Sosa, Chiba
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in northeastern Chiba Prefecture
, Japan
. As of February 2011, the town had an estimated population
of 38,764 and a population density
of 391 persons per km². The total area was 101.78 km².
on the southwest. The land is mostly flat, and much is from 40-50 meters above sea level in average elevation.
The northern section, a mixture of valleys, ports and rice fields, consists of a plateau made up of complicated terrain and features. The southern half consists of flat terrain facing Kujūkuri Beach
.
Through the center of the city runs both the Japan Railways (JR) Sōbu Main Line and Japan National Route 126, which run east-west. To the west of the center of Sosa is Japan National Route 296, which runs north-south.
between the former city of Yōkaichiba
and the former town of Nosaka
, from Sōsa District.
Source: Japan Statistics Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / National Census (translated)
Bus stops at the following areas:
Bus stops at the following areas:
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 northeastern Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, 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...
. As of February 2011, the town had 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 38,764 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 391 persons per km². The total area was 101.78 km².
Geography
Sōsa is located in far northeastern Chiba Prefecture. It is bordered to the north by the Pacific OceanPacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
on the southwest. The land is mostly flat, and much is from 40-50 meters above sea level in average elevation.
The northern section, a mixture of valleys, ports and rice fields, consists of a plateau made up of complicated terrain and features. The southern half consists of flat terrain facing Kujūkuri Beach
Kujukuri Beach
is a sandy beach located on the east coast of the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Lying within 60 km of Tokyo and being the second longest beach in Japan, it is a popular swimming and surfing destination for inhabitants of Greater Tokyo....
.
Through the center of the city runs both the Japan Railways (JR) Sōbu Main Line and Japan National Route 126, which run east-west. To the west of the center of Sosa is Japan National Route 296, which runs north-south.
Neighboring municipalities
- Asahi, ChibaAsahi, Chibais a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 69,000 and a population density of 531 persons per km². The total area was 129.91 km².-Geography:...
- Tako, ChibaTako, Chibais a town located in Katori District, Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the town had an estimated population of 15,902 and a population density of 219 persons per km². The total area was 72.68 km².-Geography:...
- Katori, ChibaKatori, Chibais a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 82,633 and a population density of 315 persons per km². The total area was 262.31 km²...
- Yokoshibahikari, ChibaYokoshibahikari, Chibais a town located in Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2010, the town had an estimated population of 24,913 and a population density of 372 persons per km². The total area was 66.91 km².-Geography:...
History
Sōsa was founded on January 23, 2006 as a result of the mergerMerger and dissolution of municipalities of Japan
Municipal mergers and dissolutions carried out in Japan can take place within one municipality or between multiple municipalities and are required to be based upon consensus.- Merger policy:...
between the former city of Yōkaichiba
Yokaichiba, Chiba
was a city located in northeastern Chiba Prefecture, Japan.Fukuoka Town was established on April 1, 1889 within Sōsa District, Chiba. It changed its name to Yōkaichiba on December 8, 1915. On March 31, 1954, the town expanded greatly through the annexation of the neighboring villages of Heiwa,...
and the former town of Nosaka
Nosaka, Chiba
was a town located in Sōsa District Chiba Prefecture, Japan.Noda and Sakae villages were established on April 1, 1889 within Sōsa District, Chiba. The two villages merged on July 17, 1954 to form Nosaka Town....
, from Sōsa District.
Developments, Events
- 1 June 1897 - Yōkaichiba StationYōkaichiba Stationis a railway station in Sōsa, Chiba, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company .-History:Yōkaichiba Station was opened on 1 June 1897 as a station on the Sōbu Railway for both passenger and freight operations. On 1 September 1907, the Sōbu Railway was nationalised, becoming part of the Japanese...
opened. - 9 October 1946 - Service on Narita Railway Tako Line was discontinued.
- 1 April 1970 - Japan National Route 296 was opened.
- 23 January 2006 - YōkaichibaYokaichiba, Chibawas a city located in northeastern Chiba Prefecture, Japan.Fukuoka Town was established on April 1, 1889 within Sōsa District, Chiba. It changed its name to Yōkaichiba on December 8, 1915. On March 31, 1954, the town expanded greatly through the annexation of the neighboring villages of Heiwa,...
City and Nosaka Town were merged to form Sosa City.
