Minamiaso, Kumamoto

Minamiaso (南阿蘇村, Minamiaso-mura, literally "South Aso") is a village in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

Minamiaso

南阿蘇村
Village
View of Mount Aso from Minami-Aso
Flag
Chapter
Location of Minamiaso in Kumamoto Prefecture
Minamiaso
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°49′N 131°2′E
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureKumamoto Prefecture
DistrictAso
Government
 • MayorToshiya Nagano (since February 2005)
Area
 • Total137.30 km2 (53.01 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2016)
 • Total11,086
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address145-3 Kain, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto-ken
869-1411
Websitewww.vill.minamiaso.lg.jp
Symbols
BirdEmberiza cioides
FlowerPieris japonica
TreeChamaecyparis obtusa

It was formed on February 13, 2005 from the merger of the villages of Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. Neighbouring towns are Takamori, Ōzu, and Nishihara.

As of April 30, 2019, the village has an estimated population of 10,535 and a population density of 77 persons per km². The total area is 137.30 km².

History

Minamiaso is situated within Aso Caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. For more information, refer to the entry on Mt. Aso.

Minamiaso was once three separate villages: Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. In 2005, it was decided that these villages would merge along with neighboring area Tateno to become Minamiaso village, which would stretch between Ōzu and Takamori.

Merger

Due to declining birth rate, aging population and the opportunity to share administrative resources, discussions between the three villages (Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino) began on April 1, 2003. The merger was complete on February 13, 2005.

Education
  • Tokai Agricultural University
  • Kumamoto Seiryou High School

There are no public high schools in Minamiaso.

Junior high schools
  • Chōyō Junior High School
  • Hakusui Junior High School
  • Kugino Junior High School

Junior High School Merger

At the beginning of 2016, due to declining student numbers, the three junior high schools merged into a single school, named simply "Minamiaso Junior High School". Chōyō Junior High School was chosen as the new location to host the students and staff.

Elementary schools
Ryouhei Elementary School
  • Tateno Elementary School
  • Chōyō Elementary School
  • West Chōyō Elementary School
  • Nakamatsu Elementary School
  • Hakusui Elementary School
  • Ryouhei Elementary School
  • Kugino Elementary School

Transportation

Rail

Trains going to Ōzu, Miyaji (Aso City) or non-express trains bound for Oita will stop at Tateno Station. Those trains bound for Ōzu will end their journey there and connecting train will be waiting at the adjacent platform. A change will also need to be made at Tateno to the Minamiaso Tetsudou line, which is not a JR line so JR Rail Passes will not be valid. From Tateno to Chōyō (the first station in Minamiaso-mura) costs 230 yen. Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the train line is not in operation and is currently receiving repairs (as of 27 January 2017).

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