Sōka

Sōka (草加市, Sōka-shi) is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 247,165, and a population density of 9,000 persons per km². Its total area is 27.46 square kilometres (10.60 sq mi).

This article is about the city in Japan. For the village in Burkina Faso, see Souka, Burkina Faso. For the town of ancient Bithynia, see Soka (Bithynia). For Estonian lake, see Soka Lake.
soka

草加市
Special city
soka
Sōka City office
Flag
Seal
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
soka
Location of Sōka in Japan
Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureSaitama Prefecture
Area
 • Total27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2016)
 • Total247,165
 • Density9,000/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreePinus
- FlowerChrysanthemum
Phone number048-922-0151
Address1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken 840-8550
Websitewww.city.soka.saitama.jp
Sōka Matsubara

Geography

Situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture approximately 30 kilometers away from Tokyo. Sōka is surrounded to the east by the cities of Yashio, Misato and Yoshikawa, and to the west by Kawaguchi. To the north is Koshigaya and to the south Adachi Ward of Metropolitan Tokyo.

Sōka, once a peaceful agricultural area surrounded by water and greenery, lies in the Nakagawa-ayase basin, an area referred to as the Nakagawa-teichi district. This alluvial plain spreads over the central part of the Kanto Plain. As a result of urbanization, the once abundant greenery and clean water was adversely affected. Now, Sōka is promoting a "town of greenery and water based on history and the natural features of the area". Creation of areas of greenery reflecting the changes of the four seasons, and the restoration of waterways and environs is being advanced.

Surrounding municipalities

History

During the Edo period, Sōka-shuku developed as a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō highway. The town of was Sōka created within Kitaadachi District, Saitama with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It annexed the neighboring villages of Yatsuka and Shinden on January 1, 1955, followed by the village of Kawayanagi on August 1, 1955. On November 1, 1955, Sōka was elevated to city status. Following this, rapid population expansion and urbanization took hold due to strong economic growth which was fueled by its proximity to Tokyo. The city was proclaimed a tokureishi on April 1, 2004 with increased local autonomy.

Economy
Miso senbei from Sōka

Sōka traditionally is known for its rice cracker, the Sōka senbei. However, agriculture and food processing form a minor portion of the local economy, which is heavily industrialized.

Education
  • Dokkyo University
  • Sōka has 21 elementary schools, 11 junior high schools, four high schools, and one special education school.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Twin towns and sister cities

Sōka is twinned with:

Local attractions
  • Sōka Matsubara

Notable people from Sōka
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References
  1. "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
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