Saito (西都市, Saito-shi) is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 November 2023[update], the city had an estimated population of 28,538 in 13964 households, and a population density of 65 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 438.79 km2 (169.42 sq mi).
Geography
Saito is the 5th largest city in the Miyazaki prefecture. 70% of the city is mountainous, and the Hitotsuse River cuts through the city from northwest to southeast. Many other smaller streams cut through the valleys in Saito. Much of the city is covered by mountains and forest (approximately 80%).
Saito has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Saito is 17.2 °C (63.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,547.3 mm (100.29 in) with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.4 °C (81.3 °F), and lowest in January, at around 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).[2] The highest temperature ever recorded in Saito was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) on 31 July 2013; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −7.7 °C (18.1 °F) on 27 February 1981.[3]
Climate data for Saito (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Koyugunshimohokita Village (児湯郡下穂北 ) became Shimohokita( 下穂北) Town.
1924
August 1
Koyugunshimohokita Town became Tsuma Town
1952
March 29
Saitobaru Burial Mounds appointed a special historical place
1953
July 22
The Hibi (日肥) line (Hitoyoshi – Tsuma National Railway bus) opened to traffic。
1958
April 1
Koyogun—Saito Town, Sanzai Village and Tonokori Village were abolished and replaced by Saito City.
1958
September 1
Saitobaru and Sugiyasu gorge were appointed as prefectural parks
1958
November 1
Koyugun—Saito Town became Saito City (And the city was founded).
1962
April 1
Saito City, Sanzai Village and Higashinishimera village amalgamated.
1963
January 24
A large fire on Heisuke (平助通) Street damages 100 houses, injures 418 and kills 4 people.
1963
June 4
Kyūshū Electric Company's Hitotsuse plant completed.
1964
October 27
The Shimozuruusu Taiko Dance appeared in a folk art public performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
1966
November 17
The Fuudoki Hill (風土記の丘) Project began, a project to turn the Saitobaru Burial Mounds into a public park.
1971
October 8
The Shimozuruusu Taiko dance was appointed a national cultural asset
1979
October 16
The Emperor visited Saitobaru
1981
March 10
Ohae kagura was appointed a prefectural cultural asset
1984
November 30
National Railway's Tsuma line closes after 70 years in service, leaving neighbouring town Sadowara to the west as the closest station on the JR Railway.
1988
July 1
Sugiyasu River Nakashima Park Opened
1994
November 28
Mokuzo Yamaji Bishamonten appointed as a prefectural cultural asset
1995
May 29
Construction began on the Saito-Kiyotake link of the Eastern Kyūshū Motorway
1995
June
Saitobaru burial mounds selected to be part of a national large-scale project to preserve remains
1996
November 1
木喰上人造仏五体 appointed a prefectural cultural asset.
1998
October 1
Ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the city.
1998
October 12
Maintenance of the Saitobaru Burial mounds and surrounding area selected as part of the Ministry of Home Affairs Reading Project.
2000
September 6
The ruins of Tonokori Castle were appointed as a National Historical place.
2004
April 25
55th National Tree Planting ceremony held in Saito city.
Saito has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Saito and the village of Nishimera collectively contribute one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The city's economy is centered on agriculture. The agricultural products of Saito include green peppers, cucumbers and sweet corn.
Education
Saito has eight public elementary schools, and six public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one five public high school operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
Railways
Saito does not have any passenger railway service since the discontinuation of the JNR Tsuma Line on December 1, 1984. The nearest stations are Sadowara StationHyūga-Shintomi Station, and Takanabe Station, all of which are on the JR KyushuNippō Main Line, and all of which are approximately 30 minutes by car from the city center.
Saitobaru Kofun Cluster, Special National Historic Site,comprising 311 burial mounds which lay on a plateau roughly 4 by 2 km in size, making it one of the largest collections of burial mounds in Japan. It was designated a Special Historic site by the Japanese government in 1952.