Population
| Sōsa City and National Population | Sōsa City Population |
|---|---|
| Distribution by Age (2005) | Distribution by Gender (2005) |
| = Sōsa City | = Male |
|---|---|
| = Japan (National) | = Female |
Census Statistics
| 1970 | 40,186 |
| 1975 | 40,559 |
| 1980 | 41,160 |
| 1985 | 42,226 |
| 1990 | 42,261 |
| 1995 | 43,357 |
| 2000 | 42,914 |
| 2005 | 42,086 |
| 2010 | 39,826 |
Source: Japan Statistics Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / National Census (translated)
Economy
Sōsa is a regional commercial center whose economy is primarily agricultural. Sōsa is well known for growing trees that are sold all over Japan.Shopping
- Cainz Home Super Center, Yōkaichiba (Includes Beisia supermarket)
- Ocean Mart 126 (shopping mall)
Financial Institutions
- Chiba Bank, Yōkaichiba Branch
- Chiba Industrial Bank, Yōkaichiba Branch
- Keiyo Bank, Yōkaichiba Branch
- Choshi Credit Union, Yōkaichiba Branch
High Schools
- Sōsa Prefectural Public High School, Chiba Prefecture
- Keiai University Yōkaichiba High School
Junior High Schools
- Yōkaichiba Public Junior High School No. 1
- Yōkaichiba Public Junior High School No. 2
- Nosaka Public Junior High School
Elementary Schools
- Heiwa Public Elementary School
- Chinkai Public Elementary School
- Yōkaichiba Public Elementary School
- Sosa Public Elementary School
- Toyosaka Public Elementary School
- Suka Public Elementary School
- Kyoko Public Elementary School
- Yoshida Public Elementary School
- Iidaka Public Elementary School
- Toyowa Public Elementary School
- Sakae Public Elementary School
- Noda Public Elementary School
Railway
- JR EastEast Japan Railway Companyis the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
Sōbu Main Line- -
Municipal Bus Routes
- Purple Line (to Toyosaka, Yoshida)
- Pink (to Idaka, Sosa)
- Orange (to Toyowa, Chinkai)
- Yellow (to Heiwa, Kyoko)
- Light Green (to Noda, Eastern-Suka)
- Light Blue (to Sakae, Western- Suka)
Yōkaichiba Bus Route (Tokyo Station - Sōsa City Hall)
Bus stops at the following areas:
- Tokyo Station (Departing from Tokyo StationTokyo Stationis a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
: YaesuYaesuis a neighborhood in Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, located north of Ginza, west of Nihonbashi and Kyōbashi, and adjacent to the east side of Tokyo Station. The Yaesu exit, which faces Nihonbashi, is recent and primarily provides access to the Shinkansen platforms.-History:...
Entrance, Arriving at Tokyo Station: NihonbashiNihonbashi, or Nihombashi, is a business district of Chūō, Tokyo, Japan which grew up around the bridge of the same name which has linked two sides of the Nihonbashi River at this site since the 17th century. The first wooden bridge was completed in 1603, and the current bridge made of stone dates from 1911...
Entrance) - Tomisato Bus Terminal
- Tomisato Nanae Square
- Radison Hotel
- Sanrizuka Park
- Jitaku (Residential) Entrance
- Kuko Hakubutsukan (Aviation Museum)
- Shiromasu
- Somei
- TakoTako, Chibais a town located in Katori District, Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the town had an estimated population of 15,902 and a population density of 219 persons per km². The total area was 72.68 km².-Geography:...
- Tako Michi no Eki (Road Station)
- Yoshida
- JR Bus- Yōkaichiba Branch
- JR Yōkaichiba StationYōkaichiba Stationis a railway station in Sōsa, Chiba, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company .-History:Yōkaichiba Station was opened on 1 June 1897 as a station on the Sōbu Railway for both passenger and freight operations. On 1 September 1907, the Sōbu Railway was nationalised, becoming part of the Japanese...
- Sōsa City Hall
Choshi-Chiba-Makuhari Route
Bus stops at the following areas:
- License (Menkyo) Center
- JR Kaihin-Makuhari StationKaihin-Makuhari Stationis a train station in Mihama-ku, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
- Chiba Minato Station (Monorail)
- Chiba Central Station (Keisei)
- JR Chiba StationChiba Stationis a railway station located in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.-JR East:*Sōbu Main Line**Chūō-Sōbu Line**Sōbu Line *Narita Line*Sotobō Line*Uchibō Line-History:The station opened on 20 July 1894.The present station building was built in 1963...
