Sakawa, Kochi
Encyclopedia
is a town
located in Takaoka District
, Kōchi
, Japan
. It is 28km west of Kōchi City
.
As of February 29, 2008, Sakawa has an estimated population
of 14,606 and a population density
of 144.03 persons per km². The total area is 101.21 km².
town and surrounded by mountain
s on all sides. The landscape is hilly and the roads and footpaths are winding and narrow.
The tallest mountain in Sakawa is Mt. Kokuzo, standing at 675m tall. Many rivers also run through the town, which are tributaries of the Niyodogawa River.
Sakawa is also known for its noticeable temperature differences between day and night. Temperatures can dip as much as ten degrees once the sun goes down.
, Japanese pears
, tea leaves
, soybean
s, strawberries
, and many other crops are grown on family plots in town.
The town is also home to artisans who produce hand-made earthenware and woven bamboo products.
In 1987, 10,000-year-old evidence of human settlement was discovered in a region of town known as the Sakawa Basin. Since then, Sakawa has been named “Mecca of geology in Japan” because "some of the world’s rarest and most precious fossils have been unearthed" in Sakawa. The site is open for tours.
and currently employs two JET Assistant Language English Teacher
at the junior high schools and elementary schools in the central area (Sakawa) and the peripheral areas (Ogawa, Kuroiwa and Togano).
An Assistant Language English Teacher hired privately is employed at Sakawa Senior High School.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in Takaoka District
Takaoka District, Kochi
is a district located in Kōchi, Japan.As of the Shimanto merger but with 2003 population statistics, the district has an estimated population of 68,854 and a density of 45.1 persons per km²...
, Kōchi
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is 28km west of Kōchi City
Kochi, Kochi
is the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku island of Japan.Kōchi is the main city of the prefecture with over 40% of its population. As of May 31, 2008, the city had an estimated population of 340,515 and a density of...
.
As of February 29, 2008, Sakawa has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 14,606 and a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 144.03 persons per km². The total area is 101.21 km².
Geography
Sakawa is a valleyValley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
town and surrounded by mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
s on all sides. The landscape is hilly and the roads and footpaths are winding and narrow.
The tallest mountain in Sakawa is Mt. Kokuzo, standing at 675m tall. Many rivers also run through the town, which are tributaries of the Niyodogawa River.
Climate
Sakawa experiences extreme seasons. Spring and Fall are mild and cool. Summer is very warm and temperatures routinely reach 35°C with 100% humidity. The coldest months are January and February with temperatures around 10°C during the day. There are usually one or two light snowfalls in January. The rainy season is from June to August and typhoons are common during this time.Sakawa is also known for its noticeable temperature differences between day and night. Temperatures can dip as much as ten degrees once the sun goes down.
Agriculture
Many of the town's residents are farmers. RiceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, Japanese pears
Pyrus pyrifolia
Pyrus pyrifolia is a pear tree species native to China, Japan, and Korea. The tree's edible fruit is known by many names, including: Asian pear, Chinese pear, Korean pear, Japanese pear, Taiwan pear, and sand pear.....
, tea leaves
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
, soybean
Soybean
The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses...
s, strawberries
Garden Strawberry
The garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, is a hybrid species that is cultivated worldwide for its fruit, the strawberry. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness...
, and many other crops are grown on family plots in town.
Products
Sakawa is famous for the production of Tsukasabotan, a type of sake. There is a brewery in town that offers free tours and samples.The town is also home to artisans who produce hand-made earthenware and woven bamboo products.
Sites of Historical Interest
Sakawa is the home of the Old Seizan Library, the only Western-style wooden structure still standing in Kōchi Prefecture. Although no longer in use as a library (a new building houses all the historical texts,) the house remains open as a small museum and historical site.In 1987, 10,000-year-old evidence of human settlement was discovered in a region of town known as the Sakawa Basin. Since then, Sakawa has been named “Mecca of geology in Japan” because "some of the world’s rarest and most precious fossils have been unearthed" in Sakawa. The site is open for tours.
Assistant Language Teachers
The town participates in the JET ProgrammeJET Programme
or is a Japanese government initiative that brings college graduates—mostly native speakers of English—to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers and Sports Education Advisors in Japanese kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations in...
and currently employs two JET Assistant Language English Teacher
Assistant Language Teacher
Assistant Language Teacher is a term that was created by the Japanese Ministry of Education at the time of the creation of the JET Programme as a translation of the term 外国語指導助手 or literally "foreign language instruction assistant." The terms AET , ELT and NESA Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)...
at the junior high schools and elementary schools in the central area (Sakawa) and the peripheral areas (Ogawa, Kuroiwa and Togano).
An Assistant Language English Teacher hired privately is employed at Sakawa Senior High School.