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Coordinates: 37°07′34.7″N 140°12′39.3″E / 37.126306°N 140.210917°E / 37.126306; 140.210917
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{{Refimprove|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = {{raise|0.2em|Shirakawa}}
| name = Shirakawa
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|白河市}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|白河市}}}}
| official_name =
| official_name =
| native_name_lang = ja
| native_name_lang = ja
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| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Shirakawa City Hall
| image_caption = Shirakawa City Hall
| image_flag = Flag of Shirakwa Fukushima.JPG
| image_flag = Flag of Shirakawa, Fukushima.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Shirakawa Fukushima chapter.JPG
| image_seal = Emblem of Shirakawa, Fukushima.svg
| seal_alt =
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| image_shield =
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| image_map = Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture Ja.svg
| image_map = Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Shirakawa in [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| map_caption = Location of Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
| coordinates = {{coord|37|07|34.7|N|140|12|39.3|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| latd=37| latm=07| lats=34.7| latNS=N
| longd=140 | longm=12 | longs=39.3| longEW= E
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_display = inline,title
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
<!-- location -->
| coordinates_region = JP
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
<!-- established -->
<!-- established -->
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_title = First official recorded
| established_date =
| established_date = 315 AD
| established_title2 = Town settled
| established_date2 = April 1. 1889
| established_title3 = City settled
| established_date3 = April 1, 1949
| founder =
| founder =
| named_for =
| named_for =
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| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_party =
| leader_title = - Mayor
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_name = [[:ja:鈴木和夫　(白河市長)|Kazuo Suzuki]] (from July 2007)
| leader_title1 =
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
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| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 305.30
| area_total_km2 = 305.32
| area_land_km2 =
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
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<!-- population -->
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 62688
| population_total = 59393
| population_as_of = November 2014
| population_as_of = April 2020
| population_density_km2 = 205
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_as_of =
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| area_code =
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City Symbols
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank1_name_sec1 = - Tree
| blank_info_sec1 = 0248-22-1111
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Pinus densiflora]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = 7-1 Hachimankōji, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0941
| blank2_name_sec1 = - Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Ume]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = - Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Meadow Bunting|Emberiza cioides]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = - Fish
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = 0248-22-1111
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = 7-1 Hachimankōji, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0941
<!-- website, footnotes -->
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{URL|www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp}}
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = ''[[Pinus densiflora]]''
| flower = [[Ume]]
| bird = [[meadow bunting|''Emberiza cioides'']]
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
[[File:Shirakawa Komine Castle 20100625-01.jpg|right~270px|thumb| View of Komine Castle in Shirakawa]]
[[File:Shirakawa nanko.jpg|thumb|Nanko Park in Shirakawa]]
{{nihongo| '''Shirakawa'''|白河市|Shirakawa-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Fukushima Prefecture]], in northern [[Honshū]], [[Japan]]. As of November 2014, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 62,688 and a [[population density]] of 205 persons per km². The total area was {{convert|305.3|km2|1}}.

{{Nihongo| '''Shirakawa'''|白河市|Shirakawa-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Fukushima Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|04|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 59,393 in 23,546 households <ref>[http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp Shirakawa city official statistics]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 190 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city was {{convert|305.3|km2|1}}.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Shirakawa is located in southern Fukushima prefecture.
Shirakawa is located in south-central Fukushima prefecture facing the Nasu plateau, and extending to the lowland Shirakawa Basin.
*Rivers: [[Abukuma River]]
*Rivers: [[Abukuma River]]


===Neighboring municipalities===
===Neighboring municipalities===
* Fukushima Prefecture
* Fukushima Prefecture
** [[Nishigō, Fukushima|Nishigō]]
** [[Asakawa, Fukushima|Asakawa]]
** [[Ishikawa, Fukushima|Ishikawa]]
** [[Izumizaki, Fukushima|Izumizaki]]
** [[Izumizaki, Fukushima|Izumizaki]]
** [[Nakajima, Fukushima|Nakajima]]
** [[Nakajima, Fukushima|Nakajima]]
** [[Yabuki, Fukushima|Yabuki]]
** [[Nishigō, Fukushima|Nishigō]]
** [[Tanagura, Fukushima|Tanagura]]
** [[Tanagura, Fukushima|Tanagura]]
** [[Ishikawa, Fukushima|Ishikawa]]
** [[Asakawa, Fukushima|Asakawa]]
** [[Ten'ei, Fukushima|Ten'ei]]
** [[Ten'ei, Fukushima|Ten'ei]]
** [[Yabuki, Fukushima|Yabuki]]
*Tochigi Prefecture
*Tochigi Prefecture
** [[Nasu, Tochigi|Nasu]]
** [[Nasu, Tochigi|Nasu]]


