Uto (宇土市, Uto-shi) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2024[update], the city had an estimated population of 36,149 in 16127 households, and a population density of 490 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 74.30 km2 (28.69 sq mi).
Uto
宇土市 | |
|---|---|
 Uto City Hall | |
 Flag  Emblem | |
 Location of Uto in Kumamoto Prefecture | |
 | |
  Uto Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 32°41′17″N 130°39′35″E / 32.68806°N 130.65972°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyushu |
| Prefecture | Kumamoto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 74.30 km2 (28.69 sq mi) |
| Population (August 31, 2024) | |
| • Total | 36,149 |
| • Density | 490/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | 51 Uratacho, Uto-shi, Kumamoto-ken 869-0492 |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Warbling white-eye |
| Flower | Hydrangea macrophylla |
| Tree | Osmanthus fragrans |
Geography
editUto occupies the northern half of the Uto Peninsula and is bordered on the northwest by the Ariake Sea.
Neighboring municipalities
editKumamoto Prefecture
Climate
editUto has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Uto is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2128 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.5 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data, the population of Uto is as shown below
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 33,412 | — |
| 1960 | 33,057 | −1.1% |
| 1970 | 31,327 | −5.2% |
| 1980 | 32,954 | +5.2% |
| 1990 | 33,390 | +1.3% |
| 2000 | 37,255 | +11.6% |
| 2010 | 37,727 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 36,122 | −4.3% |
History
editThe area of Uto was part of ancient Higo Province, During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Uto was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Uto annexed the neighboring village of Hanazono, Todoroki, Midorikawa, Amizu and Hashiragata in 1954. On October 1, 1958 Uto merged with the village Amida and was raised to city status.
Government
editUto has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Uto contributes one member to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
edit- Agriculture - Fruit cultivation is popular, taking advantage of the warm climate. Navel oranges, dekopon, and Andean melons are local specialties.
- Fisheries - Nori farming is popular in the Ariake Sea. Asari clams are also a local speciality.
- Manufacturing - In addition to the food processing industry, there are also chemical and steel industries.
- Papier-mache is a traditional craft that is a local specialty.
Education
editUto has seven public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
editRailways
edit.svg){kind=logo}
JR Kyushu - Kagoshima Main Line
- ■ - Uto - Midorikawa - Sumiyoshi - Higo-Nagahama - Ōda - Akase
- ■ - Uto
Highways
edit
Local attractions
edit- Uki Castle ruins, National Historic Site
- Todoroki Shell Mound, National Historic Site
Notable people of Uto
edit- Shiranui Dakuemon, retired sumo wrestler, 8th yokozuna
- Hamanoshima Keishi, retired sumo wrestler, komusubi
- Shōdai Naoya, sumo wrestler, ōzeki
- Naomichi Ueda, Footballer
References
edit- ^ "Uto City official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ Uto climate: Average Temperature, weather by month
External links
edit
Media related to Uto, Kumamoto at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (in Japanese)
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