Shirataka

Shirataka (白鷹町, Shirataka-machi) is a town located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020, the town had an estimated population of 13,482 in 4730 households,[1] and a population density of 85 persons per km². The total area of the town is 737.55 square kilometres (285 sq mi).

Shirataka

白鷹町
Town
Shirataka Town Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Shirataka in Yamagata Prefecture
Shirataka
 
Coordinates: 38°10′59.1″N 140°05′54.8″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureYamagata
DistrictNishiokitama
Area
 • Total157.74 km2 (60.90 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2020)
 • Total13,482
 • Density85/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeSakura
- FlowerKobushi Magnolia
- BirdHawk
-FishAyu
Phone number0238-85-2111
Address833 Arata, Shirataka-chō, Yamagata-ken 992-0892
WebsiteOfficial website
Mogami Rover in Shirataka

Geography

Shirataka is located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, with the Mogami River running through the center of town. The Asahi Mountains border the town to the east and west.

Neighboring municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Shirataka has gradually been decreasing over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 24,772—    
1970 20,183−18.5%
1980 18,821−6.7%
1990 18,112−3.8%
2000 17,149−5.3%
2010 15,313−10.7%

Climate

Shirataka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

History

The area of present-day Shirataka was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Shirataka was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on October 1, 1954 by merger with the neighboring town of Arata and villages of Higashine, Ayukai, Jūō, and Koguwa.

Economy

The economy of Shirataka is based on agriculture, with hops as a major cash crop.

Education

Shirataka has four public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

Yamagata Railway Company - Flower Nagai Line

Highway

Local attractions
  • Kannon-ji Kannon-do (Important Cultural Property)

References
  1. Shirataka Town official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. Shirataka population statistics

Media related to Shirataka, Yamagata at Wikimedia Commons

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