==Climate==
===Climate===
Shirakawa has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from May to October.
Shirakawa has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Shirakawa is 11.4&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1377&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.0&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 0.3&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/5392/ Shirakawa climate data]</ref>


<div style="width:70%;">
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Shirakawa, Fukushima
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Shirakawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1940−present)
|Jan high C = 4.4
|Feb high C = 4.6
|Jan record high C = 17.1
|Mar high C = 8.2
|Feb record high C = 19.9
|Apr high C = 15.4
|Mar record high C = 23.5
|May high C = 20.5
|Apr record high C = 28.9
|Jun high C = 22.9
|May record high C = 32.9
|Jul high C = 26.3
|Jun record high C = 34.1
|Aug high C = 28.2
|Jul record high C = 36.0
|Sep high C = 23.3
|Aug record high C = 36.9
|Oct high C = 17.8
|Sep record high C = 33.5
|Nov high C = 12.7
|Oct record high C = 28.7
|Dec high C = 7.4
|Nov record high C = 22.7
|Jan mean C = -0.2
|Dec record high C = 20.7
|Feb mean C = 0.2
|Jan record low C = -13.4
|Mar mean C = 3.3
|Feb record low C = -13.6
|Apr mean C = 9.7
|Mar record low C = -12.3
|May mean C = 14.9
|Apr record low C = -6.0
|Jun mean C = 18.3
|May record low C = -2.3
|Jul mean C = 21.9
|Jun record low C = 5.1
|Aug mean C = 23.3
|Jul record low C = 7.2
|Sep mean C = 18.9
|Aug record low C = 11.1
|Oct mean C = 12.7
|Sep record low C = 3.9
|Nov mean C = 7.4
|Oct record low C = -2.5
|Dec mean C = 2.4
|Nov record low C = -6.8
|Jan low C = -4.4
|Dec record low C = -12.4
|Feb low C = -3.9
|Jan high C = 5.0
|Mar low C = -1.4
|Feb high C = 6.0
|Apr low C = 4.2
|Mar high C = 9.8
|May low C = 9.4
|Apr high C = 15.9
|Jun low C = 14.4
|May high C = 21.1
|Jul low C = 18.5
|Jun high C = 24.0
|Aug low C = 19.8
|Jul high C = 27.4
|Sep low C = 15.3
|Aug high C = 28.7
|Oct low C = 8.2
|Sep high C = 24.5
|Nov low C = 2.5
|Oct high C = 18.9
|Dec low C = -2.1
|Nov high C = 13.3
|Dec high C = 7.8
|Jan mean C = 0.6
|Feb mean C = 1.2
|Mar mean C = 4.5
|Apr mean C = 10.2
|May mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 19.1
|Jul mean C = 22.8
|Aug mean C = 23.7
|Sep mean C = 19.8
|Oct mean C = 14.0
|Nov mean C = 8.1
|Dec mean C = 3.1
|Jan low C = -3.3
|Feb low C = -3.0
|Mar low C = -0.3
|Apr low C = 4.7
|May low C = 10.3
|Jun low C = 15.0
|Jul low C = 19.3
|Aug low C = 20.2
|Sep low C = 16.2
|Oct low C = 9.9
|Nov low C = 3.4
|Dec low C = -1.0
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 29.0
|Jan precipitation mm = 44.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 43.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 34.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 67.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 78.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 99.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 101.7
|May precipitation mm = 112.6
|May precipitation mm = 122.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 177.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 149.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 162.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 233.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 200.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 206.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 191.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 211.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 116.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 166.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 63.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 66.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 33.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.7
|year precipitation mm = 1456.7
|Jan snow cm = 24
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Feb snow cm = 30
|Mar snow cm = 18
|Jan precipitation days = 5.3
|Apr snow cm = 3
|Feb precipitation days = 4.9
|Mar precipitation days = 8.5
|Apr precipitation days = 8.8
|May precipitation days = 10.6
|Jun precipitation days = 13.0
|Jul precipitation days = 15.5
|Aug precipitation days = 12.9
|Sep precipitation days = 12.4
|Oct precipitation days = 9.4
|Nov precipitation days = 6.3
|Dec precipitation days = 5.6
|Jan snow cm = 36
|Feb snow cm = 25
|Mar snow cm = 14
|Apr snow cm = 2
|May snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
Line 204: Line 240:
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 2
|Nov snow cm = 1
|Dec snow cm = 15
|Dec snow cm = 12
|Jan humidity = 68
|year snow cm = 90
|Feb humidity = 67
|unit snow days = 1 cm
|Mar humidity = 65
|Jan snow days = 8.2
|Apr humidity = 66
|Feb snow days = 6.0
|May humidity = 70
|Mar snow days = 3.6
|Jun humidity = 80
|Apr snow days = 0.5
|Jul humidity = 84
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0.2
|Dec snow days = 3.2
|humidity colour= green
|Jan humidity = 67
|Feb humidity = 64
|Mar humidity = 63
|Apr humidity = 64
|May humidity = 69
|Jun humidity = 78
|Jul humidity = 83
|Aug humidity = 82
|Aug humidity = 82
|Sep humidity = 82
|Sep humidity = 82
|Oct humidity = 77
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 73
|Nov humidity = 74
|Dec humidity = 70
|Dec humidity = 70
|Jan sun = 164.6
|Jan sun = 151.4
|Feb sun = 154.2
|Feb sun = 156.1
|Mar sun = 187.4
|Mar sun = 179.9
|Apr sun = 182.9
|Apr sun = 182.8
|May sun = 196.8
|May sun = 182.0
|Jun sun = 131.7
|Jun sun = 130.5
|Jul sun = 129.2
|Jul sun = 120.9
|Aug sun = 156.2
|Aug sun = 142.1
|Sep sun = 111.3
|Sep sun = 119.3
|Oct sun = 144.0
|Oct sun = 134.0
|Nov sun = 144.8
|Nov sun = 145.7
|Dec sun = 156.4
|Dec sun = 146.8
|year sun = 1790.7
|source 1 = NOAA (1961-1990) <ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/JP/47597.TXT
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=36&block_no=47597&year=&month=&day=&view=p1
|title = Shirakawa Climate Normals 1961-1990
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
|accessdate = December 30, 2012}}</ref>
| access-date = March 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=36&block_no=47597&year=&month=&day=&view=p1
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 3, 2022}}</ref>}}

