}</ref> professionals, and company directors amongst its residents. As a result, the city has developed as a [[satellite city]] of [[Osaka]], with some 54% of its residents commuting across prefectural borders to Osaka. [[Kansai Science City]] is partially located in Ikoma, which is also home to the [[Nara Institute of Science and Technology]]. The city is also famous for [[Japanese tea ceremony#Equipment|chasen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Takayama Tea Whisks |url=http://www.kansai.meti.go.jp/3-5sangyo/densan_page/04takayama-teawisks.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205060051/http://www.kansai.meti.go.jp/3-5sangyo/densan_page/04takayama-teawisks.pdf |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=February 18, 2015 |work=[[Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry|METI KANSAI]]}}</ref>

==Notable locations==
*Kuragari-toge Pass
*Kurondo-ike Pond
*[[Mount Ikoma]]
*Skyland Ikoma (amusement park on top of Mount Ikoma)

===Religious institutions===
*[[Chikurin-ji]]
*Chofuku-ji
*Chokyu-ji
*[[Enpuku-ji (Nara)|Enpuku-ji]]
*[[Ikoma Jinja]]
*[[Hozan-ji]]
*Sekibutsu-Ji

== History ==
The city area is described in the [[Nihon Shoki|Nihon shoki]], the second-oldest Chronicles of Japan, and had been a small village outside [[Heijō-kyō|Heijo-kyo]], one of the former capitals of Japan.

From [[Muromachi period]], chasen production began in Takayama region, the northern part of the city. Chasen is a tool used to make Japanese tea in the tea ceremony.

In [[Edo period|Edo Period]], [[Hōzan-ji|Hozan-ji]] temple was built on the mountainside in the and the nearby area came to grow as gateway town for the temple. [[Imperial House of Japan|Imperial House]] and [[Tokugawa shoguns]] visited there for worship.

After the difficult construction of Ikoma-tunnel, which penetrates Mount Ikoma, [[Kintetsu Nara Line|railway]] to Osaka and Nara service begun operating. [[Ikoma Cable Line]] from [[Toriimae Station]], near the Ikoma Station, to [[Hōzanji Station|Hozanji Station]] and [[Ikoma-Sanjō Station|Ikoma-sanjyō Station]] opened for business. Also [[Ikoma Line|the train]] bound for foot of [[Mount Shigi]] and [[Ōji Station (Nara)|Oji station]] from Ikoma station. Thereafter around Hozan-ji and the midtown, which nearby the station have expanded.

After municipal incorporation of two towns to Ikoma-town, the town was elevated to city status on 1 November 1971.

Takayama region, located in northern area, began to develop as one part of [[Kansai Science City]], then [[Nara Institute of Science and Technology]] and many private research and development facilities are built.

[[Keihanna Line|Higashi Osaka line]] connecting to [[Osaka Metro Chūō Line]] has been extended to Ikoma Station, thereby providing two routes into Osaka City.

The northern area has been developing into residential district, as a high-end residential area, and In 2006 Higashi Osaka Line was extended to this area and renamed the [[Keihanna Line]].

This city is faced with a declining birthrate and aging population, like most municipalities in Japan and with tendency to return to the big city center like Osaka city, yet it is developing as an environmentally advanced city, as superior residential city.

==Transportation==

===Rail===
*[[Kintetsu Railway]]
**[[Nara Line (Kintetsu)|Nara Line]]: [[Ikoma Station]] - [[Higashi-Ikoma Station]]
**[[Ikoma Line]]: Ikoma Station - [[Nabata Station]] - [[Ichibu Station (Nara)|Ichibu Station]] - [[Minami-Ikoma Station]] - [[Haginodai Station]] - [[Higashiyama Station (Nara)|Higashiyama Station]]
**[[Keihanna Line]]: Ikoma Station - [[Shiraniwadai Station]] - [[Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station]] - [[Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka Station]]
**[[Ikoma Cable Line]]: [[Toriimae Station]] (Ikoma Station) - [[Hōzanji Station]] - [[Umeyashiki Station (Nara)|Umeyashiki Station]] - [[Kasumigaoka Station (Nara)|Kasumigaoka Station]] - [[Ikoma-Sanjō Station]]

