Shiiba, Miyazaki
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Shiiba
椎葉村 | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 32°28′02″N 131°9′30″E / 32.46722°N 131.15833°E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kyushu |
Prefecture | Miyazaki |
District | Higashiusuki |
Area | |
• Total | 537.29 km2 (207.45 sq mi) |
Population (September 1, 2023) | |
• Total | 2,299 |
• Density | 4.3/km2 (11/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
City hall address | 1762-1 Shimofukura, Shiiba-son, Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki-ken 883-1601 |
Website | Official website |
Symbols | |
Bird | Copper pheasant |
Flower | Rhododendron |
Tree | Zanthoxylum piperitum |
Shiiba (椎葉村, Shiiba-son) is a village located in Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 September 2023[update], the village had an estimated population of 2299 in 1023 households, and a population density of 4.3 persons per km2. [1] The total area of the village is 537.29 square kilometres (207.45 sq mi).
Geography
Shiiba is a small, mountainous village situated in northwest Miyazaki prefecture, on the border with Kumamoto Prefecture. The entire area is surrounded by mountains ranging from 1,000 to 1,700 meters above sea level in the central Kyushu Mountains, including Mt. Kunimi in the northwest, and numerous rivers originate and flow through the valleys. Most of the village area is in the headwaters of the Mimi River, but the southern part of the village straddles the headwaters of the Hitotsuse and Komaru rivers. Due to the extremely rugged terrain, the habitable land area is only 4% of the village area, and villages exist scattered along rivers and on gentle slopes, mainly in the middle of mountains. The main area of Shiiba village (known as Kami-Shiiba) itself is quite small, however, several small hamlets surround the village to make up the area/region known as Shiiba. There are also a few dams located in the area, the main one being the Kamishiiba Dam which can be found in close proximity to Shiiba Secondary School. Due to its many rivers, waterfalls, and forests, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Most of the village is within the borders of the Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi Quasi-National Park.
Due to the remote, natural, cool environment of Shiiba, it is home to many kinds of wildlife. Although many of the native animals are rarely seen during the day, they can often be seen very early in the morning or at night, especially when driving. Shiiba is home to a large number of tanuki or
The region is also host to a large number of insect groups. Although their numbers dwindle in the colder times of the year and are rarely seen, many are present during the summer months. A large number of
Neighbouring municipalities
Miyazaki Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture
Climate
The winters can be very cold, especially in the Okawachi area, with heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures. Although it changes slightly every year, it annually snows from the period starting from mid to late December until February. During this time most locals have to change their car tires to ones equipped with stronger treading (
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Shiiba has declined over the past 60 years.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1920 | 9,495 | — |
1930 | 8,795 | −7.4% |
1940 | 11,463 | +30.3% |
1950 | 9,310 | −18.8% |
1960 | 10,879 | +16.9% |
1970 | 7,616 | −30.0% |
1980 | 5,478 | −28.1% |
1990 | 4,611 | −15.8% |
2000 | 3,769 | −18.3% |
2010 | 3,092 | −18.0% |
2020 | 2,503 | −19.0% |
Shiiba population statistics[2] |
History
The area of Misato was part of ancient
Government
Shiiba has a
Economy
Shiiba has an economy based overwhelmingly on agriculture and forestry.
Education
Education in Shiiba is regulated by the Shiiba Village Board of Education (教育委員会 - kyouikuiinkai'). As a result of the declining population, a few of the local schools have been closed over the years. At present there are 6 primary schools and 1 main secondary school: The village does not have a high school.
Primary schools
- Shiiba Primary School (椎葉小学校)
- Kozaki Primary School (小崎小学校)
- Fudono Primary School (不土野小学校)
- Omukai Primary School (尾向小学校)
- Okawauchi Primary School (大河内小学校)
- Matsuo Primary School (松尾小学校).
Secondary schools
The only secondary school in Shiiba is Shiiba Secondary School (椎葉中学校). Another secondary school, Matsuo Secondary School (松尾中学校) closed in spring 2013. Students from Matsuo Elementary School initially went straight to Matsuo Junior High School upon graduation. However, due its closure in the spring of 2013, all students in the region graduate to Shiiba Junior High school (This is now the main and only secondary school in Shiiba).
As there are no high schools in Shiiba, students are required to study at high schools in other parts of Miyazaki prefecture upon graduation.
Despite its remote location Shiiba is not internationally isolated and has had a longterm reciprocal exchange program with a sister school in Singapore. All the final year secondary school students travel to Singapore each year during the summer holidays (August) as part of an international cultural exchange and homestay programme. This is then reciprocated in the winter (November–December) when students from Singapore travel to Shiiba. Due to the small size and close-knit nature of the community this is a town event, with the exchange often timed to coincide with local traditional festivals or events, such as Kagura or harvest festivals. The programme is unique, with few comparable programs in Japan, in part to the extent of local support and its structure allowing all students from Shiiba a chance experience foreign culture and the chance to forge strong friendship with people of their own age in a different country. It is an event that most students look forward to one day participating in.
Transportation
As there are no train stations and only a very limited bus service from
Railways
Shiiba has no passenger rail service. The nearest train station is
Highways
Local attractions
Heike Festival
The village, despite being small, has a long and deep history. Every year, during early to mid November, the locals are joined by hundreds of people from other parts of the country to celebrate the Shiiba Heike Matsuri. This festival celebrates a legendary tragic love affair that took place between two members of rival samurai families in the area over 800 years ago. This celebration is of a secret love between the Heike clan's Princess, Tsurutomi, and Nasu Daihachiro, a member of the Genji clan who had been given orders to destroy the Heike clan. It takes place over 3 days (Friday evening and the following Saturday and Sunday) and includes a number of special events and performances accompanied with food and souvenir stalls with the main attraction being the Heike Parade. Over 300 people participate in the parade with many local men and boys dressing up in samurai armour walking in line with Nasu Daihachiro, and the local women and girls dressing up as Heike maidens surrounding and following the Princess Tsurutomi. The roles for Princess Tsurutomi and Nasu Daihchiro are selected in the months before the parade by the village office. Many of the local school students and teachers, village officials and residents participate in the parade making it the starring attraction. The Heike Parade has been preceded in recent years by the talented, Kyushu famous, orchestra from Miyazaki Gakuen.
The town's cartoon style mascot, Otsuru-chan (おつるちゃん), is based on Princess Tsurutomi.
Outdoor activities
Aside from the many hillwalking and hiking trails that cover the mountains around Shiiba, climbing, especially ice climbing in winter, has become popular; with climbers around Kyushu travelling to Shiiba due to the consistent subzero temperates and many frozen waterfalls to be found around the region. Along with hiking, camping is also popular, with camping and log cabins in the area available during the warmer months, as well as several guesthouses offering nature retreats.
Books
- Shiiba Kuniko: Living in the mountains with Kuniko Obaba (2013) ISBN 4872906373
References
- ^ "Shiiba Village official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ a b Shiiba population statistics
External links
- Media related to Shiiba, Miyazaki at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (in Japanese)