- Ōkuchi, Kagoshima
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Ōkuchi
大口市Former municipality Since November 1, 2008 Currently part of Isa
Ōkuchi's location in Kagoshima, Japan.Location Country Japan Region Kyūshū Prefecture Kagoshima Physical characteristics Population (as of 2008) Total 21,643 (estimated) Symbols
Ōkuchi (大口市 Ōkuchi-shi ) was a city located in Kagoshima, Japan. It is now part of the city of Isa.Ōkuchi is the northernmost city on the mainland part of Kagoshima Prefecture. Only the island portion of Nagashima extends further north. Ōkuchi is a mountainous area that borders on Kumamoto Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture. Part of the southern border of the city is the Sendai River and the artificial lake formed from the Tsuruta dam. It is the only city in Kagoshima Prefecture that is not bordered by the sea.
At one time, Ōkuchi was a prosperous city but has declined for several reasons in recent years. First, there has been a decline in forestry and agriculture in the area, but the aging Japanese population and the flight to larger cities have also been significant factors. For these reasons two Japanese National Railways railway lines that served Ōkuchi were discontinued in the 1987 and 1988. They were the Yamano line that went from Minamata to Kurino and the Miyajo line that went from Sendai to Ōkuchi.
As of 2008, the city had an estimated population of 21,643 and the density of 78.02 persons per km². The total area was 291.88 km².
Contents
History
The city was founded on April 1, 1954.
A planned merger of municipalities was implemented on November 1, 2008; Ōkuchi was merged with the town of Hishikari, from Isa District, to form the new city of Isa. Isa District was dissolved as a result of this merger.[1]
Neighboring Municipalities
Cities: Izumi, Hitoyoshi (Kumamoto), Minamata (Kumamoto), Ebino (Miyazaki)
Districts: Satsuma District, Isa District, Kuma District (Kumamoto).
Transportation
Railways
Shin-Minamata Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen is 35 km northwest (operated by Kyushu Railway Company)
Highways
- National Highway 267
- National Highway 268
- National Highway 447
- Kyushu Expressway Hitoyoshi Interchange is 30 km northeast and Kurino Interchange is 20 km southeast of Ōkuchi
Bus
- Nangoku Kotsu Bus
Airport
Kagoshima Airport in Kirishima (35 km SSE of Ōkuchi)
Sister cities
Ōkuchi has two sister cities:
Nishinoomote, Japan
Namhae, South Korea
References
External links
- Isa official website (Japanese)
Kagoshima Prefecture
Subprefectures Cities Districts Categories:- Dissolved municipalities of Kagoshima Prefecture
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