Shirataka 白鷹町
Town
Shirataka Town Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Shirataka in Yamagata Prefecture
Shirataka
Coordinates: 38°10′59.1″N 140°05′54.8″E / 38.183083°N 140.098556°E / 38.183083; 140.098556
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Yamagata
District	Nishiokitama
Area
• Total	157.74 km2 (60.90 sq mi)
Population  (February 2020)
• Total	13,482
• Density	85/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Kobushi Magnolia
- Bird	Hawk
-Fish	Ayu
Phone number	0238-85-2111
Address	833 Arata, Shirataka-chō, Yamagata-ken 992-0892
Website	Official website

Shirataka (白鷹町, Shirataka-machi) is a town located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020^[update], the town had an estimated population of 13,482 in 4730 households,^[1] and a population density of 85 persons per km². The total area of the town is 737.55 square kilometres (285 sq mi).

Geography

Shirataka is located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, with the Mogami River running through the center of town. The Asahi Mountains border the town to the east and west.

Neighboring municipalities

• Yamagata Prefecture
  • Nagai
  • Nan'yō
  • Yamanobe
  • Asahi

Climate

Shirataka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,^[2] the population of Shirataka has declined over the past 60 years.

History

The area of present-day Shirataka was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Shirataka was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on October 1, 1954 by merger with the neighboring town of Arata and villages of Higashine, Ayukai, Jūō, and Koguwa.

Economy

The economy of Shirataka is based on agriculture, with hops as a major cash crop.

Education

Shirataka has four public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

Yamagata Railway Company - Flower Nagai Line

• Koguwa - Ayukai - Shikinosato - Arato

Highway

• National Route 287
• National Route 348

Local attractions

• Kannon-ji Kannon-do (Important Cultural Property)