Gotō, Nagasaki

Gotō 五島市
—  City  —
Location of Gotō in Nagasaki
Gotō
Coordinates: 32°42′N 128°50′E / 32.7°N 128.833°E / 32.7; 128.833Coordinates: 32°42′N 128°50′E / 32.7°N 128.833°E / 32.7; 128.833
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Nagasaki
Area
– Total	420.81 km2 (162.5 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2009)
– Total	41,657
– Density	99/km2 (256.4/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Phone number	0959-72-6111
Address	〒853-8501
Website	City of Gotō

Gotō (五島市, Gotō-shi^?) is a city in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It comprises the south-west half of the Gotō Islands in the East China Sea, some 100 kilometers from Nagasaki. The city consists of 11 inhabited and 52 uninhabited islands. The three main islands of the city are Fukue, Hisaka, and Naru.

History

The area now comprising Gotō city was a port of call on the trade route between Japan and Tang Dynasty China in the Nara period. Noted Buddhist prelate Kukai stopped at Gotō in 806. The islands came under the control of the Gotō clan from the Muromachi period and was the location of intense European missionary activity in the late 16th century, which converted most of the population to the Kirishitan faith. After the start of the Tokugawa bakufu, the area was part of Fukue Domain in the Edo period. Fukue City was established in 1954. Most of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1962.

Modern Gotō City was established on August 1, 2004 after the merger of the city of Fukue City with the neighboring towns of Kishiku, Miiraku, Naru, Tamanoura and Tomie, all from Minamimatsuura District. The population of the area has declined from over 60,000 inhabitants in 1980 due to economic migration and aging population issues.

Events

Gotō hosts the Ironman Japan Triathlon.^[1] The triathlon was established in 2001, and the 2010 marathon was run on June 13. It is one way to gain entry into the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

Transportation

Gotō-Fukue Airport on Fukue serves the city.^[2] It was established in 1963 to serve as a regional airport.

References

1. ^ Ironman Japan Triathlon Goto Nagasaki. Ironman Japan Triathlon Goto Nagasaki. Accessed October 8, 2010.
2. ^ Gotō Fukue Airport (Japanese) Fukue Airport, Inc. Accessed October 11, 2010.

External links

Media related to Gotō, Nagasaki at Wikimedia Commons

• Gotō City Homepage. (Japanese)