Ureshino, Saga

Ureshino (嬉野市) is a city located in the western part of Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 24,529 in 10075 households, and a population density of 190 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 126.41 km2.

Geography
Ureshino is located in southwestern Saga Prefecture, in a basin surrounded by relatively gentle mountains. Part of the eastern area belongs to the Shiroishi Plain.

Adjoining municipalities
Saga Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture
 * Kashima
 * Takeo
 * Shiroishi
 * Hasami
 * Higashisonogi
 * Kawatana
 * Ōmura

Climate
Ureshino has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ureshino is 15.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1864 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.9 °C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Ureshino is as shown below.

History
The area of Ureshino was part of ancient Hizen Province. During the Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of Saga Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the villages of Gochōda, Higashiureshino, Kuma, Nishiureshino, Shiota and Yoshida were established on April 1,1 889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Shiota was elevated to town status on October 5, 1918. Nishiureshino was elevated to town status on April 1, 1929 and renamed Ureshino. The town of Ureshino annexed Higashiureshino on April 1, 1933 and Yoshida on April 1, 1955, whereas Shiota annexed Gochōda and Kuma on September 1, 1956. The city of Ureshino was formed on January 1, 2006, by the merger of the towns of Ureshino, and Shiota (both from Fujitsu District).

Government
Ureshino has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Ureshino contributes one member to the Saga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Saga 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
Ureshino is locally known for the green tea grown there and its hot spring resorts.

Education
Ureshino has eight public elementary schools and four junior high schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Saga Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Prefectural senior high schools

 * Ureshino High School

Municipal junior high schools

 * Ōnohara Junior High School
 * Shiota Junior High School
 * Ureshino Junior High School
 * Yoshida Junior High School

Municipal elementary schools

 * Gochōda Elementary School
 * Kuma Elementary School
 * Ōkusano Elementary School
 * Ōnohara Elementary School
 * Shiota Elementary School
 * Todoroki Elementary School
 * Ureshino Elementary School
 * Yoshida Elementary School

Railway
JR Kyushu - Kyushu Shinkansen
 * Ureshino-Onsen

Highway

 * JP Expressway E34.svg Nagasaki Expressway (Ureshino Interchange)

Hizen Yume Kaidō


This amusement park is a reproduction of a town along the Nagasaki Kaidō, a major route which ran through the region in the 17th century during the Edo period. There are dramatic shows that include samurai, ninjas and princesses, shown on the weekends.

Ureshino Spa
The city boasts some of the region's best onsen, including Shibasansou, Taishoya, and Warakuen. There are currently over 40 spas in the area, both indoor and outdoor, ranging in size and water quality. Tourists may purchase a discount spa ticket from the local Tourist Information Office, located at the Ureshino Highway Interchange.

Ureshino Onsen Tofu
Onsen water is used to make this delightful local dish. The alkaline in the water makes the bean curd in the tofu soft and mellow when it is heated in ceramic pots. Onsen tofu is traditionally served with condiments such as green onion, ginger, and sesame paste to taste.

Ureshino green tea


Ureshino is an area surrounded by green tea fields, and is well known as one of the best green tea producers in Japan, as the method of tea production dates back to 1504, when it was first introduced from China during the Ming dynasty. This tradition has been carried on today in the delicate aroma and flavour of the tea.

January

 * Ureshino Onsen Health Road Race (嬉野温泉健康ロードレース大会)

February

 * Ureshino Attaka Festival (うれしのあったかまつり)

April

 * Ureshino Tea Mitto (うれしの茶ミット)
 * Oyama-san Festival (お山さんまつり)

August

 * Happy Carnival (うれしカーニバル)
 * Ureshino Onsen Summer Festival (嬉野温泉夏まつり)

November

 * Hachiman Shrine Festival (八幡宮例祭)
 * Tanjō Shrine Shiota Kunchi (丹生神社例祭塩田くんち)

December

 * Hachiten Shrine Grand Festival (八天神社例大祭)