Ureshino, Saga

Infobox City Japan
Name= Ureshino
JapaneseName= 嬉野市
Map

---

Region= Kyūshū
Prefecture= Saga
District=
Area_km2= 126.51
PopDate= 2005
Population= 30,394
Density_km2= 240.25
Coords= coord|33|8|N|130|4|E|region:JP_type:city
Tree=
Flower=
Bird=
Symbol

SymbolDescription=
Mayor=
CityHallPostalCode= 849-1411
CityHallAddress= 1769 Babashitakō, Shiota-chō, Ureshino-shi, Saga-ken
CityHallPhone= 0954-66-3111
CityHallLink= [http://www.city.ureshino.lg.jp/ City of Ureshino] nihongo|Ureshino|嬉野市|Ureshino-shi is a city located in the western part of Saga prefecture on the island of Kyūshū, Japan. The city was formed on January 1, 2006 by the merger of the towns of Ureshino and Shiota. Ureshino is locally known for the green tea green tea grown there and its onsens.

Adjoining municipalities

*Saga Prefecture
**Kashima
**Takeo
**Shiroishi
*Nagasaki Prefecture
**Hasami
**Higashisonogi
**Kawatana
**Ōmura

History

*1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system is established. The current city region is occupied by 6 villages: Gochōda, Higashiureshino, Kuma, Nishiureshino, Shiota, and Yoshida.
*1918-10-05 - Shiota gains town status.
*1929-04-22 - Nishiureshino gains town status and is renamed Ureshino.
*1933-04-01 - Higashiureshino is incorporated into Ureshino.
*1955-04-01 - Yoshida is incorporated into Ureshino.
*1956-09-01 - Gochōda and Kuma are incorporated into Shiota.
*2006-01-01 - Ureshino and Shiota merge to form Ureshino City.

Education

Prefectural Senior High schools

*Shiota Technical Senior High School
*Ureshino Senior High School

Municipal Junior High schools

*Ōnohara Junior High School
*Shiota Junior High School
*Ureshino Junior High School
*Yoshida Junior High School

Municipal Elementary schools

*Gochōda Elementary School
*Kuma Elementary School
*Ōkusano Elementary School
*Ōnohara Elementary School
*Shiota Elementary School
*Todoroki Elementary School
*Ureshino Elementary School
*Yoshida Elementary School

Transportation

Air

The closest airports are Nagasaki Airport and Saga Airport.

Rail

There are no train stations in Ureshino. The closest are Hizen-Kashima Station in Kashima and Takeo-Onsen Station in Takeo.

Road

*Expressways:
**Nagasaki Expressway
***Ureshino Interchange

*National highways:
**Route 34
**Route 498

*Prefectural roads:
**Sasebo-Ureshino Route 1
**Ōmura-Ureshino Route 6
**Ureshino-Shiota Route 28
**Kashima-Ureshino Route 41
**Ureshino-Yamauchi Route 45

Places and Items of Interest

Hizen Yume Kaido

This amusement park is a reproduction of a town along the Nagasaki Kaido, a major route which ran through the region in the 17th century during the Edo Period. There are dramatic shows that include samurai, ninjas and princesses, shown on the weekends.

Ureshino Spa

The city boasts some of the region's best onsens, including Shibasansou, Taishoya, and Warakuen. There are currently over 40 spas in the area, both indoor and outdoor, ranging in size and water quality. Tourists may purchase a discount spa ticket from the local Tourist Information Office, located at the Ureshino Highway Interchange.

Ureshino Onsen Tofu

Onsen water is used to make this delightful local dish. The alkaline in the water makes the bean curd in the tofu soft and mellow when it is heated in ceramic pots. Onsen tofu is traditionally served with condiments such as green onion, ginger, and sesame paste to taste.

Ureshino Green Tea

Ureshino is an area surrounded by green tea fields, and is well known as one of the best green tea producers in Japan, as the method of tea production dates back to 1504, when it was first introduced from China during the Ming Dynasty. This tradition has been carried on today in the delicate aroma and flavour of the tea.

Festivals and events

January

*Takeo Onsen Health Road Race (嬉野温泉健康ロードレース大会)

February

*Ureshino Attaka Festival (うれしのあったかまつり)

April

*Ureshino Tea Mitto (うれしの茶ミット)
*Oyama-san Festival (お山さんまつり)

August

*Happy Carnival (うれしカーニバル)
*Takeo Onsen Summer Festival (嬉野温泉夏まつり)

November

*Hachiman Shrine Festival (八幡宮例祭)
*Tanjō Shrine Shiota Kunchi (丹生神社例祭塩田くんち)

December

*Hachiten Shrine Grand Festival (八天神社例大祭)

External links

*ja icon [http://www.city.ureshino.lg.jp/ Official website]