Ishigaki, Okinawa

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This article is about a city. For the island, see Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki City
石垣市
City
石垣市
Top left: Mount Omoto, Top right: Mount Nosoko, 2nd row: Kabira Bay from Kabira Park, lower left: 730 Street in downtown Ishigaki, lower right: Shiraho natural reef, Bottom of left:Hirakubo peninsula from Tamatorizaki, Bottom right: Miyara old residence site

Flag
Location of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture
Ishigaki City
Location of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture
Coordinates: 24°20′26″N 124°9′20″E / 24.34056°N 124.15556°E / 24.34056; 124.15556Coordinates: 24°20′26″N 124°9′20″E / 24.34056°N 124.15556°E / 24.34056; 124.15556
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Okinawa Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Nagateru Ōhama
Area
 • Total 229.00 km2 (88.42 sq mi)
Population (December, 2012)
 • Total 48,816
 • Density 213/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Yaeyama kokutan (Diospyros ferrea)
- Flower Sakishima tsutsuji (Rhododendron amanoi Ohwi)
- Bird Crested Serpent Eagle
- Butterfly Rice Paper butterfly
- Fish Hamafuefuki (Lethrinus nebulosus)
- Shell Black-lip oyster (Pinctada margaritifera)
Phone number 0980-82-9911
Address 14 Misakichō, Ishigaki-shi 907-8501
Website www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp(Japanese)

Ishigaki (石垣市 Ishigaki-shi, Okinawan: Ishigachi) is a city located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It includes Ishigaki island and the disputed Senkaku Islands territory.[1] The city is the political, cultural, and economic center of the Yaeyama Islands.[2] New Ishigaki Airport serves the city.

As of December 2012, the city has an estimated population of 48,816 and a population density of 213 persons per km². The total area is 229.00 km².[3]

Geography

The city of Ishigaki covers the entirety of Ishigaki Island (221 square kilometres (85 sq mi). The island is surrounded by coral reefs. The highest point on Ishigaki Island is Omotodake (526 metres (1,726 ft)).[4]

The uninhabited Senkaku Islands are located 150 kilometres (93 mi) north of the Ishigaki Island. The Senkaku Islands cover roughly 6.3 square kilometres (2.4 sq mi).[5][6]

Climate

Ishigaki has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the rainiest month is August while the driest month is December.

Climate data for Ishigaki, Okinawa
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 21.2
(70.2)		 21.6
(70.9)		 23.5
(74.3)		 25.8
(78.4)		 28.3
(82.9)		 30.4
(86.7)		 32.0
(89.6)		 31.8
(89.2)		 30.7
(87.3)		 28.7
(83.7)		 25.8
(78.4)		 22.7
(72.9)		 26.88
(80.38)
Daily mean °C (°F) 18.6
(65.5)		 19.1
(66.4)		 20.8
(69.4)		 23.3
(73.9)		 25.7
(78.3)		 28.0
(82.4)		 29.5
(85.1)		 29.2
(84.6)		 27.9
(82.2)		 25.9
(78.6)		 23.2
(73.8)		 20.1
(68.2)		 24.28
(75.7)
Average low °C (°F) 16.5
(61.7)		 16.9
(62.4)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.2
(70.2)		 23.6
(74.5)		 26.1
(79)		 27.6
(81.7)		 27.1
(80.8)		 25.8
(78.4)		 23.7
(74.7)		 21.1
(70)		 18.0
(64.4)		 22.17
(71.93)
Precipitation mm (inches) 130.6
(5.142)		 139.4
(5.488)		 131.5
(5.177)		 155.1
(6.106)		 206.6
(8.134)		 206.6
(8.134)		 130.4
(5.134)		 261.6
(10.299)		 257.7
(10.146)		 204.5
(8.051)		 156.5
(6.161)		 126.3
(4.972)		 2,106.8
(82.944)
% humidity 72 74 76 78 79 81 77 77 76 73 72 69 75.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 85.9 82.1 112.0 125.3 162.3 208.7 264.5 235.2 193.6 158.4 115.8 100.7 1,844.5
Source: JMA (1981-2010) [7]

History

Ishigaki was originally founded in 1908 as Yaeyama Village, an amalgamation of the Ishigaki, Ōhama, and Miyara magiri. In 1914 it was renamed to Ishigaki Village, and grew to become Ishigaki Town in 1926. Ishigaki was elevated to city status on July 10, 1947.

Transportation

New Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port serve the city.

Economy

Ishigaki produces sugarcane and pineapples. Tourism is also an important part of the economy of the city.[2]

Sights

The town of Ishigaki has various sights to offer.

  • Gongen Do is a sightworthy Shinto shrine close to the center of Ishigaki town which was founded in 1614. The shrine was destroyed during a flood in 1771. The present buildings date from 1787.[8] The neighbouring building is Torin Ji, a buddhist temple which was founded in 1614 as well. It houses several statues dating from 1737 which possibly represent tutelary gods of Ishigaki Island.
  • Close by is Miyara Donchi, a residential building dating from 1819. Its architecture with a hip roof consisting of red tiles is similar to samurai houses on mainland Japan, but there have never been samurai on the Yaeyama Islands. The modern Roman Catholic Church of Ishigaki which can be seen from the house forms a clear contrast.
  • The Museum of the Yaeyama Islands, Shiritsu Yaeyama Hakubutsukan, is on Main Street in the center of Ishigaki town. Various kinds of boats and other items referring to the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands can be seen. It is famous for being the southernmost museum of Japan.
  • Fuzaki Kannon Do is a small Shinto shrine dating from 1742. It is 5 km west of the town on a hill offering a scenic view of Ishigaki and Iriomote, the neighbouring island.[9] The shrine is dedicated to Kannon, the Shinto goddess of mercy.
  • Tojinbaka is tomb in a typical Chinese style about 6 km west the town on the ring road. 400 Chinese labourers who died during a rebellion on a ship sailing to America in 1852 are buried here.[10]
  • In the northwest of Ishigaki island Kabira Wan Bay is worth a visit.

Notable people from Ishigaki

Gallery

  • Shinto shrine Gongen Do

  • Torin Ji Temple

  • Miyara Donchi

  • Catholic Church in Ishigaki

  • Shrine Fuzaki Kannon Do

  • Tojinbaka Tomb

  • Kabira Wan Bay

References

  1. ↑ "石垣（市）" [Ishigaki]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 153301537. Retrieved 2012-12-14. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ishigaki". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-12-31. 
  3. ↑ "石垣市の人口" [Population of Ishigaki] (in Japanese). Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: City of Ishigaki. 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-28. 
  4. ↑ "Ishigakijima". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-12-14. 
  5. ↑ "Senkaku". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-12-14. 
  6. ↑ "尖閣諸島" [Senkaku Islands]. Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 173191044. Retrieved 2012-12-07.  Unknown parameter |dlc= ignored (help)
  7. ↑ "Ishigakijima Climate Normals 1981-2010" (in Japanese). Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved December 22, 2013. 
  8. ↑ Chris Taylor: Japan, S. 716. Stefan Loose Verlag. Berlin 1998
  9. ↑ Yamakei: Ryukyu Nansei Shoto, p.106. Tokio 2003. ISBN 4-635-01718-4
  10. ↑ Yamakei: Ryukyu Nansei Shoto, p.105. Tokio 2003. ISBN 4-635-01718-4

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ishigaki, Okinawa.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ishigaki.
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