Soo, Kagoshima
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in North East part of Kagoshima
, Japan
. It is near Miyakonojo, Miyazaki
.
As of 2011 the city has an estimated population
of 38,647, with a population density
of 99 persons per km². This is down from the 2006 population data, which was an estimated population
of 43,752 and a population density
of 112 persons per km². The total area is 390.39 km². Soo is one of the many small cities in Japan that have a steadily decreasing population .
so it also receives ash from its volcanoes, most notably: Shinmoedake
and Sakurajima
. Soo is a land-locked city and is in middle of the Osumi Peninsula.
(Iwagawa), Sueyoshi
and Takarabe
, all from Soo District
.
(Northern Soo) that connect to trains going to Miyazaki Prefecture and to Kagoshima City.
.
, Soo is home to many narrow mountain roads and so has a high rate of traffic accidents. There is also a few bus routes through Soo. Due to the sparse public transport most people in Soo drive cars.
, Miyazaki
and Kagoshima City. From Iwagawa (Yogoro entrance) to Sueyoshi it is free. from Sueyoshi on it is a Toll Express Way
.
(a citronella). Oosumi is known for its chinese cabbage and watermelons. Soo City in general also raises black pork and beef which is the local delicacy. The high school in Takarabe is an agriculture school, reflecting the importance of the agriculture industry in the area.
Sueyoshi has 9 Elementary schools, 2 Junior High schools, and 1 High school.
Oosumi has 7 Elementary schools, 1 Junior High school, and 1 High school.
Takarabe has 4 Elementary schools, 3 Junior high schools, and 1 High school.
Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, small Jr High schools will be absorbed into the larger schools, resulting in all areas of Soo City having only one Jr High each (Oosumi already went through this process 4 years ago).
Currently the Elementary and Jr High schools in the areas of Oosumi and Sueyoshi are taught by ALT's (Assistant Language Teacher) hired through the JET Programme. All high schools in Soo City are visited by the same ALT from the JET Programme. Takarabe had also been using an ALT from the JET Programme for Elementary and Jr High schools, but due to several factors were unable to request another JET ALT in 2010. Since then they have been hiring a private ALT.
, and a visitors center. Also near the statue is Oosumi's Michi no Eki
where many locally grown foods and teas can be bought . In spring all of the cherry trees on the hill bloom and it is a popular spot to view them.
) dedicated to Yagoroudon. One in Soo (Oosumi), one in Nichinan, and one in Yamanokuchi (both in Miyazaki Prefecture).
The town has a smaller statue of Yagorou (just over 4 meters tall) that is pulled from the through town.
The mobile statue of Yagorou pulled through Oosumi is the second largest of the three Yagorou festivals. The largest is in Nichinan (just over 7 meters tall), and the smallest is in Yamanokuchi. It is said that there were 3 Yagoroudon brothers, hence the three different locations of festivals (one for each brother).
festival. Originally, a student from the local junior high school was selected three months prior to the festival. Then he trained to shoot arrows on horseback for the festival. In many cases he had never touched a horse before he was selected, let alone ridden a horse before. How many shots he made was supposed to show how good the harvest will be for the year.
For at least the past 4 years, however, two girls have been the riders/shooters for the festival. Starting when they were in Jr. High school, they practice riding and shooting a few months before the festival. A third girl, currently a 6th grade student, has been shooting at the past two festivals, and a 5th grade boy began riding, but not shooting, at last year's festival.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in North East part of Kagoshima
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
, 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 near Miyakonojo, Miyazaki
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
.
As of 2011 the city 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 38,647, with 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 99 persons per km². This is down from the 2006 population data, which was 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 43,752 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 112 persons per km². The total area is 390.39 km². Soo is one of the many small cities in Japan that have a steadily decreasing population .
Geography
Much of Soo is mountainous and covered with forest. It rains, but it rarely snows. Soo is located in KagoshimaKagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
so it also receives ash from its volcanoes, most notably: Shinmoedake
Shinmoedake
Shinmoedake is a volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyūshū, Japan, and a part of the Mount Kirishima cluster of volcanoes. It is believed to have formed between 7,300 and 25,000 years ago....
and Sakurajima
Sakurajima
, also romanized as Sakurashima or Sakura-jima, is an active composite volcano and a former island of the same name in Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyūshū, Japan...
. Soo is a land-locked city and is in middle of the Osumi Peninsula.
History
The city was founded on July 1, 2005 from the merger of the towns of ŌsumiOsumi, Kagoshima
was a town located in Soo District, Kagoshima, Japan.On July 1, 2005 Ōsumi was merged with the towns of Sueyoshi and Takarabe, all from Soo District, to form the new city of Soo and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
(Iwagawa), Sueyoshi
Sueyoshi, Kagoshima
was a town located in Soo District, Kagoshima, Japan.On July 1, 2005 Sueyoshi was merged with the towns of Ōsumi and Takarabe, all from Soo District, to form the new city of Soo and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
and Takarabe
Takarabe, Kagoshima
was a town located in Soo District, Kagoshima, Japan.On July 1, 2005 Takarabe was merged with the towns of Ōsumi and Sueyoshi, all from Soo District, to form the new city of Soo and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
, all from Soo District
Soo District, Kagoshima
is a district located in Kagoshima Prefecture. As of October 1, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 14,713 and a Density of 146 persons/km². The total area is 100.82 km². The district has one town*Ōsaki-History:...
.
Trains
All of Soo had a train system, but due to low use most of it was torn out and paved into a running path. There are three small un-manned train stations in TakarabeTakarabe, Kagoshima
was a town located in Soo District, Kagoshima, Japan.On July 1, 2005 Takarabe was merged with the towns of Ōsumi and Sueyoshi, all from Soo District, to form the new city of Soo and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
(Northern Soo) that connect to trains going to Miyazaki Prefecture and to Kagoshima City.
