Yatsushiro, Kumamoto

Yatsushiro, Kumamoto

Yatsushiro
八代市
—  City  —

Flag
Location of Yatsushiro in Kumamoto
Yatsushiro is located in Japan
Yatsushiro
 
Coordinates: 32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.5°N 130.6°E / 32.5; 130.6Coordinates: 32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.5°N 130.6°E / 32.5; 130.6
Country Japan
Region Kyūshū
Prefecture Kumamoto
Government
 - Mayor Kazuyoshi Fukushima (since September 2009)
Area
 - Total 680.59 km2 (262.8 sq mi)
Population (April 30, 2011)
 - Total 133,630
 - Density 196.34/km2 (508.5/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree Pomelo
- Flower Yatsushirosō (Campanula glomerata var. dahurica)
- Bird Common Kingfisher
Phone number 0965-33-4111
Address 1-25 Matsuejōmachi, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto-ken
866-8601
Website Yatsushiro City

Yatsushiro (八代市 Yatsuhiro-shi?) is a city located in Kumamoto, Japan.

On August 1, 2005, the city merged with the municipalities of Izumi, Kagami, Sakamoto, Senchō and Tōyō to form the new expanded city of Yashushiro.

As of April 30, 2011, Yatsuhiro has a population of 133,630 and a density of 196.34 persons per km². The total area is 680.59 km².

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 over-sized 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.

Famous people from Yatsushiro

  • Aki Yashiro, singer
  • Eri Ishida, actress
  • Junichi Kashiwabara, baseball player
  • Kaiseki Sata, monk
  • Kazumi Sonokawa, baseball player
  • Kimiko Jinnai, badminton player
  • Kosuke Noda, baseball player
  • Matsuki Miyazaki, doctor
  • Nobuhiko Matsunaka, baseball player
  • Nobuyuki Hirai, weather presenter
  • Shoko Asahara, founder of Aum Shinrikyo
  • Yujiro Fukushima, composer
  • Yuriko Hatano, announcer
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