Shiroishi, Saga

Shiroishi (白石町, Shiroishi-chō) is a town located in Kishima District, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Shiroishi

白石町
Town
Shiroishi town hall
Flag
Emblem
Location of Shiroishi in Saga Prefecture
Shiroishi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°9′N 130°7′E
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureSaga Prefecture
DistrictKishima
Government
 • MayorHiroaki Katafuchi
Area
 • Total99.46 km2 (38.40 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2016)
 • Total23,606
 • Density240/km2 (610/sq mi)
Symbols
 • TreeSweet Osmanthus
 • FlowerIris
Time zoneUTC+9 (JST)
City hall address253-1 Ōaza Sakata, Shiroishi-chō, Kishima-gun, Saga-ken
849-1292
Websitewww.town.shiroishi.lg.jp

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)

Adjoining Cities and Municipalities

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

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
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