Asakura, Fukuoka

Asakura (朝倉市, Asakura-shi) is a city located in south central Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on Kyūshū Island.

Asakura 朝倉市
City
Asakura Three Waterwheels
Flag Emblem
Location of Asakura in Fukuoka Prefecture
Asakura Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°25′N 130°40′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Fukuoka Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Susuke Morita (since April 2010)
Area
• Total	246.73 km^2 (95.26 sq mi)
Population  (January 31, 2011)
• Total	57,488
• Density	233.00/km^2 (603.5/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (JST)
City hall address	412-2 Bodaiji, Asakura-shi, Fukuoka-ken 838-0061
Website	www.city.asakura.lg.jp

The modern city of Asakura was established on March 20, 2006, from the merger of the former town of Asakura (from Asakura District), absorbing the city of Amagi, and the town of Haki (also from Asakura District).

As of January 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 57,488 and a population density of 233 persons per km². The total area is 246.73 km².

Geography

Asakura is located about 40 km southeast of Fukuoka and about 20 km northeast of Kurume.

Adjoining municipalities

• Fukuoka Prefecture
  • Chikuzen
  • Kama
  • Kurume
  • Tachiarai
  • Tōhō
  • Ukiha
• Ōita Prefecture
  • Hita

History

The imperial court moved to the Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace, where it stayed from May until July 661.

• October, 1876 - Outbreak of the Akizuki Rebellion
• April 1, 1889 - The modern municipal system is established. The current city region is occupied by one town, Amagi; and 18 villages: Akizuki, Asakura, Haki, Hinashiro, Fukuda, Fukunari, Kamiakizuki, Kanagawa, Takagi, Kugumiya, Mada, Masue, Minagi, Miyano, Ōba, Shiwa, Tateishi and Yasukawa.
• December 27, 1893 - Akizuki was elevated to town status.
• June 15, 1909 - Fukunari and Ōba were merged to create Daifuku Village.
• April 17, 1939 - Haki was elevated to town status.
• April 1, 1951 - Kugumiya, Masue and Shiwa were merged into Haki Town.
• April 1, 1954 - Amagi, Akizuki, Fukuda, Hinashiro, Kamiakizuki, Kanagawa, Mada, Minagi, Tateishi and Yasukawa were all merged to create Amagi City.
• March 10, 1955 - Takagi was merged into Amagi City.
• March 31, 1955 - Daifuku and Miyano were merged into Asakura Village.
• April 1, 1962 - Asakura was elevated to town status.
• March 20, 2006 - Amagi, Asakura and Haki were merged to create Asakura City.

Education

Prefectural senior high schools

• Asakura Kōyō Senior High School
• Asakura Higashi Senior High School
• Asakura Senior High School

Municipal junior high schools

• Amagi Junior High School
• Akizuki Junior High School
• Haki Junior High School
• Hiramatsu Junior High School
• Jūmonji Junior High School
• Nanryō Junior High School

Municipal elementary schools

• Amagi Elementary School
• Asakura Higashi Elementary School
• Akizuki Elementary School
• Daifuku Elementary School
• Fukuda Elementary School
• Haki Elementary School
• Hinashiro Elementary School
• Kanagawa Elementary School
• Kugumiya Elementary School
• Mada Elementary School
• Masue Elementary School
• Minagi Elementary School
• Shiwa Elementary School
• Tateishi Elementary School

Transportation

Air

The closest airport is Fukuoka Airport.

Rail

• Amagi Railway
  • Amagi Line
    • Amagi Station
• Nishitetsu
  • Amagi Line
    • Amagi Station - Mada Station - Kamiura Station

Road

• Expressways
  • Ōita Expressway
    • Amagi Interchange - Asakura Interchange - Yamada Service Area - Haki Interchange
• National highways:
  • Route 322
  • Route 386
    • Harazuru Roadside Station
  • Route 500
• Main prefectural roads:
  • Mada-Tonta Route 8
  • Tosu-Asakura Route 14
  • Amagi-Tanushimaru Route 33
  • Yame-Kawara Route 52
  • Keisenshimo-Akizuki Route 66
  • Asakura-Koishiwara Route 79
  • Amagi-Asakura-Tanushimaru Route 80

Scenic and historic places

Akizuki Castle Ruins Nagayamon

• Akizuki
• Akizuki Castle Ruins
• Asakura Three Waterwheels
• Eso Hachiman Shrine
• Harazuru Onsen
• Hiratukakawazoe Ruins
• Kakurega Forest

Festivals and events

• Dorouchi Festival
• Oshiroi Festival

Notable People

• Michiko Kichise - actress and model

External links

• Media related to Asakura, Fukuoka at Wikimedia Commons
• Asakura City official website (in Japanese)