Shin-Kamigotō
Shin-Kamigotō is a town located in Minami-Matsuura District, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan,encompassing the islands of Nakadori, Wakamatsu and other surrounding islands.It was the headquarters of the Aokata Family, part of the Matsuura clan, who recorded the "Aokata Documents".
History
The town was established on August 1, 2004 after the merger of the towns of Arikawa, Kamigotō, Narao, Shin-Uonome and Wakamatsu, all from Minami-Matsuura District. Following this merger, it became the only municipality in the Minami-Matsuura District.Location
Shin-Kamigotō occupies the two main islands of Nakadōri and Wakamatsu, which are connected by the Oohashi via the small, unpopulated islet of Kaminakajima, as well as several smaller islands, including the populated islands of Arifuku, Hinoshima, Ryōzegaura, Kashiragashima, and Kirinoko.Wakamatsu Island is connected at its northwestern extremity to Ryōzegaura Island by the Ryōzegaura Bridge, and Ryōzegaura Island is further linked with the islands of Arifuku and Hinoshima by breakwaters that allow traffic of automobiles.
Kashiragashima Oohashi connects the eastern end of the main island of Nakadōri with Kashiragashima, on which the famous Kashiragashima Church and the defunct Kamigotō Airport are located.
Etymology
The islands that comprise the territory of Shin-Kamigotō Town form the northeastern half of the Gotō Islands archipelago, which is the origin of the name Kamigotō, in which Gotō is the name of the entire archipelago, and Kami- refers to the fact that this half of the archipelago is located closer to the Japanese capital relative to the southwestern half.The prefix Shin- at the beginning of the town's name means "new," so its full name may be translated literally to English as "New Upper Five Islands Town," though the name may be interpreted to refer to the town as a new and expanded version of the former Kamigotō Town, which was centered on the port of Aokata on the western side of the middle of Nakadōri Island.
Climate
Shin-Kamigotō has the typical humid subtropical climate of Kyūshū, characterized by mild winters and long, hot, and humid summers. The average annual temperature in Shin-Kamigotō is. The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around. Its record high is, reached on 21 August 2013, and its record low is, reached on 23 January 1981.Population
As of December 1, 2025, the town has an estimated population of 15,250 and a density of 71.3 persons per km2. The total area is 214.00 km2.| Population distribution by age | Population distribution by gender |
Changes in population
Approximately 25% of the island's population identifies as Christian.| Year | Population |
| 1970 | 46,762 |
| 1975 | 40,867 |
| 1980 | 38,140 |
| 1985 | 36,005 |
| 1990 | 32,123 |
| 1995 | 29,845 |
| 2000 | 27,559 |
| 2005 | 25,039 |
| 2010 | 22,074 |
| 2015 | 19,718 |
| 2020 | 17,503 |
History
In the Middle Ages, this area was ruled by the Aokata Clan, which was part of an alliance of samurai bands known as the Matsumuratō. This clan wrote the Aokata Bunsho, a record of the area's history from the Kamakura to Muromachi period.The town flourished during the Heian period as a trading hub with continental Asia during the Japanese missions to Tang China, during which it served as a port of call.
During the period of the oppression of Christians in Japan, the island served as a shelter for hidden Christians to continue practicing their faith in secret.
Timeline
1981- Kamigoto Airport opened in the former Arikawa Town.2006- Kamigoto Airport was closed.
2009- Passport services were transferred from Nagasaki Prefecture to Shinkamigoto Town. As a result, passport applications and
collections became available at the Shinkamigoto Town
Hall
Place Names
The suffix "郷" attached to each place name refers to a traditional designation. Shinkamigoto Town's place names follow those of the former towns, and most areas retain the same names from before the large municipal mergers in the Showa era. However, both Arikawa Town and Wakamatsu Town had a place called "Kounoura-go". After the merger, to distinguish between the two, the former Arikawa Town area became "Higashi Kounoura-go", and the former Wakamatsu Town area became "Nishi Kounoura-go".In addition to the place names with "go" used in addresses, administrative divisions are also listed, showing the affiliation with respective community associations, which are used as administrative units.
Changes in administrative divisions
1871 – With the abolition of the feudal system, Fukue Prefecture was established, later merged into Nagasaki Prefecture.1878, October 28 – The implementation of the Municipal System Law in Nagasaki Prefecture led to the formation of Minamimatsuura District, including Fukue Village and 17 other villages.
1885 – Part of Wakamatsu Village was separated to form Hamano-ura Village.
1886 – Part of Uonome Village and part of Aokata Village were separated to form Kita-Uonome Village.
1889, April 1 – The village system was implemented, and the following villages in the present town area became independent:
Arikawa Village, Uonome Village, Kita-Uonome Village, Aokata Village, Hamano-ura Village, Narao Village, Wakamatsu Village, and Hinoshima Village.
1932, October 17 – Arikawa Village became Arikawa Town.
1941, April 1 – Aokata Village became Aokata Town.
1943, December 8 – Narao Village became Narao Town.
1956
June 1 – Aokata Town and Hamano-ura Village merged to form Kamigoto Town.
September 25 – Wakamatsu Village and Hinoshima Village merged to form Wakamatsu Town.
September 30 – Uonome Village and Kita-Uonome Village merged to form Shin-Uonome Town.
2004, August 1 – Arikawa Town, Kamigoto Town, Wakamatsu Town, Shin-Uonome Town, and Narao Town merged to form Shinkamigoto Town.
Town Government
Mayors:1st – Toshaki Inoue
2nd – Etsuo Egami
3rd – Nobuaki Ishida
Town Council :
Shinkamigoto Town Council has 16 seats.
Industries
Fishing – Pursued through various methods such as seine net fishing and fixed net fishing, targeting species like mackerel, sardines, squid, kibi-nago, flying fish, ribbonfish, and snapper.Agriculture – Includes processed goods like Goto udon noodles, "kankoro mochi", "mame youkan", camellia oil, and shochu.
Tourism – Features the Saikai National Park, a collection of churches, beaches, marine sports, and campgrounds.
In 2016, the town established the "Shinkamigoto Town Industry Support Center", which handles the promotion of local products outside the island.