Shiroishi, Saga

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**Shiroishi**
**白石町**
Shiroishi's location in Saga, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Saga
District	Kishima District
Physical characteristics
Area	99.46 km² (38.40 sq mi)
Population (as of September 1, 2007)
Total	26,408
Density	267 /km² (692 /sq mi)
Location	33°9′N, 130°7′E
Symbols
Tree	Sweet Osmanthus
Flower	Iris
Shiroishi Government Office
Mayor	Hiroaki Katafuchi
Address	〒849-1292 253-1 Ōaza Sakata, Shiroishi-chō, Kishima-gun, Saga-ken
Phone number	0954-65-3111
Official website: Town of Shiroishi

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

1 Geography
- 1.1 Climate
- 1.2 Adjoining Cities and Municipalities
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Economy
- 4.1 Agriculture
5 Education
6 Transportation
7 Festivals
8 Notable Places

[edit] 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.

[edit] Climate

Annual Mean Air Temperature: 16˚C (60.8˚F)
Annual Mean Precipitation: about 1450 mm (57 in)

[edit] Adjoining Cities and Municipalities

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Agriculture

Shiroishi is a very agricultural community. Some of their agricultural products include tempe, renkon, strawberries, onions, rice, and beef.

[edit] Education

[edit] High Schools

(prefectural)

Shiroishi High School
Saga Agricultural School

[edit] Junior High Schools

Shiroishi Junior High School
Fukudomi Junior High School
Ariake Junior High School

[edit] 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

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Air

The closest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.

[edit] Rail

JR Kyūshū
- Nagasaki Main Line
  - Hizen-Shiroishi and Hizen-Ryūō

[edit] Roads

National Highways: Route 207 and Route 444.
Prefectural Roads: Saga Prefecture Route 36

[edit] Festivals

Yasaka Shrine Summer Festival (八坂神社夏祭り, yasakajinja natsumatsuri^?), July 13th - Floats are pulled down the main shopping district in the tradition of the Kyoto Gion Festival.
Hassaku (八朔, Hassaku^?), October 1st - A fall festival celebrating the sea at Kaidou Shrine.
Okunchi (おくんち, Okunchi^?), October 19th - 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 26th - A bonfire festival where people pray for the coming year.

[edit] 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.