==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/fukushima/ Shirakawa population statistics]</ref> the population of Shirakawa peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.
{{Historical populations
| 1950 | 65,543
| 1960 | 62,480
| 1970 | 58,896
| 1980 | 60,253
| 1990 | 63,839
| 2000 | 66,048
| 2010 | 64,704
| 2020 | 59,491
| align = none
}}
{{Population/Japan/Prefectures
|code=07205
|name=Shirakawa
}}
}}
</div>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Shirakawa Komine Castle 20100625-01.jpg|right|270px|thumb| View of Komine Castle in Shirakawa]]
The area of present-day Shirakawa was part of ancient [[Mutsu Province]] and was the location of a barrier gate on the [[Oshu kaido]] connecting the capital at [[Kyoto]] with the northern provinces. In the [[Heian period]], the Buddhist monk and [[waka (poetry)|waka poet]] [[Nōin]] composed the following poem about the region:
The area of present-day Shirakawa was part of ancient [[Mutsu Province]] and was the location of a [[Shirakawa Barrier|barrier gate]] on the [[Ōshū Kaidō]] connecting the capital at [[Kyoto]] with the northern provinces. In the [[Heian period]], the Buddhist monk and [[waka (poetry)|''waka'' poet]] [[Nōin]] composed the following poem about the region:


{{cquote|都をば霞とともに立ちしかど秋風ぞ吹く白河の関
{{cquote|都をば霞とともに立ちしかど秋風ぞ吹く白河の関
''Miyako wo ba kasumi to tomo ni tachishikado akikaze zo fuku Shirakawa no seki.''
''Miyako wo ba kasumi to tomo ni tachishikado akikaze zo fuku Shirakawa no seki.''