===Roads===
*[[Expressways of Japan|Expressways]]
**[[Hanshin Expressway]] Dainihanna Route
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0163.svg|20px]][[Japan National Route 163]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0168.svg|20px]][[Japan National Route 168]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0308.svg|20px]][[Japan National Route 308]]
*Shigi Ikoma Skyline [http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/leisure/skyline/]

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
Image:IMG 0001Ikoma Station.JPG|Kintetsu Ikoma Station
Image:IMG 0024 Fure Center Ikoma.JPG|Cherry blossoms at Ikoma Fureai Center
File:View of Ikoma.jpg|Exiting the train station in Ikoma
Image:IMG 0003 Autumn Ikoma.JPG|Mt. Ikoma eastward
File:Take no kanboshi 2015.jpg|"Take no Kanboshi" is solar desiccation of bamboo for making "[[Japanese tea ceremony#Equipment|chasen]]" (tea whisks).
File:Habataki Ikoma building.jpg|Habataki Ikoma building
</gallery>

==Notable people from Ikoma==
*[[Naruki Doi]], professional wrestler
*[[Kyogo Furuhashi]], footballer
*[[Nao Matsushita]], singer and actress
*[[Tomihiko Morimi]], novelist
*[[Tetsu Miyagawa]], baseball player
*[[Shiho Niiyama]], voice actress
*[[Tsutomu Nishino]], footballer
*[[Risa Nishioka]], basketball player
*[[Kenji Sato (basketball)|Kenji Satō]], basketball player and coach
*[[Takumi Shimada]], footballer
*[[Kana Ueda]], voice actress

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.city.ikoma.lg.jp/ Ikoma City official website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.toruku.jp/polepole/en/ NPO of Ikoma] support intellectual disabilities and their families official website {{in lang|en}}

{{Nara Prefecture}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nara Prefecture]]

Anpachi, Gifu

2024-10-01T15:52:52Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Neighbouring municipalities */

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Anpachi
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|安八町}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]

| image_skyline = Anpachi Town Hall2005.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Anpachi Town Hall
| image_flag = Flag of Anpachi, Gifu.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Emblem of Anpachi, Gifu.svg
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| image_blank_emblem =
| nickname =
| motto =

| image_map = Ampachi in Gifu Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Anpachi in Gifu Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =  
| coordinates = {{coord|35|20|7.2|N|136|39|55.4|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Anpachi District, Gifu|Anpachi]]

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = 

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = 

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 18.19
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 15072
| population_as_of = December 1, 2018
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = 
| population_note =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = City symbols
| blank_info_sec1 =  
| blank1_name_sec1 = - Tree
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Mignonette (Reseda)|Mignonette]]<ref name=townprofile>{{cite web|title=A brief town profile |url=http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/english/englishinformation.htm |work=Anpachi official website |accessdate=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927090517/http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/english/englishinformation.htm |archivedate=September 27, 2011 }}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec1 = - Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Narcissus (plant)|Narcissus]]<ref name=townprofile />
| blank3_name_sec1 = - Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =

| blank_name_sec2 = Phone number
| blank_info_sec2 = 0584-64-3111
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = Kōritori 161, Anpachi-chō, Anpachi-gun, Gifu-ken 503-0198

| website = {{official|1=http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/}}
| footnotes =
}}
{{Nihongo| '''Anpachi'''|安八町|Anpachi-chō}} is a [[List of towns of Japan|town]] located in [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2018|12|01}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 15,072 in 5,291 households,<ref>[http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp Ampachi town official statistics]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 830 persons per km2. The total area of the town was {{convert|18.16|sqkm|sqmi}}.

==Geography==
Anpachi is located in the northwestern portion of the [[Nōbi Plain]] in southwestern Gifu Prefecture. The [[Ibi River]] and the [[Nagara River]] flow through the town. The town is located in marshy flatlands and was often subject to flooding. The oldest portions of the town are protected by ancient embankments. The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''). The average annual temperature in Anpachi is 15.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1877 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.1 °C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/769539/ Anpachi climate data]</ref>

===Neighbouring municipalities===
*Gifu Prefecture
**[[Hashima, Gifu|Hashima]]
**[[Mizuho, Gifu|Mizuho]]
**[[Ōgaki, Gifu|Ōgaki]]

