Yanagawa 柳川市 | |
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 Canal in Yanagawa, and as known for sightseeing spot in Kyushu | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture | |
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  Yanagawa Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates:33°09′47″N130°24′21″E / 33.16306°N 130.40583°E /33.16306; 130.40583 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyushu |
| Prefecture | Fukuoka |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Kenji Kaneko (since April 2009) |
| Area | |
• Total | 77.15 km2 (29.79 sq mi) |
| Population (January 31, 2024) | |
• Total | 62,268 |
| • Density | 810/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | Honmachi 87-1, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka-ken 832-8601 |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Flower | Wisteria,Iris |
| Tree | Willow |
Yanagawa (柳川市,Yanagawa-shi) is acity located inFukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2024[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 62,268 in 26426 households, and apopulation density of 810 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 77.15 km2 (29.79 sq mi).
Yanagawa is located in the southwestern part of the Chikugo region in the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, approximately 100 kilometers south-southwest of Kitakyushu City, approximately 50 kilometers south of Fukuoka City, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Kurume City. The city is in the shape of a rhombus or diamond, measuring 12 kilometers from north-to-south and 11 kilometers from east-to-west, Almost all of the city is in the flatlands of the Chikushi Plain, with the northeastern two-thirds of the city consisting of alluvial plains and the southwest one-third consisting ofreclaimed land. The reclaimed land was gradually developed from the Edo period into the modern era, so the reclamation embankments and villages along the embankments from each era are lined up parallel to the coastline of theAriake Sea.
Yanagawa has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Yanagawa is 16.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1946 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.0 °C.[2]
Per Japanese census data, the population of Yanagawa is as shown below
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 67,416 | — |
| 1950 | 83,512 | +23.9% |
| 1960 | 86,888 | +4.0% |
| 1970 | 82,263 | −5.3% |
| 1980 | 82,185 | −0.1% |
| 1990 | 80,531 | −2.0% |
| 2000 | 77,612 | −3.6% |
| 2010 | 71,388 | −8.0% |
| 2020 | 64,475 | −9.7% |
The area of Yanagawa was part of ancientChikugo Province.Yayoi pottery dating back approximately 2,000 years ago was excavated in the Kamachi area on the outskirts of Yanagawa, and it is estimated thatrice cultivation began in this area around that time. During theHeian period, Yanagawa was a stronghold of the Tachibana clan againstFujiwara no Sumitomo's Revolt. Yanagawa was reborn as acastle town of the Kamachi clan during theSengoku period during the 16th century, and became the castle town ofYanagawa Domain under theTachibana clan during theEdo period. After theMeiji restoration, the town of Yanagawa (柳河町) was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On April 1, 1951Yanagawa annexed the neighboring villages of Higashimiyaga, Nishinomiyaga, Jonai, Okibata, and Ryokai and changed thekanji of its name to "柳川町". Yanagawa was raised to city status on April 1, 1952.
On March 21, 2005 the towns ofYamato andMitsuhashi (both fromYamato District) were merged into Yanagawa.
Yanagawa has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city council of 19 members. Yanagawa contributes one member to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of theFukuoka 7th district of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Yanagawa has a mixed economy, with agriculture andcommercial fishing, as well as manufacturing centering on semiconductors and woodworking. There is also a thriving tourism industry.
Yanagawa has 19 public elementary schools and six public junior high schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education. There are also two private high schools, and Fukuoka Prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
Yanagawa is popular with Japanese tourists because of its 470 km of widecanals (930 km inclusive of all watercourses). Yanagawa riverboats, called "donkobune", are used to take tourists around the city. In 1987 a video documentary was created byStudio Ghibli about these canals and their restoration.The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (柳川掘割物語,Yanagawa horiwari monogatari) is widely available and includes English subtitles.
Yanagawa is the birthplace ofKitahara Hakushu, aMeiji era poet and writer of children's songs. An annual three-day festival is held every November in Yanagawa complete with poetry readings, fireworks, music, and a great number of evening boat rides. During this festival, most activities begin from Shimohyaku Town and center at the Hiyoshi Shinto Shrine. In addition, Hakushu's birth house is located in Yanagawa and open to the public for tours. The Yanagawa Municipal Folk Museum is mainly dedicated to preservation of Hakushu-sensei's works and memorabilia.
During the months of March and April, Yanagawa also plays host to a number of festivals, most notablyHinamatsuri or Girls' Festival on March 3. A great number of finely craftedHeian era styled dolls are placed on display in a number of private homes, shops, and businesses throughout the city. During this time, a number of local citizens actually open up their homes to the public, allowing people to come and see their elaborate decorations and displays.
Media related toYanagawa, Fukuoka at Wikimedia Commons| Fukuoka |
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