({{lang-en|I left the capital with the spring haze, but at the barrier of Shirakawa the autumn wind blows.}}
({{langx|en|I left the capital with the spring haze, but at the barrier of Shirakawa the autumn wind blows.}})
}}
}}


In the [[Edo period]] the area prospered as a [[castle town]] [[Shirakawa Domain]], and was the site of a major battle in the [[Aizu War]] during the [[Meiji restoration]]. In the [[Meiji period]], it was organized as part of [[Nakadōri]] region of [[Iwaki Province (1868)|Iwaki Province]].
In the [[Edo period]] the area prospered as a [[jōkamachi|castle town]] [[Shirakawa Domain]], and was the site of a major battle in the [[Boshin War]] during the [[Meiji restoration]]. In the [[Meiji period]], it was organized as part of [[Nakadōri]] region of [[Iwaki Province (1868)|Iwaki Province]].


The town of Shirakawa was formed on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system. On April 1, 1949, Shirakawa was elevated to city status after merging with the neighboring village of Ōnuma. Subsequent mergers occurred in 1954 and 1955 with the inclusion of the villages of Shirasaka, Odagawa, Goka and a portion of [[Omotegō, Fukushima|Omotegō]] into the territory of Shirakawa. On November 7, 2005, the villages of [[Taishin, Fukushima|Taishin]], [[Higashi, Fukushima|Higashi]], and the remainder of Omotegō (all from [[Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima|Nishishirakawa District]]) were merged into Shirakawa, increasing its population from 48,297 to approximately 66,000 and territory from {{convert|117.67|km²|2|abbr=on}} to {{convert|305.30|km²|2|abbr=on}}.
The town of Shirakawa was formed on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On April 1, 1949, Shirakawa was elevated to city status after merging with the neighboring village of Ōnuma. Subsequent mergers occurred in 1954 and 1955 with the inclusion of the villages of Shirasaka, Odagawa, Goka and a portion of [[Omotegō, Fukushima|Omotegō]] into the territory of Shirakawa. On November 7, 2005, the villages of [[Taishin, Fukushima|Taishin]], [[Higashi, Fukushima|Higashi]], and the remainder of Omotegō (all from [[Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima|Nishishirakawa District]]) were merged into Shirakawa, increasing its population from 48,297 to approximately 66,000 and territory from {{convert|117.67|km2|2|abbr=on}} to {{convert|305.30|km2|2|abbr=on}}.

==Government==
Shirakawa has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 26 members. Shirakawa, together with [[Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima|Nishishirakawa District]] contributes three members to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of [[Fukushima 3rd district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].


==Economy==
==Economy==
Shirakawa has a mixed economy, and is a major commercial center for the surrounding region. Principal industries include electrical appliances, construction materials and clothing.<ref name=Japan>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Allen |last2=Nobel |first2=David S |title=Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia |publisher=Kodansha |date=1993 |pages=1396 |isbn=406205938X}}</ref> The [[D+M Group]] has a plant where [[Marantz]] and [[Denon]] [[high fidelity]] components are produced.
Shirakawa has a mixed economy, and is a major commercial center for the surrounding region.


==Education==
==Education==
Shirakawa has four [[high school]]s, eight [[junior high school]]s, and fifteen [[elementary school]]s.
Shirakawa has fifteen public elementary schools and eight junior high schools operated by the city government and four public high schools operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education.