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-gifu.php Anpachi population statistics]</ref> the population of Ampachi has remained relatively steady over the past 50 years.
{{Historical populations
| 1970 | 12,354
| 1980 | 13,901
| 1990 | 15,085
| 2000 | 15,078
| 2010 | 15,271
| 2020 | 14,355
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==History==
The area around Anpachi was part of traditional [[Mino Province]], and the name of "Anpachi" appears in [[Nara period]] records, including the ''[[Nihon Shoki]].'' During the [[Edo period]], it was mostly controlled by [[Ōgaki Domain]]. During the post-[[Meiji restoration]] cadastral reforms, the area was organised into [[Anpachi District, Gifu]]. In 1955, the three villages of '''Musubu''', '''Namori''' and '''Maki''' merged to form the village of Apache. On April 1, 1960 Anpachi gained town status.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:都市計画マスタープラン |url=http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/masterplan/masterplan.pdf |work=Anpachi official website |accessdate=August 28, 2011 |language=Japanese |page=2 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809054351/http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/masterplan/masterplan.pdf |archivedate=August 9, 2011 }}</ref>

==Economy==
The mainstay of the local economy is agriculture (rice, vegetables, dairy, poultry), and light industry (computer related products, dairy products, chemicals).

==Education==
Anpachi has three public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
*The town has no passenger railway service.

===Highway===
* [[File:JP Expressway E1.svg|20px|link=|alt=]] [[Meishin Expressway]]
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|21}}

==Local attractions==
*The [[Solar Ark]], an over 300m long [[photovoltaic]] power generation facility is located in the town.<ref name=annai>{{cite web|script-title=ja:見どころ＞お立ち寄りスポット|url=http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/otatiyori.html|work=Anpachi official website|accessdate=August 28, 2011|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927090522/http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/otatiyori.html|archive-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sister city relations==
;Domestic
*{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fukui, Fukui]], Japan, friendship city

;International
*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Crowsnest Pass, Alberta]], [[Canada]], friendship city<ref name=International>{{cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=02&n=Gifu%20Prefecture|title=International Exchange|work=List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures|publisher=Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)|language=English|accessdate=21 November 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Notable people from Anpachi==
*[[Arashiyama Jirō]] – silver medalist in [[Judo]] during [[2004 Summer Olympics]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{commons category-inline }}
*{{official|1= http://www.town.anpachi.gifu.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Gifu}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Anpachi, Gifu| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Gifu Prefecture]]

Kaminokawa, Tochigi

2024-10-01T14:46:00Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Surrounding municipalities */

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Kaminokawa
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|上三川町}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]

| image_skyline = Kaminokawa town-office.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Kaminokawa Town Office
| image_flag = Flag of Kaminokawa, Tochigi.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Emblem of Kaminokawa, Tochigi.svg
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| image_blank_emblem =
| nickname =
| motto =

| image_map = Kaminokawa in Tochigi Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Kaminokawa in [[Tochigi Prefecture]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =  
| coordinates = {{coord|36|26|21.5|N|139|54|35.5|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kawachi District, Tochigi|Kawachi]]

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = 

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = 

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 54.39
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 31243
| population_as_of = August 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = 
| population_note =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = City Symbols
| blank1_name_sec1 = - Tree
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Ginkgo biloba]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = - Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Calabash]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = - Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Egret]]
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =

| blank_name_sec2 = Phone number
| blank_info_sec2 = 0285-56-9111
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = Shirasagi 1-1, Kaminokawa-machi, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi-ken 329-0696

| website = {{Official website|1=http://www.town.kaminokawa.tochigi.jp/}}
| footnotes =
}}
[[File:稲刈後の田んぼ 2011年11月 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Harvested rice fields in Kaminokawa]]
{{Nihongo|'''Kaminokawa'''|上三川町|Kaminokawa-machi}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] located in [[Tochigi Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|08|01}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 31,243 in 12,061 households,<ref name="Kaminokawa-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.town.kaminokawa.lg.jp |title= Kaminokawa Town official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 570 persons per km². The total area of the town is {{convert|54.39|sqkm|sqmi}}.

==Geography==
Kaminokawa is located in the southeastern [[Tochigi Prefecture]], approximately 90 kilometers north of [[Tokyo metropolis]]. The town area consists of flat areas and rivers, with no mountains and is a northern extension of the [[Kanto plain]]. The town is bordered by the prefectural capital of [[Utsunomiya]] to the north. The [[Kinugawa River]] flows through the town.

