Itoshima (糸島市, Itoshima-shi) is a city located in western Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2024, the city had an estimated population of 103,655 in 46,192 households, and a population density of 480 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city is 215.69 km2 (83.28 sq mi).

Itoshima
糸島市
Itoshima City Hall
Itoshima City Hall
Flag of Itoshima
Official seal of Itoshima
Map
Location of Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture
Location of Itoshima
Itoshima is located in Japan
Itoshima
Itoshima
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°33′14″N 130°11′52″E / 33.55389°N 130.19778°E / 33.55389; 130.19778
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureFukuoka
Government
 • MayorYuuji Tsukigata (since February, 2014)
Area
 • Total215.69 km2 (83.28 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2024)
 • Total103,655
 • Density480/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1-1-1 Maebaru-nishi, Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka-ken 819-1192
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerHibiscus hamabo
TreeMaple
view of Itoshima from Shiraito Falls
Terraced fields in Itoshima
Futamigaura torii

Geography

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Itoshima is located on the Itoshima Peninsula at the northwestern edge of Fukuoka Prefecture. The northern and western ends face the Genkai Sea, and the eastern side borders Fukuoka City. It is a mountainous area with the Sefuri Mountains in the south, bordering Saga Prefecture, the southwest bordering Karatsu City, and the southeast bordering Saga City.

Neighboring municipalities

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Fukuoka Prefecture

Saga Prefecture

Climate

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Itoshima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa). The average annual temperature in Itoshima is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,701.0 mm (66.97 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.6 °C (81.7 °F), and lowest in January, at around 6.2 °C (43.2 °F).[2] The highest temperature ever recorded in Itoshima was 38.9 °C (102.0 °F) on 5 August 2017; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −4.7 °C (23.5 °F) on 28 February 1981.[3]

Climate data for Maebaru, Itoshima (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.4
(68.7)
23.7
(74.7)
26.2
(79.2)
30.4
(86.7)
33.0
(91.4)
34.6
(94.3)
36.8
(98.2)
38.9
(102.0)
37.4
(99.3)
34.0
(93.2)
27.9
(82.2)
25.9
(78.6)
38.9
(102.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.9
(49.8)
11.2
(52.2)
14.4
(57.9)
19.4
(66.9)
24.1
(75.4)
26.9
(80.4)
30.7
(87.3)
31.8
(89.2)
28.0
(82.4)
23.2
(73.8)
17.8
(64.0)
12.4
(54.3)
20.8
(69.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2)
7.0
(44.6)
9.9
(49.8)
14.4
(57.9)
19.0
(66.2)
22.6
(72.7)
26.8
(80.2)
27.6
(81.7)
23.7
(74.7)
18.6
(65.5)
13.2
(55.8)
8.2
(46.8)
16.4
(61.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0)
2.6
(36.7)
5.2
(41.4)
9.3
(48.7)
14.2
(57.6)
19.0
(66.2)
23.6
(74.5)
24.1
(75.4)
20.1
(68.2)
14.1
(57.4)
8.5
(47.3)
3.8
(38.8)
12.2
(54.0)
Record low °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9)
−4.7
(23.5)
−3.0
(26.6)
−0.6
(30.9)
4.6
(40.3)
8.2
(46.8)
15.3
(59.5)
17.0
(62.6)
8.0
(46.4)
2.6
(36.7)
−0.5
(31.1)
−3.9
(25.0)
−4.7
(23.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 78.8
(3.10)
73.2
(2.88)
109.1
(4.30)
116.9
(4.60)
123.4
(4.86)
243.3
(9.58)
294.1
(11.58)
211.0
(8.31)
188.0
(7.40)
95.0
(3.74)
96.8
(3.81)
71.6
(2.82)
1,701
(66.97)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 10.2 9.7 10.9 10.0 9.1 11.6 11.4 10.1 10.5 7.6 9.4 9.3 119.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 103.4 120.2 158.9 186.9 198.3 136.8 174.9 202.9 162.0 171.5 132.3 104.2 1,852
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[2][3]


Demographics

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Per Japanese census data, the population of Itoshima in 2020 is 98,877 people.[4] Itoshima has been conducting censuses since 1920.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 41,064—    
1925 43,103+5.0%
1930 44,881+4.1%
1935 44,823−0.1%
1940 45,533+1.6%
1945 60,260+32.3%
1950 60,809+0.9%
1955 62,021+2.0%
1960 59,549−4.0%
1965 56,863−4.5%
1970 56,204−1.2%
YearPop.±%
1975 59,697+6.2%
1980 66,220+10.9%
1985 73,649+11.2%
1990 77,610+5.4%
1995 88,691+14.3%
2000 95,040+7.2%
2005 97,974+3.1%
2010 98,440+0.5%
2015 96,475−2.0%
2020 98,877+2.5%
Itoshima population statistics[4]

History

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The area of Itoshima was part of ancient Chikuzen Province. From the large number of Yayoi Period ruins found in the town are and by its location and geography, it is assumed to be the location of ancient Itokoku mentioned in the Wajinden and other ancient Chinese records. During the Edo period, the area was part of Fukuoka Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Fukuyoshi, Fukae, Ichikisan, Nagaihon (renamed Nagaito in 1892), Kafuri, Raiyama, Ito, Maehara, Hatae, Kaya, Kofuji, Keya, Nokita, and Sakurai were established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Maehara was raised to town status on September 15, 1901 and annexed Hatae and Kafuri on April 1, 1931. On January 1, 1955 Maebaru annexed Raiyama and Nagaito, followed by Ido on April 1 of the same year. Kaya, Sakurano, Kofuji, and Keya merged on January 1, 1955 to form the village of Shima, which became town on April 1, 1965. Likewise Ichikiyama, Fukae, and merged on January 1, 1955 to form the village of Nijo, which became town on April 1, 1965. Maebaru was raised to city status on October 1, 1992. Maebaru annexed Shima and Nijo on April 16, 2009 and was renamed Itoshima.

Government

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Itoshima has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Itoshima contributes two members to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukuoka 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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The economy of Itoshima is centered on agriculture, commercial fishing and tourism. There is one industrial park. An increasing proportion of the local workforce commutes to neighboring Fukuoka.

Education

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Universities

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Primary and secondary education

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Itoshima has 16 public elementary schools and six public junior high schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education. Kyushu University and Nishi-nippon Junior College have campuses in Itoshima.

Transportation

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Railways

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  JR Kyushu - Chikuhi Line

JK Hatae - Itoshimakōkō-mae - Chikuzen-Maebaru - Misakigaoka - Kafuri - Ikisan - Chikuzen-Fukae - Dainyū - Fukuyoshi - Shikaka

Highways

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Local attractions

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National Historic Sites

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Culture and tourism

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Itoshima is known for its seaside resorts, beaches, and natural beauty. It is a popular site for surfing and hiking. A summer music festival, Sunset Live, takes place each year.

Notable people from Itoshima

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References

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  1. ^ "Itoshima City official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Itoshima population statistics
  5. ^ "Shinoda Mariko (篠田 麻里子)". Viki.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  6. ^ "篠田麻里子が福岡・糸島の母校へ!友人に上京することを伝えなかった理由は…?". NTV (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
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