==Post offices==
==Post offices==
Shirakawa has nineteen [[Japan Post|post offices]] within the boundaries of the city.<ref>[http://www2.wagamachi-guide.com/japanpost/search/list.asp?fkncode=07&ctycode=07205&pn=&cd1=&cd2=&hn=&sv=&mode=4 List of Post Offices in Shirakawa] {{ja icon}}</ref>
Shirakawa has nineteen [[Japan Post|post offices]] within the boundaries of the city.<ref>[http://www2.wagamachi-guide.com/japanpost/search/list.asp?fkncode=07&ctycode=07205&pn=&cd1=&cd2=&hn=&sv=&mode=4 List of Post Offices in Shirakawa] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130205184633/http://www2.wagamachi-guide.com/japanpost/search/list.asp?fkncode=07&ctycode=07205&pn=&cd1=&cd2=&hn=&sv=&mode=4 |date=2013-02-05 }} {{in lang|ja}}</ref>


==Transportation==
==Transportation==

===Railway===
===Railway===
* [[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] – [[Tōhoku Main Line]]
*[[File:JR logo (east).svg|22px]][[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] - [[Tōhoku Main Line]]
** {{ja-stalink|Shirasaka}} – ([[Shin-Shirakawa Station|Shin-Shirakawa]]) – {{ja-stalink|Shirakawa}} - {{ja-stalink|Kutano}}
** {{STN|Shirasaka}} – ([[Shin-Shirakawa Station|Shin-Shirakawa]]) – {{STN|Shirakawa}} - {{STN|Kutano}}


===Highway===
===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E4}} – Shirakawa-chūō Interchange – Abukuma Parking Area
*[[Tōhoku Expressway]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|4}}
*[[Japan National Route 4]]
*[[Japan National Route 289]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|289}}
*[[Japan National Route 294]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|294}}


==Local attractions==
==Local attractions==
*Site of [[Shirakawa Barrier]] - National Historic Site <ref name="Bunka1">{{cite web |url= https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/162191 |title=白河関跡 |trans-title= Aizu-Shirakawa no seki ato|language=ja |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] }}</ref>
*Site of [[Shirakawa Barrier]] (National Historic Monument)
*[[Komine Castle]] – One of the 100 Castles of Japan<ref name= "Bunka2">{{cite web|url=https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/171511|title=小峰城跡 |work=Cultural Heritage Online|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|language=ja|access-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
*[[Komine Castle]] – One of the 100 Castles of Japan
*[[Nanko Park]] – National Historic Site and National Scenic Site <ref name="Bunka3">{{cite web |url= https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/137764 |title=南湖公園 |trans-title= Nanko Koen|language=ja |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] }}</ref>
*Site of Shirakawa Castle
*[[Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma Sites]] – [[kofun period]] [[kofun|burial tumulus]], National Historic Site<ref name="Bunka4">{{cite web |url= https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/140437 |title= 白河舟田・本沼遺跡群 ん|trans-title=Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma iseki gun|language=ja |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] }}</ref>
*[[Nanko Park]] – National Historic Monument and National Scenic Site
*[[Shirakawa Castle|Yūki-Shirakawa Castle]], National Historic Site <ref name="Bunka5">{{cite web |url= https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/273872 |title= 白川城跡 |trans-title=Shirakawa-jō ato|language=ja |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] }}</ref>
*Shirakawa Funada – Honnuma Site – [[kofun period]] [[kofun|burial tumulus]], National Historic Site

*Festivals held in Shirakawa include "Daruma Ichi", celebrating the traditional [[Daruma doll]], wherein the city streets are packed with stalls selling Daruma, a variety of festival foods and charms, and "[[Chōchin]] Matsuri" (Lantern Festival), which is held each summer, with a special three-day celebration held once every three years.
*Festivals held in Shirakawa include "Daruma Ichi", celebrating the traditional [[Daruma doll]], wherein the city streets are packed with stalls selling Daruma, a variety of festival foods and charms, and "[[Chōchin]] Matsuri" (Lantern Festival), which is held each summer, with a special three-day celebration held once every three years.


