Shimogō (下郷町, Shimogō-machi) is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020[update], the town had an estimated population of 5,517 in 2216 households[1] and a population density of 17 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 317.04 square kilometres (122.41 sq mi).
Shimogō
下郷町 | |
|---|---|
 Ouchi-juku in Shimogō | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Shimogōin Fukushima Prefecture | |
  Shimogō | |
| Coordinates: 37°15′20.3″N 139°52′19.8″E / 37.255639°N 139.872167°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Fukushima |
| District | Minamiaizu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 317.04 km2 (122.41 sq mi) |
| Population (April 2020) | |
| • Total | 5,517 |
| • Density | 17/km2 (45/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Symbols | |
| • Tree | Betula pendula |
| • Flower | Wisteria floribunda |
| • Bird | Japanese bush-warbler |
| • Fish | Iwana |
| Phone number | 0241-69-1122 |
| Address | 1000 Ōaza Shiosei, Shimogō-machi, Fukushima-ken 969-5345 |
| Website | Official website |
Geography edit
Shimogō is located in the mountainous southern portion of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, bordered Tochigi Prefecture to the south.
Neighboring municipalities edit
- Fukushima Prefecture
- Tochigi Prefecture
Climate edit
Shimogō has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Shimogō is 10.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1365 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.2 °C.[2]
Demographics edit
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Shimogō peaked in the 1950s and has declined steadily over the past 60 years. It now[vague] raises less tax than it did a century ago.[citation needed]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 9,854 | — |
| 1930 | 11,681 | +18.5% |
| 1940 | 12,304 | +5.3% |
| 1950 | 14,644 | +19.0% |
| 1960 | 14,234 | −2.8% |
| 1970 | 11,077 | −22.2% |
| 1980 | 10,025 | −9.5% |
| 1990 | 8,537 | −14.8% |
| 2000 | 7,579 | −11.2% |
| 2010 | 6,464 | −14.7% |
| 2020 | 5,264 | −18.6% |
History edit
The area of present-day Shimogō was part of ancient Mutsu Province and formed part of the holdings of Aizu Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it was organized as part of Minamiaizu District in Fukushima Prefecture. The village of Naraha was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1,1 889. It was raised to town status on November 20, 1946. Shimogō was established on April 1, 1955 by the merger of the town of Narahara with the neighboring villages of Ashida and Egawa.
Economy edit
The economy of Shimogō is based on agriculture and seasonal tourism.
Education edit
Shimogō has three public elementary schools and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town does not have a public high school.
- Shimogō City Shimogō Middle School
- Shimogō City Narahara Elementary School
- Shimogō City Asahida Elementary School
- Shimogō City Egawa Elementary School
Transportation edit
Railway edit
- Ashinomaki-Onsen-Minami - Yunokami-Onsen - Tō-no-Hetsuri - Yagoshima - Aizu-Shimogō - Furusato-Kōen - Yōson-Kōen
Highway edit
Local attractions edit
- Tō-no-Hetsuri rock formations, a National Natural Monument
- Ōuchi-juku, an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings
- Shimotsuke Kaidō, a National Historic Site
- Yunokami Onsen
References edit
External links edit
Media related to Shimogō, Fukushima at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website (in Japanese)