Shibayama, Chiba

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Shibayama
芝山

Location

Country

Japan

Region

Kantō region

Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture

Physical characteristics

Area

43.47 km²

Population (as of July 1, 2005)

Total

8,450

Density

193.4/km²

Location

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Symbols

Tree

Mountain cherry blossom

Flower

Image:-

Symbol of Shibayama

Shibayama Hall

Mayor

Katsushige Aikawa

Address

〒289-1624
992 Koike, Shibayama-machi
Sanbu-gun, Chiba

Phone number

0479-77-3901

Official website: Shibayama Town

Shibayama (芝山町; -machi) is a town located in Sanbu District, Chiba, Japan, southeast of the city of Narita.

Narita International Airport is located on the border between Shibayama and Narita. Most airport service facilities are located on the Narita side: however, Shibayama has developed a local industrial base due to the airport's presence, and hosts three major industrial areas. The remainder of the town is very agricultural, and much of it is covered with rice fields and farmland. As it lies directly beneath one of the main approach paths to the airport, noise pollution and eminent domain issues have caused it to be a center of anti-airport activism.

There are three elementary schools (Shibayama Elementary School, Higashi Elementary School, Hishida Elementary School) and one middle school (Shibayama Middle School).

Shibayama's only railway station is Shibayama-Chiyoda Station, the terminus of the Shibayama Railway Line.

[edit] Haniwa

The Haniwa is a cultural symbol for the town. The main North-South road, route 62, is also known as "Haniwa Dou(はにわ道)" or "Haniwa Avenue". It is lined with modern remakes of Haniwa statues. The Haniwa come from the many burial mounds that have been found in Shibayama. The biggest of these burial mounds are Tonozuka (殿塚) and Himezuka (姫塚). There are of the Zenpoukouenfun (前方後円墳) form, and have the shape of a squarish front and round back, giving them the shape of old keyholes. The tombs are of the later Tumulus period of Japan's History. According to a local pamphlet, a procession of haniwa were discovered for the first time here, and is renown as the most representative collection.

The Haniwa Festival is held each year on the second Sunday of November. Created in 1982, the stated purpose of the festival is to allow contemporary people to look back, recall, and appreciate the legacy of (their) ancient heritage. It is a day long festival with the center being a procession of Kodaijin (古代人-Ancient People). The Kodaijin are mostly local elementary and middle school children, and comprises the entourage the Kodaijin King and Queen.

The procession starts at Tonozuka and represents the Kodaijin coming back to visit for the day. This marks the start of the festival. The procession is then moved to the local Shibayama Park where the main festivities take place. Then at the end of the day, the procession heads of a hill into the forest, which represents the return of the Kodaijin to heaven.

[edit] Shibayama Niouson Temple

Built in 781, as part of the kannon sect of Buddhisim, the Niou Gate enshrines the two guardians. Through the ages, it has been affectionately called Shibayama Niouson (芝山仁王尊) temple. A 3 tiered pagoda still stands inside of the temple grounds and is a famous Prefecture Cultural Asset. There is also the Shibayama museum which displays haniwa, as well as Buddhist art.

(Roughly translated from the town web site)