==International relations==
==International relations==
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Compiègne]], France, since October 20, 1988
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Compiègne]], France, since October 20, 1988
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Anoka, Minnesota]], United States, since October 13, 2002


==Noted people from Shirakawa==
==Noted people from Shirakawa==
*[[Atsushi Fujita]], Olympic marathon runner
*[[Nakayama Gishu|Gishu Nakayama]] – writer
*[[Atsushi Fujita]] - Olympic marathon runner
*[[Toshiaki Fushimi]], Olympic cyclist
*[[Koji Igarashi]], longtime ''[[Castlevania]]'' series producer and creator of ''[[Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night]]''
*[[Hideo Madarame]] – Olympic cyclist
*[[Toshiaki Fushimi]] – Olympic cyclist
*[[Hideo Madarame]], Olympic cyclist
*[[Nakayama Gishu|Gishu Nakayama]], writer


==References==
==References==
Line 294: Line 370:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Wikivoyage|Shirakawa}}
{{Wikivoyage|Shirakawa}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website| http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp}} {{ja icon}}
* [http://www.shirakawa.ne.jp Shirakawa website] {{ja icon}}
*{{Official|1=http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}


{{Fukushima}}
{{Fukushima}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Shirakawa, Fukushima| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Fukushima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Fukushima Prefecture]]

Revision as of 10:15, 26 October 2024

Shirakawa
白河市
City
Shirakawa City Hall
Shirakawa City Hall
Flag of Shirakawa
Flag
Official seal of Shirakawa
Seal
Location of Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture
Location of Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture
Shirakawa is located in Japan
Shirakawa
Shirakawa
 
Coordinates: 37°07′34.7″N 140°12′39.3″E / 37.126306°N 140.210917°E / 37.126306; 140.210917
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
First official recorded315 AD
Town settledApril 1. 1889
City settledApril 1, 1949
Government
 • MayorKazuo Suzuki (from July 2007)
Area
 • Total305.32 km2 (117.88 sq mi)
Population
 (April 2020)
 • Total59,393
 • Density190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0248-22-1111
Address7-1 Hachimankōji, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0941
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdEmberiza cioides
FlowerUme
TreePinus densiflora
Nanko Park in Shirakawa

Shirakawa (白河市, Shirakawa-shi) is a city located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020, the city had an estimated population of 59,393 in 23,546 households [1] and a population density of 190 persons per km2. The total area of the city was 305.3 square kilometres (117.9 sq mi).

Geography

Shirakawa is located in south-central Fukushima prefecture facing the Nasu plateau, and extending to the lowland Shirakawa Basin.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Shirakawa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Shirakawa is 11.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1377 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.3 °C.[2]

Climate data for Shirakawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1940−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.1
(62.8) 		19.9
(67.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		28.9
(84.0) 		32.9
(91.2) 		34.1
(93.4) 		36.0
(96.8) 		36.9
(98.4) 		33.5
(92.3) 		28.7
(83.7) 		22.7
(72.9) 		20.7
(69.3) 		36.9
(98.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0) 		6.0
(42.8) 		9.8
(49.6) 		15.9
(60.6) 		21.1
(70.0) 		24.0
(75.2) 		27.4
(81.3) 		28.7
(83.7) 		24.5
(76.1) 		18.9
(66.0) 		13.3
(55.9) 		7.8
(46.0) 		16.9
(62.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1) 		1.2
(34.2) 		4.5
(40.1) 		10.2
(50.4) 		15.5
(59.9) 		19.1
(66.4) 		22.8
(73.0) 		23.7
(74.7) 		19.8
(67.6) 		14.0
(57.2) 		8.1
(46.6) 		3.1
(37.6) 		11.9
(53.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		4.7
(40.5) 		10.3
(50.5) 		15.0
(59.0) 		19.3
(66.7) 		20.2
(68.4) 		16.2
(61.2) 		9.9
(49.8) 		3.4
(38.1) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		7.6
(45.7)
Record low °C (°F) −13.4
(7.9) 		−13.6
(7.5) 		−12.3
(9.9) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		5.1
(41.2) 		7.2
(45.0) 		11.1
(52.0) 		3.9
(39.0) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−12.4
(9.7) 		−13.6
(7.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44.1
(1.74) 		34.8
(1.37) 		78.9
(3.11) 		101.7
(4.00) 		122.6
(4.83) 		149.8
(5.90) 		233.2
(9.18) 		206.0
(8.11) 		211.4
(8.32) 		166.3
(6.55) 		66.3
(2.61) 		41.7
(1.64) 		1,456.7
(57.35)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 36
(14) 		25
(9.8) 		14
(5.5) 		2
(0.8) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4) 		12
(4.7) 		90
(35)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 5.3 4.9 8.5 8.8 10.6 13.0 15.5 12.9 12.4 9.4 6.3 5.6 113.2
Average snowy days (≥ 1 cm) 8.2 6.0 3.6 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 3.2 21.7
Average relative humidity (%) 67 64 63 64 69 78 83 82 82 78 74 70 73
Mean monthly sunshine hours 151.4 156.1 179.9 182.8 182.0 130.5 120.9 142.1 119.3 134.0 145.7 146.8 1,790.7
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][4]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Shirakawa peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950 65,543—    
1960 62,480−4.7%
1970 58,896−5.7%
1980 60,253+2.3%
1990 63,839+6.0%
2000 66,048+3.5%
2010 64,704−2.0%
2020 59,491−8.1%
Comparison of Population Distribution between Shirakawa and Japanese National Average Population Distribution by Age and Sex in Shirakawa
■Shirakawa
■Japan (average)
■Male
■Female
1970 58,896
1975 59,821
1980 60,253
1985 62,596
1990 63,839
1995 65,155
2000 66,048
2005 65,707
2010 64,710
2015 Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications - Statistics Department

