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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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{{Infobox settlement
{{Refimprove|date=August 2008}}
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
{{dablink|This article is about the town in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. For other places with this name, see [[Shirakawa]].}}
| name = Shirakawa

| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|白河市}}}}
{{Infobox City Japan
| official_name =
|Name= Shirakawa City
| native_name_lang = ja
|JapaneseName= 白河市
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
|MapImage=Map Shirakawa, Fukushima en.png
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
|Region= [[Tōhoku Region|Tōhoku]]
| image_skyline = Shirakawa city hall.JPG
|Prefecture= [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
| imagesize =
|District=
| image_alt =
|Area_km2=117.67
| image_caption = Shirakawa City Hall
|Population= 65,707
| image_flag = Flag of Shirakawa, Fukushima.svg
|PopDate= 2005
| flag_alt =
|Density_km2= 215.2
| image_seal = Emblem of Shirakawa, Fukushima.svg
|Coords=
| seal_alt =
|LatitudeDegrees= 37
| image_shield =
|LatitudeMinutes= 7
| shield_alt =
|LatitudeSeconds=
| image_blank_emblem =
|LongtitudeDegrees= 140
| nickname =
|LongtitudeMinutes= 12
| motto =
|LongtitudeSeconds=
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
|Tree= [[Japanese Red Pine]]
| image_map = Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture Ja.svg
|Flower= [[Ume]]
| map_alt =
|Bird= ''[[Meadow Bunting|Emberiza cioides]]''
| map_caption = Location of Shirakawa in Fukushima Prefecture
|SymbolImage=
| pushpin_map = Japan
|SymbolDescription=
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|Mayor=Hideo Narui
| pushpin_map_alt =
|CityHallPostalCode=961-0941
| pushpin_map_caption = &nbsp;
|CityHallAddress= 7-1 Hachimankōji, Shirakawa, Fukushima
| coordinates = {{coord|37|07|34.7|N|140|12|39.3|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
|CityHallPhone=0248-22-1111
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
|CityHallLink= [http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp Shirakawa City]
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
<!-- established -->
| established_title = First official recorded
| established_date = 315 AD
| established_title2 = Town settled
| established_date2 = April 1. 1889
| established_title3 = City settled
| established_date3 = April 1, 1949
| founder =
| named_for =
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[:ja:鈴木和夫　(白河市長)|Kazuo Suzuki]] (from July 2007)
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
<!-- display settings -->
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref = <!-- enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric -->
<!-- area -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 305.32
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m =
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 59393
| population_as_of = April 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = <!-- demonym, ie. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_info_sec1 = 0248-22-1111
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = 7-1 Hachimankōji, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0941
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp/}}
| 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 nanko.jpg|thumb|Nanko Park in Shirakawa]]


{{nihongo|'''Shirakawa'''|白河市|Shirakawa-shi}} is a city in [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]], [[Japan]]. It is located in the southern portion of the prefecture.
{{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==
The 2003 estimated [[population]] was 48,297 and the [[population density|density]] in that year was 410.44 persons per km². The total area was 117.67 km². However, on November 7, 2005, after merging neighboring villages into its territory (see ''History'' section below), the population increased to approximately 66,000.
Shirakawa is located in south-central Fukushima prefecture facing the Nasu plateau, and extending to the lowland Shirakawa Basin.
*Rivers: [[Abukuma River]]

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

===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&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>

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Shirakawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1940−present)
|Jan record high C = 17.1
|Feb record high C = 19.9
|Mar record high C = 23.5
|Apr record high C = 28.9
|May record high C = 32.9
|Jun record high C = 34.1
|Jul record high C = 36.0
|Aug record high C = 36.9
|Sep record high C = 33.5
|Oct record high C = 28.7
|Nov record high C = 22.7
|Dec record high C = 20.7
|Jan record low C = -13.4
|Feb record low C = -13.6
|Mar record low C = -12.3
|Apr record low C = -6.0
|May record low C = -2.3
|Jun record low C = 5.1
|Jul record low C = 7.2
|Aug record low C = 11.1
|Sep record low C = 3.9
|Oct record low C = -2.5
|Nov record low C = -6.8
|Dec record low C = -12.4
|Jan high C = 5.0
|Feb high C = 6.0
|Mar high C = 9.8
|Apr high C = 15.9
|May high C = 21.1
|Jun high C = 24.0
|Jul high C = 27.4
|Aug high C = 28.7
|Sep high C = 24.5
|Oct high C = 18.9
|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
|Jan precipitation mm = 44.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 34.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 78.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 101.7
|May precipitation mm = 122.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 149.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 233.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 206.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 211.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 166.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 66.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.7
|year precipitation mm = 1456.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 5.3
|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
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 1
|Dec snow cm = 12
|year snow cm = 90
|unit snow days = 1 cm
|Jan snow days = 8.2
|Feb snow days = 6.0
|Mar snow days = 3.6
|Apr snow days = 0.5
|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
|Sep humidity = 82
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 74
|Dec humidity = 70
|Jan sun = 151.4
|Feb sun = 156.1
|Mar sun = 179.9
|Apr sun = 182.8
|May sun = 182.0
|Jun sun = 130.5
|Jul sun = 120.9
|Aug sun = 142.1
|Sep sun = 119.3
|Oct sun = 134.0
|Nov sun = 145.7
|Dec sun = 146.8
|year sun = 1790.7
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| 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
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| 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
}}
{{Japan prefectures population
|code=07205
|name=Shirakawa
}}


