Yoshimi, Saitama

Yoshimi (吉見町, Yoshimi-machi) is a town located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the town had an estimated population of 19,535, and a population density of 506 persons per km². Its total area is 38.64 square kilometres (14.92 sq mi).

Yoshimi 吉見町
Town
Clockwise from top left:Yoshimi Hundred Caves, Yoshimi Matsuyama Castle, Yoshimi road station, Kuroiwa Kofun, Yoshimi Anraku-ji
Flag Seal
Location of Yorshimi in Saitama Prefecture
Yoshimi
Coordinates: 36°2′23.6″N 139°27′13.5″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Saitama Prefecture
District	Hiki
Area
• Total	38.64 km^2 (14.92 sq mi)
Population  (February 2016)
• Total	19,535
• Density	506/km^2 (1,310/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Zelkova serrata
- Flower	Chrysanthemum
- Bird	Eurasian skylark
Phone number	0493-54-1511
Address	411 Hosoya, Yoshimi-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama-ken 355-0192
Website	http://www.town.yoshimi.saitama.jp/

Geography

Located in central Saitama Prefecture on the upper reaches of the Arakawa River, Yoshimi is noted for its strawberry production.

Surrounding municipalities

• Saitama Prefecture
  • Kumagaya
  • Kōnosu
  • Higashimatsuyama
  • Kitamoto
  • Kawajima

History

Archaeologists have discovered numerous Kofun period remains from the third through sixth centuries AD within the borders of Yoshimi.

The villages of Higashi-Yoshimi, Minami-Yoshimi, Nishi-Yoshimi and Kita-Yoshimi were created within Yokomi District with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Yokomi District was abolished in 1896, becoming part of Hiki District.

On July 1, 1954, the four villages merged to become the village of Yoshimi, which was elevated to town status on November 3, 1972. Attempts to merge Yoshimi with neighboring Higashimatsuyama were rejected by referendum in 2004.

Education

Yoshimi has six elementary schools and one middle school. The town does not have a high school; however, the Musashigaoka College, a junior college, is located in Yoshimi.

Transportation

Railway

• Yoshimi has no passenger rail service.

Highway

• Yoshimi is not located on any national highways.

Local attractions

• The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi
• Anraku-ji
• Iwamuro Kannon Hall
• site of Matsuyama Castle
• Kuroiwa Kofun
• Yoshimi Onsen

Notable people from Yoshimi

• Tomoyuki Kubota, professional baseball player
• Momosuke Fukuzawa, Meiji period entrepreneur

External links

• Media related to Yoshimi, Saitama at Wikimedia Commons
• Official Website (in Japanese)