Consider Umi. It is more than just a dot on Fukuoka Prefecture’s map. Umi is a town located in Kasuya District. It holds stories within its borders. Today we will discover some of them together.
Umi sits about 15 kilometers east-southeast of Fukuoka City. This location makes Umi part of the Fukuoka metropolitan area. The northern and northwestern parts of Umi are flat. These areas are developing into a commuter town. Meanwhile, the southern and eastern parts are mountainous. Mount Shioji is a popular hiking spot.
Did you know Umi has a humid subtropical climate? This means warm summers and cool winters. Snowfall is light. The average annual temperature in Umi is 15.2 degrees Celsius. Rainfall averages 1766 mm per year. September is the wettest month. August sees the highest temperatures. January is the coldest.
The history of Umi stretches back to ancient times. It was part of Chikuzen Province. According to old texts Empress Jingu gave birth to Emperor Ojin here. This happened on her way back from conquering Korea. During the Edo Period, Fukuoka Domain controlled Umi. The village of Umi was officially established on April 1, 1889. Umi became a town on October 20, 1920.
Umi has a mayor-council form of government. The town council has 14 members. Together with other towns in Kasuya District, Umi sends three members to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly.
Coal mining once drove Umi’s economy. These mines closed in the 1960s. Now, agriculture, forestry, and tourism are key. Many residents commute to Fukuoka for work.
Umi provides education. There are five public elementary schools and three junior high schools. The town government runs these. There is one public high school. The Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education operates it.
Getting around Umi is interesting. Umi Station is on the Kashii Line. The station building looks like a torii gate. This design reflects the nearby Umi Hachiman-gu Shrine. Umi is not directly on a national highway.
Points of interest in Umi include the Koshoji Kofun. It is a National Historic Site. Also worth seeing are the Ono Castle ruins. The Umi Hachiman-gu shrine is a local treasure.
Umi is a blend of history. Umi is evolving industry and natural beauty. Take a moment to appreciate Umi. It is a unique place in Fukuoka Prefecture.