==History==
==History==
[[File:Shirakawa Komine Castle 20100625-01.jpg|right|270px|thumb| View of Komine Castle in Shirakawa]]
Shirakawa was formerly known as the gateway to the old [[Mutsu Province]] of Japan. Up to the [[Edo period]] it had prospered under the control of the Shirakawa clan as a [[castle town]]. In the [[Heian period]], [[monk]] and [[waka (poetry)|waka poet]] [[Nōin]] composed the following short 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 [[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]].
During the [[Meiji Period]] in 1889, the area was classified as the [[town]] of Shirakawa. On April 1, 1949, Shirakawa was made a city 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 neighbouring villages of [[Taishin, Fukushima|Taishin]], [[Higashi, Fukushima|Higashi]], and the remainder of Omotegō were incorporated into Shirakawa.
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}}.


==City services==
==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]].
Shirakawa has four [[high school]]s, eight [[junior high school]]s and fifteen [[elementary school]]s.


==Economy==
There are also nineteen [[Japan Post|post offices]] (including minor ones) 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 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.

==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 [[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==
===Rail===
===Railway===
*[[File:JR logo (east).svg|22px]][[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] - [[Tōhoku Main Line]]
The city can be easily reached via {{ja-stalink|Shirasaka}}, {{ja-stalink|Shirakawa}}, and {{ja-stalink|Kutano}} stations on the [[Tōhoku Main Line]]. [[Shin-Shirakawa Station]], located in the neighbouring village of [[Nishigō, Fukushima|Nishigō]], is also on the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]] and provides fast access to [[Tokyo]].
** {{STN|Shirasaka}} – ([[Shin-Shirakawa Station|Shin-Shirakawa]]) – {{STN|Shirakawa}} - {{STN|Kutano}}


===Road===
===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E4}} – Shirakawa-chūō Interchange – Abukuma Parking Area
Shirakawa can be accessed by the nearby [[Tohoku Expressway]] and National Routes [[Route 289 (Japan)|289]] and [[Route 294 (Japan)|294]].
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|4}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|289}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|294}}


==Claims to fame==
==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>
Residents point to the local variety of [[ramen]] as the town's main claim to fame. The main attractions of the town, aside from the restaurants, include {{nihongo|[[Komine Castle]]|小峰城|Kominejō, literally "Small Peak Castle"}} and Nankō ("South Lake") Park.
*[[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>
*[[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>
*[[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>
*[[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>
*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==
Festivals held in Shirakawa include "Daruma Ichi", a festival celebrating the traditional "Daruma" doll, wherein the cty 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.
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Compiègne]], France, since October 20, 1988
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Anoka, Minnesota]], United States, since October 13, 2002


==Noted people from Shirakawa==
==Twinned cities==
*[[Atsushi Fujita]], Olympic marathon runner
*[[Compiègne]], [[Oise]], [[France]], since 1988
*[[Toshiaki Fushimi]], Olympic cyclist
*[[Koji Igarashi]], longtime ''[[Castlevania]]'' series producer and creator of ''[[Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night]]''
*[[Hideo Madarame]], Olympic cyclist
*[[Nakayama Gishu|Gishu Nakayama]], writer


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Shirakawa}}
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Shirakawa Shirakawa Wikitravel information] {{en icon}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.shirakawa.ne.jp Shirakawa website] {{ja icon}}
* [http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp/cgi-bin/odb-get.exe?wit_template=AM040001 Shirakawa website] {{ja icon}}
*{{Official|1=http://www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}


{{fukushima}}
{{Fukushima}}
{{Authority control}}


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

[[roa-rup:Shirakawa]]
[[de:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[es:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[fa:شیراکاوا، فوکوشیما]]
[[fr:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[gl:Shirakawa, Fukushima]]
[[ko:시라카와 시]]
[[it:Shirakawa]]
[[nl:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[ja:白河市]]
[[pl:Shirakawa (miasto)]]
[[pt:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[ro:Shirakawa, Fukushima]]
[[ru:Сиракава (Фукусима)]]
[[fi:Shirakawa (Fukushima)]]
[[tl:Shirakawa, Fukushima]]
[[tg:Ширакава]]
[[uk:Сіракава (Фукусіма)]]
[[vi:Shirakawa, Fukushima]]
[[war:Shirakawa, Fukushima]]
[[zh:白河市]]

Latest revision as of 13:29, 12 November 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

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

Neighboring municipalities

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Climate

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Transportation

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Railway

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Highway

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Local attractions

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International relations

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Noted people from Shirakawa

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References

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  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.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Shirakawa.
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