==Surrounding municipalities==
[[Tochigi Prefecture]]
* [[Mooka, Tochigi|Mooka]]
* [[Shimotsuke, Tochigi|Shimotsuke]]
* [[Utsunomiya, Tochigi|Utsunomiya]]

==Climate==
Kaminokawa has a [[Humid continental climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kaminokawa is 13.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1378 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.4 °C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/tochigi/kaminokawa-54246/ Kaminokawa climate data]</ref>

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-tochigi.php Kaminokawa population statistics]</ref> the population of Kaminokawa has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 13,961
| 1930 | 15,037
| 1940 | 15,881
| 1950 | 19,824
| 1960 | 17,766
| 1970 | 18,003
| 1980 | 24,597
| 1990 | 27,300
| 2000 | 29,421
| 2010 | 31,617
| 2020 | 30,806
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==History==
The villages of Kaminokawa, Hongo and Tako were created within Haga District on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On December 26, 1891 Tako Village was renamed Meiji Village. Kaminokawa was elevated to town status on July 1, 1893. On April 29, 1955 Kaminokawa annexed Meiji and Hongo.

==Government==
Kaminokawa has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of 14 members. Kaminokawa, together with the city of Utsunomiya collectively contributes 13 members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of [[Tochigi 1st district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
The [[Nissan]] Tochigi plant is located within Kaminokawa and is a major local employer.

==Education==
Kaminokawa has seven public [[primary school]]s and three public [[middle school]]s operated by the town government. The town has one public [[high school]] operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
Kaminokawa does not have any passenger train services.

===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E4}} – Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa IC
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|4}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|352}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[https://www.town.kaminokawa.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tochigi}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Tochigi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Kaminokawa, Tochigi]]

Shioya, Tochigi

2024-10-01T14:41:47Z

2601:249:187F:A0D0:2829:5A54:3445:2A97: /* Local attractions */

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Shioya
| official_name =
| native_name ={{nobold|{{lang|ja|塩谷町}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Towns of Japan|Town]]

| image_skyline = Shioya Town Hall 1.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Shioya Town Hall
| image_flag = Flag of Shioya, Tochigi.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Emblem of Shioya, Tochigi.svg
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| image_blank_emblem =
| nickname =
| motto =

| image_map = Shioya in Tochigi Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Shioya in [[Tochigi Prefecture]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =  
| coordinates = {{coord|36|46|39.3|N|139|51|2|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 

| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tochigi Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Shioya District, Tochigi|Shioya]]

| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =

| seat_type = 
| seat =

| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = 

| total_type = 
| unit_pref = 

| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 176.06
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 10906
| population_as_of = August 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = 
| population_note =

| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =

| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = 
| area_code =

| blank_name_sec1 = Phone number
| blank_info_sec1 = 028-675-8100
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = Tamanyu 741, Shioya-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi-ken 329-2292

| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]

| website = {{Official website|1=http://www.town.shioya.tochigi.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Chamaecyparis obtusa|Hinoki]]
| flower = [[Lilium auratum|Mountain lily]]
| bird = [[Crested kingfisher]]
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Shioya'''|塩谷町|Shioya-machi}} is a [[List of towns in Japan|town]] located in [[Tochigi Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|08|01}}, the town had an estimated [[population]] of 10,906 in 4028 households,<ref name="Shioya-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.town.shioya.tochigi.jp |title= Shioya Town official statistics|location= Japan|language= Japanese|accessdate=}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 62 persons per km2. The total area of the town is {{convert|176.06|sqkm|sqmi}}.

==Geography==
Shioya is located in central [[Tochigi Prefecture]].

===Surrounding municipalities===
[[Tochigi Prefecture]]
* [[Nasushiobara, Tochigi|Nasushiobara]]
* [[Nikkō, Tochigi|Nikkō]]
* [[Sakura, Tochigi|Sakura]]
* [[Utsunomiya, Tochigi|Utsunomiya]]
* [[Yaita, Tochigi|Yaita]]

