Shiroishi, Saga
Shiroishi (白石町, Shiroishi-chō) is a town located in Kishima District, Saga Prefecture, Japan.
Shiroishi 白石町 | |
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Town | |
Shiroishi town hall | |
![]() Flag ![]() Emblem | |
![]() Location of Shiroishi in Saga Prefecture | |
![]() ![]() Shiroishi Location in Japan | |
Coordinates: 33°9′N 130°7′E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kyushu |
Prefecture | Saga Prefecture |
District | Kishima |
Government | |
• Mayor | Hiroaki Katafuchi |
Area | |
• Total | 99.46 km2 (38.40 sq mi) |
Population (October 1, 2016) | |
• Total | 23,606 |
• Density | 240/km2 (610/sq mi) |
Symbols | |
• Tree | Sweet Osmanthus |
• Flower | Iris |
Time zone | UTC+9 (JST) |
City hall address | 253-1 Ōaza Sakata, Shiroishi-chō, Kishima-gun, Saga-ken 849-1292 |
Website | www |
On January 1, 2005 Shiroshi absorbed the towns of Fukudomi and Ariake, all from Kishima District, to become the new and expanded town of Shiroshi.
Geography
85% of the total area of Shiroishi is farmland. The town borders the Ariake Sea on the southeast. Much of the land near the Ariake Sea is reclaimed.
Climate
- Annual Mean Air Temperature: 16˚C (60.8˚F)
- Annual Mean Precipitation: about 1450 mm (57 in)
History
- April 1, 1889 - The modern municipal system is established. At this time Shiroishi consists of nine separate villages: Hashishita, Fukudomi, Fukuji, Kinkō, Kita-Ariake, Minami-Ariake, Rokkaku, Ryūō, and Suko.
- April 1, 1936 - Fukuji gains town status and is renamed Shiroishi.
- April 1, 1955 - Kinkō and Ryūō merge to form Ariake.
- July 20, 1955 - Rokkaku and Suko are incorporated into Shiroishi.
- September 30, 1955 - Minami-Ariake is incorporated into Ariake.
- July 1, 1956 - Kita-Ariake is incorporated into Shiroishi.
- October 1, 1962 - Ariake gains town status.
- April 1, 1967 - Fukudomi gains town status.
- January 1, 2005 - The towns of Shiroishi, Fukudomi, and Ariake are merged under the name Shiroishi.
Demographics
27.01% of the population (7,437) are 65 or older. In 2005 there were 183 births and 322 deaths, 624 immigrants and 805 emigrants, indicating a negative population growth.
Economy
Agriculture
Shiroishi is a very agricultural community. Some of their agricultural products include tempe, renkon, strawberries, onions, rice, and beef.
Education
High schools
(prefectural)
- Shiroishi High School
- Saga Agricultural School
Junior high schools
- Shiroishi Junior High School
- Fukudomi Junior High School
- Ariake Junior High School
Elementary schools
- Suko Elementary School
- Rokkaku Elementary School
- Shiroishi Elementary School
- Hokumei Elementary School
- Fukudomi Elementary School
- Ariake East Elementary School
- Ariake West Elementary School
- Ariake South Elementary School
Transportation
Air
The closest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.
Rail
- JR Kyūshū
Roads
- National Highways: Route 207 and Route 444.
- Prefectural Roads: Saga Prefecture Route 36
Festivals
- Yasaka Shrine Summer Festival (八坂神社 夏祭り, yasakajinja natsumatsuri), July 13 - Floats are pulled down the main shopping district in the tradition of the Kyoto Gion Festival.
- Hassaku (八朔), October 1 - A fall festival celebrating the sea at Kaidou Shrine.
- Okunchi (おくんち), October 19 - This fall festival is held at the Tsumayama, Rokkaku, Inasa, and Fukudomi shrines. It features Japanese horseback archery, called yabusame.
- Ohitaki Festival (お火たき祭り, ohitakimatsuri), December 26 - A bonfire festival where people pray for the coming year.
Notable Places
- Utagaki Park (歌垣公園, utagaki kouen), a park with many flowers.
- Inasa Shrine (稲佐神社, inasa jinja), an old shrine in the mountains west of Shiroishi. Of particular note is the stone paved road leading to the shrine.
- Fukudomi My Land Park (ふくどみマイランド公園, fukudomi mairando kouen) a park and playground.
People from Shioishi
- Ryosuke Kagawa
- Ariake Kambara
- Nabeshima Katsushige
- Kazuhiro Maeda
- Yoshiki Maeda
- Nobuyoshi Mutō
- Yorozu Oda
- Hiroshi Ogushi
- Ryosuke Shirahama
- Ryūzōji Takanobu
External links
Media related to Shiroishi, Saga at Wikimedia Commons- Shiroishi official website