Miyakonojō

Miyakonojō
都城市
City

View of downtown Miyakonojo, from Miyakonojo Castle Ruin Park

Flag

Location of Miyakonojō in Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyakonojō

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 31°43′N 131°4′E / 31.717°N 131.067°E / 31.717; 131.067Coordinates: 31°43′N 131°4′E / 31.717°N 131.067°E / 31.717; 131.067
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Miyazaki Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Makoto Nagamine
Area
 • Total 653.31 km2 (252.24 sq mi)
Population (November 1, 2012)
 • Total 168,072
 • Density 257.26/km2 (666.3/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Japanese zelkova
 • Flower Iris
 • Flowering tree Camellia sasanqua
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 6-21 Himegichō, Miyakonojō-shi, Miyazaki-ken
885-8555
Website www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp

Miyakonojō (都城市, Miyakonojō-shi) is a city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1924.

As of November 1, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 168,072, with 70,549 households and a population density of 257.26 per km². The total area is 653.31 km² making it the largest city in the prefecture in terms of area.

On January 1, 2006, the towns of Takajō, Takazaki, Yamada and Yamanokuchi (all from Kitamorokata District) were merged into Miyakonojō.

History

Miyakonojō is known as the birthplace of the Shimazu Estate, the largest shōen (estate or manor) of medieval Japan. In the 1020s, a powerful official named Taira no Suemoto developed a small manor named Shimazu-in. Expanded substantially in the first half of the 12th century, it eventually covered large portions of Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga Provinces. In 1185, Koremune no Tadahisa was appointed as jitō of the Shimazu Estate and thereafter claimed the clan name of Shimazu. It is said that one of Tadahisa's residences, called Iwayoshi Gosho, was located at Miyakonojō. Between the Muromachi period and Edo period, the Hōngō family, which was a branch family of the Shimazus, controlled the area. After the Boshin War, it became one of the cities to abolish the han system. In 1871, it became a prefecture for a year.

Industry

Many of Miyakonojō's citizens work as farmers. They produce gobō, meat, and bell peppers. Miyakonojō is also home to some agriculture-related manufacturing.

Miyakonojō is also famous for producing traditional Japanese archery bows from the abundant bamboo in the area.[1]

Miyakonojō City Office

Schools

Miyakonojō has 35 elementary schools and 19 junior high schools.

Notable residents

Nearby municipalities

An image taken from the International Space Station showing Miyakonojō and its surroundings on January 10, 2013

Climate

Miyakonojō has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), but is cooler than other cities in Miyazaki. The average temperature is about 16 °C, and it rains less than in Miyazaki City. The area's climate is influenced by its proximity to mountains.

Climate data for Miyakonojō, Miyazaki
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 11.3
(52.3)		 12.5
(54.5)		 15.9
(60.6)		 20.9
(69.6)		 24.3
(75.7)		 26.8
(80.2)		 30.7
(87.3)		 31.3
(88.3)		 28.4
(83.1)		 23.9
(75)		 18.8
(65.8)		 13.7
(56.7)		 21.54
(70.76)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.0
(41)		 6.5
(43.7)		 9.8
(49.6)		 15.1
(59.2)		 18.8
(65.8)		 22.2
(72)		 26.0
(78.8)		 26.1
(79)		 23.2
(73.8)		 17.7
(63.9)		 12.3
(54.1)		 6.9
(44.4)		 15.8
(60.44)
Average low °C (°F) −0.4
(31.3)		 1.2
(34.2)		 4.2
(39.6)		 9.8
(49.6)		 14.0
(57.2)		 18.4
(65.1)		 22.5
(72.5)		 22.4
(72.3)		 19.2
(66.6)		 12.6
(54.7)		 6.7
(44.1)		 1.2
(34.2)		 10.98
(51.78)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 60.4
(2.378)		 91.1
(3.587)		 150.8
(5.937)		 223.3
(8.791)		 253.6
(9.984)		 424.9
(16.728)		 343.1
(13.508)		 340.6
(13.409)		 262.6
(10.339)		 115.3
(4.539)		 78.5
(3.091)		 51.5
(2.028)		 2,395.7
(94.319)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 1
(0.4)		 1
(0.4)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 2
(0.8)
Average relative humidity (%) 74 73 73 77 78 82 82 82 82 78 78 77 78
Mean monthly sunshine hours 172.5 151.5 166.4 153.3 157.3 128.6 190.4 199.1 158.5 177.8 161.7 172.1 1,989.2
Source: NOAA (1961-1990)[3]

Current issues

Miyakonojō is experiencing a declining population. Several other cities in Miyazaki Prefecture are also facing this problem. Many schools are scheduled to close due to the declining population, which has resulted in fewer children.

References

  1. ↑ Miyakonojo daikyu (archery bows), Japan National Tourist Organization.
  2. ↑ Oldest man marks 112th birthday, BBC News, 18 September 2007.
  3. ↑ "Miyakonojo Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
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