Buses
There is one bus that travels from Miyakonojo through Soo to Kanoya, and another one that travels to ShibushiShibushi
Shibushi can refer to:*Shibushi, Kagoshima, a city in Kagoshima, Japan*Shibushi, another name for the Bushi language...
.
Roads
Like many other places in Kagoshima PrefectureKagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
, Soo is home to many narrow mountain roads and so has a high rate of traffic accidents. There is also a few bus routes through Soo. Due to the sparse public transport most people in Soo drive cars.
Expressways
The Higashi Kyushu Expressway starts at Soo Yagoro in southern Soo. It connects all the way to Expressways in KumamotoKumamoto Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
, Miyazaki
Miyazaki, Miyazaki
is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Located on the coast and perforated by several rivers, Miyazaki City enjoys scenic views of both ocean and nearby, verdant mountains...
and Kagoshima City. From Iwagawa (Yogoro entrance) to Sueyoshi it is free. from Sueyoshi on it is a Toll Express Way
Expressways of Japan
The expressways of Japan make up a large network of freeway-standard toll roads.- History :Following World War II, Japan's economic revival led to a massive increase in personal automobile use...
.
Commerce
Sueyoshi is famous throughout Japan for producing YuzuYuzu
The yuzu is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda...
(a citronella). Oosumi is known for its chinese cabbage and watermelons. Soo City in general also raises black pork and beef which is the local delicacy. The high school in Takarabe is an agriculture school, reflecting the importance of the agriculture industry in the area.
Education
There are 20 Elementary schools, 6 Junior High schools, and 3 High schools in Soo City.Sueyoshi has 9 Elementary schools, 2 Junior High schools, and 1 High school.
Oosumi has 7 Elementary schools, 1 Junior High school, and 1 High school.
Takarabe has 4 Elementary schools, 3 Junior high schools, and 1 High school.
Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, small Jr High schools will be absorbed into the larger schools, resulting in all areas of Soo City having only one Jr High each (Oosumi already went through this process 4 years ago).
Currently the Elementary and Jr High schools in the areas of Oosumi and Sueyoshi are taught by ALT's (Assistant Language Teacher) hired through the JET Programme. All high schools in Soo City are visited by the same ALT from the JET Programme. Takarabe had also been using an ALT from the JET Programme for Elementary and Jr High schools, but due to several factors were unable to request another JET ALT in 2010. Since then they have been hiring a private ALT.
Recreation
There are many points of interest and Festivals that can be visited in Soo City.Yagorou Statue
In Iwagawa there is the Legend of Yagorou, which is represented by a very tall statue on a hill near the bypass on the way to Kanoya from Miyakonojo. Near the statue is a restaurant, an onsenOnsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
, and a visitors center. Also near the statue is Oosumi's Michi no Eki
Roadside Station
A is a government-designated rest area found along roads and highways in Japan.In addition to providing places for travelers to rest, they are also intended to promote local tourism and trade...
where many locally grown foods and teas can be bought . In spring all of the cherry trees on the hill bloom and it is a popular spot to view them.
Yagorou Festival
Every year on November 3rd there are 3 different festivals (MatsuriJapanese festivals
Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs....
) dedicated to Yagoroudon. One in Soo (Oosumi), one in Nichinan, and one in Yamanokuchi (both in Miyazaki Prefecture).
The town has a smaller statue of Yagorou (just over 4 meters tall) that is pulled from the through town.
The mobile statue of Yagorou pulled through Oosumi is the second largest of the three Yagorou festivals. The largest is in Nichinan (just over 7 meters tall), and the smallest is in Yamanokuchi. It is said that there were 3 Yagoroudon brothers, hence the three different locations of festivals (one for each brother).
Ookawara Gorge
has campsites and a little village where cabins can be rented. It is in Takarabe, and it hosts a waterfall called Kirihara Falls (桐原の滝 "Kirihara-no-taki") that is lit up at night. There are also many scenic ponds at the base of the waterfall with many places to picnic.Iwaya Buddha
One of the eight views of Kannon that can be seen in Soo (according to the sign at the trail head down to the Iwaya Buddha). It was carved hundreds of years ago and is reached by climbing down many stairs to a cliff face above a river.Mizo no Kuchi
is located in Takarabe and is a tunnel made long ago through erosion. it is 13.8 meters tall and 8.6 meters long.Festival
Every year on the Sunday closest to the Buddha's birthday (April 8th) the is held at the natural tunnel. At the festival school children dance through the tunnel in traditional costumes.Yabusame Festival
Every year on November 23rd at there is a YabusameYabusame
is a type of mounted archery in traditional Japanese archery. An archer on a running horse shoots three special "turnip-headed" arrows successively at three wooden targets....
festival. Originally, a student from the local junior high school was selected three months prior to the festival. Then he trained to shoot arrows on horseback for the festival. In many cases he had never touched a horse before he was selected, let alone ridden a horse before. How many shots he made was supposed to show how good the harvest will be for the year.
For at least the past 4 years, however, two girls have been the riders/shooters for the festival. Starting when they were in Jr. High school, they practice riding and shooting a few months before the festival. A third girl, currently a 6th grade student, has been shooting at the past two festivals, and a 5th grade boy began riding, but not shooting, at last year's festival.
Onioi Festival
In Sueyoshi in Soo every January 7th at there is an . Onioi is a festival or ceremony in which the demons are driven out in order to let good luck in.External links
in Japanese- Pamphlet about Soo City in Japanese