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Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E / 35.825389°N 139.805333°E / 35.825389; 139.805333
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{{About|the city in Japan|the village in Burkina Faso|Souka, Burkina Faso|the town of ancient Bithynia|Soka (Bithynia)|Estonian lake|Lake Soka}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{about|the city in Japan|the village in Burkina Faso|Souka, Burkina Faso}}
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
{{Infobox city Japan
| name = Sōka
| name = Sōka
| official_name=
| official_name =
| JapaneseName= {{nobold|{{lang|ja|草加市}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|草加市}}}}
| settlement_type= [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
| settlement_type = [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_flag= Flag of Soka, Saitama.png
| image_skyline = Soka City Hall-1.jpg
| image_map= Soka in Saitama Prefecture Ja.svg
| imagesize =
| lat_deg= 35
| image_alt =
| lat_min= 50
| image_caption = Sōka City office
| lat_sec=
| image_flag = Flag of Soka, Saitama.svg
| lon_deg= 139
| flag_alt =
| lon_min= 48
| image_seal = Emblem of Soka, Saitama.svg
| lon_sec=
| seal_alt =
| region=[[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| image_shield =
| prefecture=[[Saitama Prefecture]]
| shield_alt =
| mayor = Kazuaki Tanaka (elected in December 2010, and office in January 2011)
| image_blank_emblem =
| area_km2=27.42
| nickname =
| population=243,111
| motto =
| population_as_of=October 1, 2010
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| density_km2=8866.19
| image_map = Soka in Saitama Prefecture Ja.svg
| postal_code=
| map_alt =
| area_code=
| map_caption = Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
| tree = [[Pinus]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
| flower = [[Chrysanthemum]]
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| bird =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| city_hall_address= 1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Sōka in Japan
| city_hall_postal_code = 840-8550
| coordinates = {{coord|35|49|31.4|N|139|48|19.2|E|region:JP-11|display=it}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp}}
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
<!-- established -->
| established_title = First official recorded
| established_date = mid 3rd century AD (official){{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
| established_title2 = Town settled
| established_date2 = April 1, 1889
| established_title3 = City settled
| established_date3 = November 1, 1958
| founder =
| named_for =
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[:ja:浅井昌志|Masashi Asai]] (from October 2018)
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
<!-- display settings -->
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref = <!-- enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric -->
<!-- area -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 27.46
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m =
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 249645
| population_as_of = February 2021
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = <!-- demonym, ie. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City Symbols
| blank1_name_sec1 = - Tree
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Pinus]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = - Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Chrysanthemum]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = - Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_info_sec2 = 048-922-0151
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 =1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken 840-8550
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp}}
| footnotes =
}}
}}
[[File:草加松原1.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Sōka Matsubara]]


{{nihongo|'''Sōka'''|草加市|Sōka-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Saitama Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. The city was founded on November 1, 1958.
{{Nihongo|'''Sōka'''|草加市|Sōka-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] in [[Saitama Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2021|02|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 249,645 in 118,129 households and a [[population density]] of 9100 persons per km².<ref name="Sōka-hp">{{cite web |url=http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp/cont/s1301/030/020/010/030/01.html |title= Sōka city official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|27.46|sqkm|sqmi}}.


==Geography==
As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 243,111 and a [[population density]] of 8,866.19 persons per km². The total area is {{convert|27.42|km²|2|abbr=on}}.
Sōka is situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture approximately 30 kilometers away from downtown Tokyo. It is surrounded to the east by the cities of Yashio, Misato and Yoshikawa, and to the west by Kawaguchi. To the north is Koshigaya and to the south Adachi Ward of Metropolitan Tokyo.The city is in the center of the [[Kanto Plain]] and is mostly lowland with an elevation of only three meters above sea level. The Ayase River flows through the city, which was subject to frequent flooding despite various flood control measures taken since the [[Edo Period]].


Sōka was once a peaceful agricultural area surrounded by water and greenery, but as a result of urbanization, the once abundant greenery and clean water was adversely affected. Now, Sōka is promoting a "town of greenery and water based on history and the natural features of the area". Creation of areas of greenery reflecting the changes of the four seasons, and the restoration of waterways and environs is being advanced.
== Geography ==
Situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture, Sōka is surrounded to the east by the cities of Yashio, Misato and Yoshikawa, and to the west by Kawaguchi. To the north is Koshigaya City and to the south Adachi City of Metropolitan Tokyo. It is approximately 30 kilometers away from Tokyo.


