Shōdoshima, Kagawa Explained

Shōdoshima
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:34.4833°N 148°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Shikoku
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Kagawa Prefecture
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Shōzu
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Masahiko Oe
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:95.59
Population Total:13,646
Population As Of:2020
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address
Blank Info Sec1:2100-4 Ikeda, Shōdoshima-chō, Shōzu-gun, Kagawa-ken
761-4388
Blank Name Sec2:Climate
Blank Info Sec2:Cfa
Module:
Embedded:yes
Tree:Olive
Flower:Olive
Mascot:Olive Shimachan
Population Footnotes:[1]
Area Footnotes:[2]

is a town in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, with a population of 13,646.[3] The town was established in 2006 and covers various ports and communities on the eastern half of Shōdoshima, the second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea.[4] Shōdoshima is roughly halfway between the much larger islands of Shikoku to the south and Honshu to the north, and has a mild and relatively dry climate.

Soy sauce production, which flourished through the early 20th century, remains a major industry.[5] Other industries include sōmen noodles, tsukudani (made with soy sauce), fishing and agriculture.[6] In Japan, olives were first successfully cultivated here in the 1910s[7] and olive oil production resurged in the late 20th century.[8]

Tourism is also economically important. Shodoshima participates in the Setouchi Triennale, a regional art festival,[9] and the mountainous interior is home to Kankakei Gorge. The book and film Twenty-Four Eyes was set on the island, and a movie studio park and museum attracts visitors.

Geography

Notable locations

The town of Shōdoshima was created in 2006 by merging the former towns of Ikeda and Uchinomi, both from Shōzu District. The total area is 95.59 km2,[10] and covers the entire eastern half of the island of Shōdoshima. Notable communities and locations include:

Climate

Shōdoshima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers, and cool winters. Some rain falls throughout the year, but the months from May to September have the heaviest rain. The average annual temperature in Shōdoshima 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 Shōdoshima was on 21 August 2000; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 26 February 1981.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Shōdoshima in 2020 is 13,870 people. Shōdoshima has been conducting censuses since 1920.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: September 1, 2021. Population Statistics, Kagawa Prefecture [in Japanese]]. February 17, 2021. Kagawa Prefecture.
  2. Web site: January 1, 2021. Areas of Prefectures, Cities, etc. (in Japanese). 30 March 2021. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. 64.
  3. Web site: September 1, 2021. Population Statistics, Kagawa Prefecture [in Japanese]]. February 17, 2021. Kagawa Prefecture.
  4. Web site: Outline of Shodoshima Town [in Japanese]]. 1 April 2021. Shodoshima Town.
  5. Web site: History. Shodoshima Soy Sauce. Shodoshima Shoyu Association.
  6. Web site: 導入促進基本計画 [Basic Industry Promotion Plan] (in Japanese)]. 1 April 2021. Shodoshima Town.
  7. Web site: The Oldest Olive (in Japanese). 1 April 2021. Olive Garden.
  8. Web site: Olives [in Japanese]]. April 1, 2021. Shodoshima Town.
  9. Web site: Shodoshima. 1 April 2021. Art Setouchi.
  10. Web site: January 1, 2021. Areas of Prefectures, Cities, etc. (in Japanese). 30 March 2021. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. 64.