| Fukusaki | |||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||
| Settlement Type: | Town | ||
| Seal Type: | Chapter | ||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Japan | ||
| Coordinates: | 34.95°N 180°W | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Name1: | Kansai | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||
| Subdivision Name2: | Hyōgo | ||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||
| Subdivision Name3: | Kanzaki | ||
| Extinct Title: | Now part of | ||
| Leader Title: | Mayor | ||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||
| Area Total Km2: | 45.79 | ||
| Population Total: | 18,742 | ||
| Population As Of: | April 30, 2022 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||
| Timezone1: | JST | ||
| Utc Offset1: | +09:00 | ||
| Blank Name Sec1: | City hall address | ||
| Blank Info Sec1: | 1-3116 Minamitawara, Fukusaki-chō, Kanzaki-gun, Hyōgo-ken | ||
| Blank Name Sec2: | Climate | ||
| Blank Info Sec2: | Cfa | ||
| Module: |
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thumb|right|270px|Kunio Yanagida birthplace is a town in Kanzaki District, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 18,742 in 7803 households and a population density of 410 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town is 45.79sqkm.
Fukusaki is located in the center of Hyōgo Prefecture, and occupies the middle part of Ichikawa River Basin. It is surrounded by low mountains and hills. Nagusayama (683 meters) in the northwestern end has seven waterfalls and many reservoirs are located in the eastern part of the town.
Hyōgo Prefecture
Fukusaki has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Precipitation is significantly higher in summer than in winter, though on the whole lower than most parts of Honshū, and there is no significant snowfall. The average annual temperature in Fukusaki is . The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Fukusaki was on 20 August 2023; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 3 February 1996.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Fukusaki in 2020 is 19,377 people. Fukusaki has been conducting censuses since 1920.
The area of the modern town of Fukusaki was within ancient Harima Province. In the Edo Period, it was mostly under the controls of Himeji Domain with small portions as tenryō territory under direct administration of the Tokugawa shogunate. Following the Meiji restoration, the villages of Fukusaki was created within Kanzaki District, Hyōgo. On December 1, 1925, Fukuzawa merged with the neighboring village of Tomioka and was elevated to town status. Fukusaki expanded on May 3, 1956, by annexing the neighboring villages of Tahara and Yachikusa.
Fukusaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Fukusaki, together with the other municipalities of Kanzaki District, contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Hyōgo 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Fukusaki has an economy centered on light manufacturing of electrical component, food processing, pharmaceuticals and metals processing, with agriculture playing a smaller role.
Fukusaki has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. The Kinki Health Welfare University is also located in the town.
Kunio Yanagita (1875–1962) Was born in Fukusaki, and due to his importance in the study of Japanese folklore, the town has a number of yokai sculptures. In Tsujikawayama Park there are currently five statues whose designs were chosen through "The National Yokai Modeling contest".[2] A total of 17 "Yokai benches" also exist within the town. As a way to create tourism, these benches were created and placed near local businesses and other points of interest.[3]
The Miki House belonged to the great chief of Fukusaki. It is said that Kunio Yanagita read thousands of books from this family when he was a child.
Suzunomori shrine is in the Tsujikawa region, near Kunio Yanagita's house.
There are two Major festivals: the Autumn Festival and Summer Festival.
During the Autumn Festival, young men carry a portable shrine and pray for a good harvest. These young men often wear 'happi'.
The Summer Festival is held on the 9th of August at the playground of Fukusaki Junior High School. There are fireworks displayed, bon dancing and drum performances. As well as food/game stalls.