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Shiroishi, Saga

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Template:Infobox city Japan

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

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

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.
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