Saito, Miyazaki


Saito is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 28,538 in 13964 households, and a population density of 65 persons per km2. The total area of the city is.
WWW saito-city.jp

Geography

Saito is the 5th largest city in the Miyazaki prefecture. 70% of the city is mountainous, and the Hitotsuse River cuts through the city from northwest to southeast. Many other smaller streams cut through the valleys in Saito. Much of the city is covered by mountains and forest.
  • Mountains: Higuchi Yama, Soubugaku
  • Rivers: Hitotsuse gawa, Sakura Kawa
  • Lakes and Marshes: Komeryoujinzouko, Chigokeike
  • Dams: Hitotsuse Dam

Neighboring municipalities

Miyazaki Prefecture

Climate

Saito has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Saito is. The average annual rainfall is with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around. The highest temperature ever recorded in Saito was on 31 July 2013; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 27 February 1981.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Saito in 2020 is 28,610 people. Saito has been conducting censuses since 1920.

History

The area of Saito was part of ancient Hyūga Province. Per the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu's grandson Ninigi descended from the heavens to Mount Takachiho, and resided in what is now Saito. The area was densely populated in the Kofun period and has the largest accumulation of ancient burial mounds in Japan. During the Asuka and Nara periods, the Hyūga Provincial Capital and Hyūga Kokubun-ji were located in what is now the center of Saito City. During the Muromachi period the Ito clan ruled the area from their stronghold at Tonokōri Castle in the southern part of the city. During the Edo period, the area was largely divided between the holdings of Takanabe Domain and Sadowara Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the area was organized into villages within Koyu District, Miyazaki on May 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system.
YearMonth DayEvent
1924April 1Koyugunshimohokita Village became Shimohokita Town.
1924August 1Koyugunshimohokita Town became Tsuma Town
1952March 29Saitobaru Burial Mounds appointed a special historical place
1953July 22The Hibi line opened to traffic。
1958April 1Koyogun—Saito Town, Sanzai Village and Tonokori Village were abolished and replaced by Saito City.
1958September 1Saitobaru and Sugiyasu gorge were appointed as prefectural parks
1958November 1Koyugun—Saito Town became Saito City.
1962April 1Saito City,　Sanzai Village and Higashinishimera village amalgamated.
1963January 24A large fire on Heisuke Street damages 100 houses, injures 418 and kills 4 people.
1963June 4Kyūshū Electric Company's Hitotsuse plant completed.
1964October 27The Shimozuruusu Taiko Dance appeared in a folk art public performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
1966November 17The Fuudoki Hill Project began, a project to turn the Saitobaru Burial Mounds into a public park.
1971October 8The Shimozuruusu Taiko dance was appointed a national cultural asset
1979October 16The Emperor visited Saitobaru
1981March 10Ohae kagura was appointed a prefectural cultural asset
1984November 30National Railway's Tsuma line closes after 70 years in service, leaving neighbouring town Sadowara to the west as the closest station on the JR Railway.
1988July 1Sugiyasu River Nakashima Park Opened
1994November 28Mokuzo Yamaji Bishamonten appointed as a prefectural cultural asset
1995May 29Construction began on the Saito-Kiyotake link of the Eastern Kyūshū Motorway
1995JuneSaitobaru burial mounds selected to be part of a national large-scale project to preserve remains
1996November 1木喰上人造仏五体 appointed a prefectural cultural asset.
1998October 1Ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the city.
1998October 12Maintenance of the Saitobaru Burial mounds and surrounding area selected as part of the Ministry of Home Affairs Reading Project.
2000September 6The ruins of Tonokori Castle were appointed as a National Historical place.
2004April 2555th National Tree Planting ceremony held in Saito city.
2006November20th Saitobaru Kofun Festival takes place.

Translated from the Saito Homepage

Government

Saito has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Saito and the village of Nishimera collectively contribute one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The city's economy is centered on agriculture. The agricultural products of Saito include green peppers, cucumbers and sweet corn.

Education

Saito has eight public elementary schools, and six public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one five public high school operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railways

Saito does not have any passenger railway service since the discontinuation of the JNR Tsuma Line on December 1, 1984. The nearest stations are Sadowara Station Hyūga-Shintomi Station, and Takanabe Station, all of which are on the JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line, and all of which are approximately 30 minutes by car from the city center.

Highways

*

Local attractions

Festivals and traditions

Notable natives

Sister cities