===Climate===
Shioya has a [[Humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Shioya is {{cvt|12.6|C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|1670.9|mm}} with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{cvt|24.3|C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{cvt|1.1|C}}.<ref name=normals/>
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Shioya (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 16.8
|Feb record high C = 21.1
|Mar record high C = 24.5
|Apr record high C = 29.5
|May record high C = 33.5
|Jun record high C = 35.0
|Jul record high C = 35.9
|Aug record high C = 36.6
|Sep record high C = 34.8
|Oct record high C = 31.1
|Nov record high C = 23.8
|Dec record high C = 22.8
|Jan record low C = -12.6
|Feb record low C = -13.1
|Mar record low C = -12.0
|Apr record low C = -5.0
|May record low C = 0.8
|Jun record low C = 6.8
|Jul record low C = 10.0
|Aug record low C = 11.9
|Sep record low C = 5.9
|Oct record low C = -1.1
|Nov record low C = -6.4
|Dec record low C = -9.8
|Jan high C = 7.2
|Feb high C = 8.2
|Mar high C = 11.9
|Apr high C = 17.5
|May high C = 22.2
|Jun high C = 24.8
|Jul high C = 28.4
|Aug high C = 29.8
|Sep high C = 25.9
|Oct high C = 20.5
|Nov high C = 15.0
|Dec high C = 9.7
|Jan mean C = 1.1
|Feb mean C = 2.0
|Mar mean C = 5.5
|Apr mean C = 10.9
|May mean C = 16.3
|Jun mean C = 19.8
|Jul mean C = 23.4
|Aug mean C = 24.3
|Sep mean C = 20.6
|Oct mean C = 14.9
|Nov mean C = 8.6
|Dec mean C = 3.3
|Jan low C = -4.4
|Feb low C = -3.7
|Mar low C = -0.6
|Apr low C = 4.7
|May low C = 10.8
|Jun low C = 15.6
|Jul low C = 19.7
|Aug low C = 20.5
|Sep low C = 16.5
|Oct low C = 9.9
|Nov low C = 2.9
|Dec low C = -2.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 40.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 38.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 94.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 119.7
|May precipitation mm = 146.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 193.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 250.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 245.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 240.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 181.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 79.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.0
|year precipitation mm = 1670.8
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.2
|Feb precipitation days = 5.0
|Mar precipitation days = 8.6
|Apr precipitation days = 10.6
|May precipitation days = 11.6
|Jun precipitation days = 15.0
|Jul precipitation days = 16.5
|Aug precipitation days = 14.6
|Sep precipitation days = 13.5
|Oct precipitation days = 10.3
|Nov precipitation days = 6.5
|Dec precipitation days = 4.7
|Jan sun = 187.7
|Feb sun = 185.6
|Mar sun = 191.7
|Apr sun = 187.8
|May sun = 178.0
|Jun sun = 119.0
|Jul sun = 116.9
|Aug sun = 142.0
|Sep sun = 117.6
|Oct sun = 137.3
|Nov sun = 159.4
|Dec sun = 178.5
|year sun = 1904.9
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref name=normals>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=41&block_no=1334&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = May 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=41&block_no=1334&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = May 19, 2022}}</ref>}}

===Demographics===
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-tochigi.php Shioya population statistics]</ref> the population of Shioya has declined over the past 70 years.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 14,104
| 1930 | 14,277
| 1940 | 14,798
| 1950 | 20,011
| 1960 | 17,665
| 1970 | 15,155
| 1980 | 14,930
| 1990 | 14,898
| 2000 | 14,171
| 2010 | 12,561
| 2020 | 10,354
|align = none
|footnote =
}}

==History==
The villages of Tamanyu, Funyu, and Omiya were created within Shioya District of Tochigi Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the [[Meiji Restoration]]. The three villages merged on March 31, 1957 to create the village of Shioya. Shioya was elevated to town status on February 11, 1965.

==Government==
Shioya has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] town council of 12 members. Shioya, together with the city of Sakura and town of Takanezawa collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of [[Tochigi 2nd district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
The economy of Shioya is heavily dependent on agriculture, but is increasingly a [[bedroom community]] for the nearby cities of Utsunomiya and Nikkō.

==Education==
Shioya has three public [[primary school]]s, one public [[middle school]] operated by the town government, and one public [[high school]] operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
*Shioya does not have any passenger train service.

===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|461}}

==Local attractions==
*Shioya Onsen
*Shojinzawa Yusui – one of the 100 famous springs of Japan

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.town.shioya.tochigi.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tochigi}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Tochigi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Shioya, Tochigi]]