Kōsa (甲佐町, Kōsa-machi) is a town located in Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

Kōsa
甲佐町
Town
Flag of Kōsa
Official seal of Kōsa
Kōsa is located in Japan
Kōsa
Kōsa
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°39′N 130°49′E / 32.650°N 130.817°E / 32.650; 130.817
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureKumamoto Prefecture
DistrictKamimashiki
Area
 • Total57.87 km2 (22.34 sq mi)
Population
 (February 28, 2017)
 • Total10,924
 • Density190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
ClimateCfa
Websitewww.town.kosa.kumamoto.jp

As of February 2017, the town has an estimated population of 10,924[1] and a density of 190 persons per km2. The total area is 57.87 km2.

Geography edit

Climate edit

Kōsa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. There is significant precipitation throughout the year, especially during June and July. The average annual temperature in Kōsa is 16.3 °C (61.3 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,145.6 mm (84.47 in) with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.1 °C (80.8 °F), and lowest in January, at around 5.4 °C (41.7 °F).[2] The highest temperature ever recorded in Kōsa was 37.9 °C (100.2 °F) on 14 August 2018; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −8.8 °C (16.2 °F) on 25 January 2016.[3]

Climate data for Kōsa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.0
(71.6)
25.1
(77.2)
28.8
(83.8)
30.0
(86.0)
34.0
(93.2)
35.7
(96.3)
37.9
(100.2)
37.9
(100.2)
36.2
(97.2)
32.9
(91.2)
27.9
(82.2)
24.6
(76.3)
37.9
(100.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)
12.3
(54.1)
15.9
(60.6)
21.3
(70.3)
26.0
(78.8)
28.0
(82.4)
31.6
(88.9)
33.0
(91.4)
29.7
(85.5)
24.7
(76.5)
18.6
(65.5)
12.8
(55.0)
22.0
(71.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.4
(41.7)
6.7
(44.1)
10.1
(50.2)
15.0
(59.0)
19.5
(67.1)
23.0
(73.4)
26.5
(79.7)
27.1
(80.8)
23.8
(74.8)
18.5
(65.3)
12.8
(55.0)
7.4
(45.3)
16.3
(61.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.9
(33.6)
1.7
(35.1)
4.7
(40.5)
9.2
(48.6)
14.1
(57.4)
18.9
(66.0)
22.6
(72.7)
22.9
(73.2)
19.5
(67.1)
13.5
(56.3)
8.0
(46.4)
2.8
(37.0)
11.6
(52.8)
Record low °C (°F) −8.8
(16.2)
−7.2
(19.0)
−3.5
(25.7)
−0.8
(30.6)
5.7
(42.3)
9.6
(49.3)
16.5
(61.7)
15.1
(59.2)
8.0
(46.4)
2.4
(36.3)
−2.7
(27.1)
−4.8
(23.4)
−8.8
(16.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 71.5
(2.81)
97.3
(3.83)
133.9
(5.27)
141.1
(5.56)
169.1
(6.66)
473.7
(18.65)
395.2
(15.56)
190.0
(7.48)
201.7
(7.94)
103.0
(4.06)
94.7
(3.73)
74.6
(2.94)
2,145.6
(84.47)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 8.2 9.2 11.6 10.5 10.1 15.5 13.5 11.4 10.3 7.7 8.3 8.6 124.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 118.5 130.5 155.8 174.6 182.4 119.9 169.3 195.8 161.5 167.4 138.4 124.4 1,844.7
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][2]

Demographics edit

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kōsa in 2020 is 10,132 people.[4] Kōsa has been conducting censuses since 1920.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 13,880—    
1925 14,629+5.4%
1930 15,457+5.7%
1935 15,630+1.1%
1940 15,314−2.0%
1945 19,517+27.4%
1950 19,915+2.0%
1955 18,610−6.6%
1960 16,765−9.9%
1965 14,975−10.7%
1970 13,620−9.0%
1975 13,160−3.4%
1980 12,989−1.3%
1985 12,864−1.0%
1990 12,459−3.1%
1995 12,372−0.7%
2000 12,012−2.9%
2005 11,604−3.4%
2010 11,180−3.7%
2015 10,717−4.1%
2020 10,132−5.5%
Kōsa population statistics[4]

Sports edit

Since its inception in 1983, the Kumamoto Kōsa 10-Miler road race has seen several top rated achievements being set during the event, which is ran in December. The most recent new world record for the 10 miles was set in December 2022 by Bernard Koech.

References edit

  1. ^ "Official website of Kōsa Town" (in Japanese). Japan: Kōsa Town. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  3. ^ a b 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Kōsa population statistics

External links edit