History

View of Komine Castle in Shirakawa

The area of present-day Shirakawa was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was the location of a barrier gate on the Ōshū Kaidō connecting the capital at Kyoto with the northern provinces. In the Heian period, the Buddhist monk and waka poet Nōin composed the following poem about the region:

都をば霞とともに立ちしかど秋風ぞ吹く白河の関

Miyako wo ba kasumi to tomo ni tachishikado akikaze zo fuku Shirakawa no seki.

(English: I left the capital with the spring haze, but at the barrier of Shirakawa the autumn wind blows.)

In the Edo period the area prospered as a castle town Shirakawa Domain, and was the site of a major battle in the Boshin War during the Meiji restoration. In the Meiji period, it was organized as part of Nakadōri region of Iwaki Province.

The town of Shirakawa was formed on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On April 1, 1949, Shirakawa was elevated to city status after merging with the neighboring village of Ōnuma. Subsequent mergers occurred in 1954 and 1955 with the inclusion of the villages of Shirasaka, Odagawa, Goka and a portion of Omotegō into the territory of Shirakawa. On November 7, 2005, the villages of Taishin, Higashi, and the remainder of Omotegō (all from Nishishirakawa District) were merged into Shirakawa, increasing its population from 48,297 to approximately 66,000 and territory from 117.67 km2 (45.43 sq mi) to 305.30 km2 (117.88 sq mi).

Government

Shirakawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members. Shirakawa, together with Nishishirakawa District contributes three members to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Fukushima 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Shirakawa has a mixed economy, and is a major commercial center for the surrounding region. Principal industries include electrical appliances, construction materials and clothing.[6] The D+M Group has a plant where Marantz and Denon high fidelity components are produced.

Education

Shirakawa has fifteen public elementary schools and eight junior high schools operated by the city government and four public high schools operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education.

Post offices

Shirakawa has nineteen post offices within the boundaries of the city.[7]

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Local attractions

International relations

Noted people from Shirakawa

References

  1. ^ Shirakawa city official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. ^ Shirakawa climate data
  3. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Shirakawa population statistics
  6. ^ Campbell, Allen; Nobel, David S (1993). Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. p. 1396. ISBN 406205938X.
  7. ^ List of Post Offices in Shirakawa Archived 2013-02-05 at archive.today (in Japanese)
  8. ^ "白河関跡" [Aizu-Shirakawa no seki ato] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
  9. ^ "小峰城跡". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  10. ^ "南湖公園" [Nanko Koen] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
  11. ^ "白河舟田・本沼遺跡群 ん" [Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma iseki gun] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
  12. ^ "白川城跡" [Shirakawa-jō ato] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Shirakawa.
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