Ureshino, Saga
Ureshino (嬉野市, Ureshino-shi) is a city located in the western part of Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.
As of January 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 29,227 and a population density of 231 persons per km². The total area is 126.51 km².
The modern city of Ureshino was formed on January 1, 2006, by the merger of the former town of Ureshino, absorbing the town of Shiota (both from Fujitsu District). Ureshino is locally known for the green tea grown there and its hot spring resorts.
Adjoining municipalities
History
- 1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system was established. The current city region is occupied by 6 villages (Gochōda, Higashiureshino, Kuma, Nishiureshino, Shiota and Yoshida).
- 1918-10-05 - Shiota was elevated to town status.
- 1929-04-22 - Nishiureshino was elevated to town status and was renamed Ureshino.
- 1933-04-01 - Higashiureshino was incorporated into Ureshino.
- 1955-04-01 - Yoshida was incorporated into Ureshino.
- 1956-09-01 - Gochōda and Kuma were incorporated into Shiota.
- 2006-01-01 - Ureshino absorbed Shiota to create Ureshino City.
Education
Prefectural senior high schools
- Shiota Technical Senior High School
- Ureshino Senior High School
Municipal junior high schools
- Ōnohara Junior High School
- Shiota Junior High School
- Ureshino Junior High School
- Yoshida Junior High School
Municipal elementary schools
- Gochōda Elementary School
- Kuma Elementary School
- Ōkusano Elementary School
- Ōnohara Elementary School
- Shiota Elementary School
- Todoroki Elementary School
- Ureshino Elementary School
- Yoshida Elementary School
Transport
Air
The closest airports are Nagasaki Airport and Saga Airport.
Rail
There are no railway stations in Ureshino. The closest are Hizen-Kashima Station in Kashima and Takeo-Onsen Station in Takeo.
Road
- Expressways:
- Nagasaki Expressway
- Ureshino Interchange
- Nagasaki Expressway
- National highways:
- Prefectural roads:
- Sasebo-Ureshino Route 1
- Ōmura-Ureshino Route 6
- Ureshino-Shiota Route 28
- Kashima-Ureshino Route 41
- Ureshino-Yamauchi Route 45
Places and items of interest
Hizen Yume Kaido
This amusement park is a reproduction of a town along the Nagasaki Kaido, a major route which ran through the region in the 17th century during the Edo Period. There are dramatic shows that include samurai, ninjas and princesses, shown on the weekends.
Ureshino Spa
The city boasts some of the region's best onsen, including Shibasansou, Taishoya, and Warakuen. There are currently over 40 spas in the area, both indoor and outdoor, ranging in size and water quality. Tourists may purchase a discount spa ticket from the local Tourist Information Office, located at the Ureshino Highway Interchange.
Ureshino Onsen Tofu
Onsen water is used to make this delightful local dish. The alkaline in the water makes the bean curd in the tofu soft and mellow when it is heated in ceramic pots. Onsen tofu is traditionally served with condiments such as green onion, ginger, and sesame paste to taste.
Ureshino Green Tea
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Tea_Tree.jpg/220px-Tea_Tree.jpg)
Ureshino is an area surrounded by green tea fields, and is well known as one of the best green tea producers in Japan, as the method of tea production dates back to 1504, when it was first introduced from China during the Ming Dynasty. This tradition has been carried on today in the delicate aroma and flavour of the tea.
Festivals and events
January
- Takeo Onsen Health Road Race (嬉野温泉健康ロードレース大会)
February
- Ureshino Attaka Festival (うれしのあったかまつり)
April
- Ureshino Tea Mitto (うれしの茶ミット)
- Oyama-san Festival (お山さんまつり)
August
- Happy Carnival (うれしカーニバル)
- Takeo Onsen Summer Festival (嬉野温泉夏まつり)
November
- Hachiman Shrine Festival (八幡宮例祭)
- Tanjō Shrine Shiota Kunchi (丹生神社例祭塩田くんち)
December
- Hachiten Shrine Grand Festival (八天神社例大祭)
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)