- Chuo 3 Chome (Central District 3)
- Matsuo-Yokoshiba IC (Highway Interchange)
- Matsuo
- Yokoshiba
- Iigura
- Yokaichiba
- Sosa City Hall
- JR Higata StationHigata Stationis a railway station in Asahi, Chiba, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It is located 98.8 rail kilometers from the western terminus of the Sōbu Main Line at Tokyo Station.-History:...
- Asahi
- Unakami
- Iioka Health and Welfare Center
- Iioka
- Kousoku Yagi
- Kousoku Obama
- Kousoku Misakicho
- Toshiba
- Jinyacho
Main Artery Roads
- Chiba Prefectural Road 16, Sawara – Yōkaichiba Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 30, Iioka – Ichinomiya Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 45, Yōkaichiba – Yachimata Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 48, Yōkaichiba – Nosaka Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 49, Yōkaichiba – Sakae Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 74, Tako – Sasamoto Line
General Roads
- Chiba Prefectural Road 104, Yokaichiba – Idono – Asahi Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 106, Yokaichiba – Sawara Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 109, Yokoshiba Depot – Yoshida Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 114, Yokaichiba – Yamada Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 122, Iioka – Katakai Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 149, Yōkaichiba – Fuma Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 212, Yōkaichiba Depot Line
- Chiba Prefectural Road 299, Heiwa – Kyoko Line
Choshi Renraku Road
- Currently the above road is not within city limits, but according to plans, the Yōkaichiba IC (Interchange) is planned for construction. The plan is to extend the road from Yokoshiba-Hikari IC area toward the city of Choshi.
Famous Places, Historic Spots, Sightseeing
- Oio Shrine
- Dates back to Emperor SujinEmperor Sujin; also known as Mimakiiribikoinie no Sumeramikoto or Hatsukunishirasu Sumeramikoto; was the tenth emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession....
Era, Year 7 (258 A.D.) - Iidaka Temple (known locally as “Iidaka Danrin (ato)”)
- Chōtoku Temple
- Chōfuku Temple (in Kawamukai area)
- Shingon-Chisan, Buddist Sect (Setsubun Buddist Mass is held every new year)
- Suka Eastern Orthodox Church
Exhibition, Community Areas
- Matsuyama Art Museum
- Fureai Koen (Park)- Yōkaichiba
- Formally named the “Municipal and Agricultural Exchange Terminal Community Park of Yōkaichiba”, Sosa City established and controls this institution for the promotion of activity in local industry with the intention of exchange between the municipal and the agricultural parts of the city.
- Horikawa-hama (Beach) Swimming Area
- At a shoreline of roughly 150m, this beach area's waves are calm compared to nearby Kujukuri BeachKujukuri Beachis a sandy beach located on the east coast of the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Lying within 60 km of Tokyo and being the second longest beach in Japan, it is a popular swimming and surfing destination for inhabitants of Greater Tokyo....
.
Festivals
- Odaka Hadaka Matsuri (early January)
- Jinkumi Lion Dance (every January)
- Yōkaichiba Bon Festival Dance
- (Yaegaki Shrine) Gion Festival (every August 4 & 5)
- Yokappe Festival (every October)
Noteworthy People from Sōsa
- Kan Kase (former member, Japanese National Diet)
- Takeo Chii (actor, local promoter)
- Nobuko Sakuma (actress, fashion model)
- Arekisanda Oryō (Comedian)
- Yumiko KobayashiYumiko Kobayashiis a Japanese voice actress. She is currently a freelance voice actor but until August 2007 was affiliated with Arts Vision.She and fellow Excel Saga voice actress Mikako Takahashi are known as the duo "The Excel Girls"...
(voice actress) - Shigeya Iijima (baseball player, Japan professional league)
- Masaru Uno (baseball player, Japan professional league)
- NichirōNichirōNichirō was a Buddhist disciple of Nichiren, the nephew of Nisshō.Nichirō agreed with Nisshō's defense of Nichiren as a Tendai reformer. He founded a practice hall that became part of Ikegami Honmon-ji, the site of Nichiren's death. His school is now part of Nichiren-shū.Nichirō designated nine...
(Buddhist prelate, Kamakura Era)
External links
- Sōsa official website in Japanese
- Photographic Web site of the former Nosaka Town, which was consolidated with Yokaichiba City in 2006 to form Sōsa City. This Web site was compiled by a foreign resident who lived in Nosaka from 1995–1998.