Yatsushiro, Kumamoto

Yatsushiro 八代市
City
Flag
Location of Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture
Yatsushiro Location in Japan
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 km^2 (262.78 sq mi)
Population (April 30, 2011)
• Total	133,630
• Density	196.34/km^2 (508.5/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Pomelo
• Flower	Yatsushirosō (Campanula glomerata var. dahurica)
• Bird	Common kingfisher
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	1-25 Matsuejōmachi, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto-ken 866-8601
Website	www.city.yatsushiro.kumamoto.jp

Yatsushiro (八代市 Yatsushiro-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. It is the second largest city in the prefecture after Kumamoto City.

Yatsushiro City is situated on the aptly named Yatsushiro Sea in between Kumamoto and Ashikita City. It has several train lines that run through it as well as a Shinkansen line. In addition, the Kyushu Expressway and Minamikyushu Expressway converges here. The Yatsushiro District is known for connecting the east part of Kumamoto Prefecture with the west part which connects to Miyazaki Prefecture.

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 locally for several products and dishes. The banpeiyu fruit bears a resemblance to hugely oversized grapefruits. Karashi Renkon is a specialty which is a lotus root stuffed in a mustard-like sauce called karashi. Basashi is raw horse meat and is considered a delicacy within Japan. It is often served with onion and ginger.

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, Yatsuhiro Sea, 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.

Transportation

Trains

• JR Kyushu lines
  • Kyushu Shinkansen; Shin-Yatsushiro Station
  • Kagoshima Line; Arisa Station, Senchō Station, Shin-Yatsushiro Station, Yatsushiro Station
  • Trans-Kyushu Limited Express, Yatsushiro Station
  • Hisatsu Line, Yatsushiro Station, Dan Station, Sakamoto Station
• Hisatsu Orange Railway line
  • Hisatsu Orange Railway Line; Shin-Yatsushiro, Yatsushiro, Higo-Kōda, Hinagu Onsen, Higo-Futami

Tourism

• Yatsushiro Gu
• Yatsushiro Shrine
• Gokanosho Suspension Bridges
• Hinagu Onsens

Festivals

• Myokensai Festival: 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 Fireworks Festival: Usually hosted in late fall, this is one of the largest if not the largest fireworks festival in Kyushu. Firework companies enter into this festival to showcase their designs!
• Kumagawa Festival: Held in early August, this festival celebrates the Kumagawa River which flows through the city. During the festival, various schools, companies, and groups will dance through the streets to music. Some of the festival goers even come in costume! Food stall and festival food are also available.
• Kyushu International Three Day March: Held in mid-May, foreigners and locals join together in planned walks around the city and its surrounding areas. Various routes are available such as 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 km courses. Food and beverages can also be purchased at the festival and there is local entertainment at the center stage. There is an English speaking staff on hand for those who need English assistance.

Famous people

• Aki Yashiro, singer
• Eri Ishida, actress
• Haruto Kō, poet and novelist
• Junichi Kashiwabara, baseball player
• 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
• Shoko Asahara, founder of Aum Shinrikyo
• Eiji Ezaki, retired professional wrestler best known as Hayabusa

External links

• Yatsushiro City official website (Japanese)
• Yatsushiro, Kumamoto travel guide from Wikivoyage