Yatsushiro, Kumamoto
| Yatsushiro 八代市 | ||
|---|---|---|
| City | ||
| ||
 | ||
  Yatsushiro | ||
| Coordinates: 32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.500°N 130.600°ECoordinates: 32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.500°N 130.600°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Kyushu | |
| Prefecture | Kumamoto Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Kazuyoshi Fukushima (since September 2009) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 680.59 km2 (262.78 sq mi) | |
| Population (April 30, 2011) | ||
| • Total | 133,630 | |
| • Density | 196.34/km2 (508.5/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| Symbols | ||
| - Tree | Pomelo | |
| - Flower | Yatsushirosō (Campanula glomerata var. dahurica) | |
| - Bird | Common Kingfisher | |
| Address |
1-25 Matsuejōmachi, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto-ken 866-8601 | |
| Phone number | 0965-33-4111 | |
| Website | Yatsushiro City | |
Yatsushiro (八代市 Yatsuhiro-shi) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
As of April 30, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 133,630 and a population density of 196.34 persons per km². The total area is 680.59 km².
On August 1, 2005, Yatsushiro absorbed the towns of Kagami and Senchō, and the villages of Izumi, Sakamoto and Tōyō (all from Yatsushiro District) to create the new and expanded city of Yashushiro.
Yatsushiro is known for its Myokensai festival on November 23 of each year, which includes a parade of horses through the streets of the city. Also, each fall Yatsushiro hosts one of Japan's largest fireworks displays.
Yatsushiro is known locally for its banpeiyu fruits which bear a resemblance to hugely oversized grapefruits.
The city's landmarks include the ruins of Yatsushiro Castle (now part of a shinto shrine) and the often overlooked port area that offers magnificent views of the nearby Amakusa islands and the local paper factory.
A flight of 777 stairs into the nearby mountains is located at one end of the town and is a popular attraction. The lookout point provides a panoramic view of the town and the coastal areas.
The main shopping area, the honmachi, is a covered arcade that runs for several city blocks. However, since the opening of two large malls nearby the area has been in decline.
Tourism
- Yatsushiro Gu
- Yatsushiro Shrine
Famous people from Yatsushiro
- Aki Yashiro, singer
- Eri Ishida, actress
- Haruto Kō, poet and novelist
- Junichi Kashiwabara, baseball player
- Kaiseki Sata, monk
- Kazumi Sonokawa, baseball player
- Kimiko Jinnai, badminton player
- Kosuke Noda, baseball player
- Matsui Okinaga, samurai
- Matsuki Miyazaki, doctor
- Nishiyama Sōin, haikai-no-renga poet
- Nobuhiko Matsunaka, baseball player
- Nobuyuki Hirai, weather presenter
- Shoko Asahara, founder of Aum Shinrikyo
- Yujiro Fukushima, composer
- Yuriko Hatano, announcer
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. |
- Yatsushiro City official website (Japanese)
Yatsushiro, Kumamoto travel guide from Wikivoyage
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