Munakata, Fukuoka

Munakata 宗像市
City
Munakata City Hall
Flag Emblem
Location of Munakata in Fukuoka Prefecture
Munakata Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°48′N 130°32′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Fukuoka Prefecture
first official recorded	391 AD
City Settled	April 1, 1981
Government
• Mayor	Misako Izu (from May 2018)
Area
• Total	119.66 km2 (46.20 sq mi)
Population  (October 1, 2016)
• Total	96,728
• Density	810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address	1-1-1 Tōgō, Munakata-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-3492
Website	www.city.munakata.lg.jp
Symbols
Flower	Japanese lily
Tree	Camphor laurel

Munakata (宗像市, Munakata-shi) is a city in Japan, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the north Chikuzen region of the prefecture. The city was founded on April 1, 1981.

As of October 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 96,728 and a population density of 810 persons per km². The total area is 119.66 km².

Efforts have been made to inculcate Japan-South Korea friendship, and also friendship with New Zealand in recent years.

History

A view of Okinoshima Island, a World Heritage site

Munakata Taisha

The origin of the name Munakata is said to be from "Minokatachi" or "Minokata" from the enshrinement of three Munakata goddesses, descended from sword of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and mentioned in the Kojiki.

The area has prospered from trade with China and Korea from ancient times. It has been a World Heritage Site (Okinoshima) at Munakata Shrine. Munakata Shrine specifies itself as the territory of the god of Kyūshū during the Asuka period — ranging from Onga in the east, south to Wakamiya and Miyata, and Shingū in the west. During the age of civil wars a daimyō with leading Shinto priest and Munakata Ujisada of Munakata Shrine established Tsutagadake castle (Mount Jo). Through this, Munakata, Onga and Kurate were protected from invasion by other daimyos such as Tachibana Dōsetsu and the Ōtomo clan. There are also ghost stories connected with the area since the Yamada incident arose.

On April 1, 2003, Munakata absorbed the town of Genkai (from Munakata District) to create the new and expanded city of Munakata.

On March 28, 2005, the village of Ōshima (also from Munakata District) was absorbed into Munakata.

In the earthquake on March 20, 2005, damage was done in various parts of the city. The quake registered just under five on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.

Akama

Akama (赤間) is a historical district and city center of Munakata. It contains rows of old houses belonging, along with the original Akama hotel and two now-ruined castles: Hakusan Castle and Tsutagadake Castle. The Shinto priest and founder of Munakata Shrine was a local military leader in medieval times. It is also connected to the period in history when Saigō Takamori and Takasugi Shinsaku were in conflict with the national government.

The main JR Kyūshū train station in Munakata is called Akama, and is a part of the Kagoshima Main Line. The city is also served by the Kyōikudaimae and Tōgō JR stations.

Sports facilities

• Global Arena, which has hosted the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament since 2000
• Genkai Ground, which hosts the Munakata Sanix Blues rugby team

External links

• Munakata City official website (in Japanese)