Miyako, Fukuoka

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Miyako
みやこ町
Town
Flag of Miyako
Official seal of Miyako
Location of Miyako in Fukuoka Prefecture
Location of Miyako in Fukuoka Prefecture
Miyako is located in Japan
Miyako
Miyako
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°42′N 130°55′E / 33.700°N 130.917°E / 33.700; 130.917Coordinates: 33°42′N 130°55′E / 33.700°N 130.917°E / 33.700; 130.917
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureFukuoka Prefecture
DistrictMiyako
Area
 • Total151.28 km2 (58.41 sq mi)
Population
 (April 30, 2017)
 • Total20,286
 • Density130/km2 (350/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Websitewww.town.miyako.lg.jp

Miyako (みやこ町, Miyako-machi) is a town located in Miyako District, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Miyako was officially founded on March 20, 2006 and it is formed by three towns including Katsuyama (勝山), Saigawa (犀川) and Toyotsu (豊津), all from the Miyako District. Its estimated population is 20,286 at the point of April 30, 2017.[1] The total area size of the town is 151.28 km².

Saigawa[]

The Saigawa District is surrounded by mountains and Imagawa and Haraigawa are the two rivers that flow through the district. It also has the Fukuoka Prefectural Road 34, and the Heisei Chikuho railway run across.The name "Saigawa" came from he Shinto God, which is also known as "Sai no Kami" in Japan. It is enshrined at a crossing place along the Imagawa river. The name combines two words, "Sai" from "Sai no Kami", and "gawa" from "kawa" which has a meaning of river in Japanese.

History[]

In 1905, East Saigawa Village, West Saigawa Village, and Minami Saigawa Village merged to form the Saigawa Village. It was renamed as Saigawa Town in 1943, and expanded to include the Irahara Village in 1956. In 2006, Saigawa Town merged with Katsuyama and Toyotsu to form Miyako District.

Irahara[]

Irahara is located in Miyako Town, south of Yukuhashi, Fukuoka and is surrounded by natural features. It is located along Route 496 at 33°42'N, 130°55'E and is 253 m above sea level. The town has an area of 2, 356 km2 and a population of 284.

Irahara, Fukuoka Map

History[]

People were first identified to be living in Irahara approximately 3000 years ago during the Jōmon period. In 2017, most of the town was submerged in water following the construction of the Irahara Dam.

Landmark Architecture[]

The Naganuma House is a historical building that was constructed in1839. It represents the lifestyle in the Edo era.

Wildlife[]

The Miyako Sawa-Gani is an endangered freshwater crab that is native to Miyako Island. The species cannot survive in sea water and live in habitats that are confined to inland waters or land.

Kagura[]

Kagura is a traditional Noh dance common in Irahara. It is offered to the Gods of Shinto. The actions represent the stories of Japanese myths. The dance has been passed down from parents to children for generations.

Irahara, Fukuoka kagura

Irahara Dam[]

Miyako Town experiences frequent flooding. In 2017, the multipurpose Dam called the Irahara Dam was constructed to prevent floods and contain tap water.

Harai River[]

The Harai River is 31 km long and flows from Irahara to Yukuhashi City. Fireflies are common around the river in early summer.

Festivals[]

Many festivals are held throughout the year and are mainly concerned with agriculture. Jinkosai is a festival held in May where Kagura is common.

Food[]

Traditional foods include Hawasabi and rice.

Climate[]

The climate in Miyako is warm and temperate. Miyako has high annual rainfall at 1282 mm | 50.5 inch. The average annual temperature in the town is 10.9 °C | 51.6 °F.

References[]

  1. ^ "Official website of Miyako Town" (in Japanese). Japan: Miyako Town. Retrieved 22 May 2017.

Miyako, I. (2020). Miyako climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Miyako water temperature - Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 28 October 2020, from https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/iwate/miyako-5144/

External links[]

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