===Surrounding municipalities===
Sōka, once a peaceful agricultural area surrounded by water and greenery, lies in the Nakagawa-ayase basin, an area referred to as the Nakagawa-teichi district. This alluvial plain spreads over the central part of the Kanto Plain. As a result of urbanization, the once abundant greenery and clean water was adversely affected. Now, Sōka is promoting a "town of greenery and water based on history and the natural features of the area". Creation of areas of greenery reflecting the changes of the four seasons, and the restoration of waterways and environs is being advanced.
* [[Saitama Prefecture]]
** [[Koshigaya, Saitama|Koshigaya]]
** [[Kawaguchi, Saitama|Kawaguchi]]
** [[Misato, Saitama (city)|Misato]]
** [[Yashio, Saitama|Yashio]]
** [[Yoshikawa, Saitama|Yoshikawa]]
* [[Tokyo]]
** [[Adachi, Tokyo|Adachi]]


===Climate===
On November 1, 1958 Soka was incorporated as a city with a population of 34,878. Following this, rapid population expansion and urbanization took hold due to strong economic growth which was fueled by its proximity to Tokyo.
Sōka has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sōka is 14.9&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1482&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 3.4&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/saitama/soka-5655/ Sōka climate data]</ref>


==Demographics==
==International relations==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-saitama.php Sōka population statistics]</ref> the population of Sōka has increased rapidly from the 1960s due to the construction of [[new town]]s and large-scale public housing complexes, together with the completion of highways and rail lines providing access to downtown Tokyo.
{{see also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan}}


{{Historical populations
===Twin towns — Sister cities===
| 1960 | 38,533
Sōka is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}
| 1970 | 123,269
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Carson, California]], United States (1979)
| 1980 | 186,618
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Shōwa, Fukushima]], Japan (1985)
| 1990 | 206,132
* {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Anyang]], China (1998)
| 2000 | 225,018
| 2010 | 243,855
| 2020 | 248,304
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==History==
The area of Sōka has been settled since at least the late [[Yayoi period|Yayoi]] to early [[Kofun period]], as evidenced by numerous [[kofun|burial mounds]] from 250-400 AD found within the city borders. In the [[Nara period]], it became part of [[Musashi Province]]. In the Kamakura period, per the ''[[Azuma Kagami]]'', large areas were under control of [[Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu]] in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]. The name "Sōka" first appears in historical documents in 1573. During the [[Edo period]], the area was [[tenryo]] territory under the direct control of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] and Sōka-shuku developed as a [[shukuba|post station]] on the [[Nikkō Kaidō]] highway from 1630. Following the [[Meiji restoration]], the area became part of [[Kitaadachi District, Saitama]] and Sōka Town was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.<ref name="Sōka-hp2">[http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp/mb/shoukai/01.htmlSōka home page on history of Sōka] {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

Sōka annexed the neighboring villages of Yatsuka and Shinden on January 1, 1955, followed by the village of Kawayanagi on August 1, 1955. On November 1, 1955, Sōka was elevated to city status. Following this, rapid population expansion and urbanization took hold due to strong economic growth which was fueled by its proximity to Tokyo. The city was proclaimed a [[Special cities of Japan|''tokureishi'']] on April 1, 2004 with increased local autonomy.<ref name="Sōka-hp2"/>

==Government==
Sōka has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city council of 28 members. Sōka contributes three members to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of [[Saitama 3rd district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
[[File:Miso senbei, omiyage from Sōka.jpg|thumb|Miso senbei from Sōka]]
Sōka traditionally is known for its [[rice cracker]], the ''Sōka senbei''.<ref>[http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp/cont/s1403/010/010/020/01.html Sōka home page on history of Sōka senbei] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> However, agriculture and food processing form a minor portion of the local economy, which is heavily industrialized. The city is increasingly becoming a [[commuter town]] for Tokyo Metropolis.

==Education==
*[[Dokkyo University]]
*Sōka has 21 public elementary schools and 11 public middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education. In addition, the prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
[[File:Tōbu Tetsudō Logo.svg|40px]] [[Tōbu Railway]] - [[Tobu Skytree Line]]
* {{STN|Yatsuka }} - {{STN|Sōka}} - {{STN|Dokkyodaigakumae}} - {{STN|Shinden|Saitama}}

===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|C3|dab1=TG}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|4}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|298}}

==Twin towns and sister cities==
Sōka is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagdeco|US}} [[Carson, California]], United States, since November 19, 1985
* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Shōwa, Fukushima]], Japan, friendship city since 1985
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Anyang]], [[Henan]], China,<ref name=International>{{cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=11&n=Saitama%20Prefecture|title=International Exchange|work=List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures|publisher=Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)|language=English|access-date=21 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104170705/http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=11&n=Saitama%20Prefecture|archive-date=4 January 2016|df=}}</ref> since November 1, 1988

==Local attractions==
* Sōka Matsubara

==Notable people from Sōka ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2017}}
*[[Hiroshi Imai]], politician
*[[Yōko Honna]], voice actress
*[[Yumi Morio]], actress
*[[Kenta Kobayashi]], wrestler
*[[Tatsuya Yamaguchi (actor)|Tatsuya Yamaguchi]], musician
*[[Kazuki Hashimoto]], wrestler

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Soka, Saitama}}
*{{url|http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp|Sōka City official website}} {{ja icon}}
*[http://www.city.soka.saitama.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}


{{Saitama}}
{{Saitama}}

{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Most populous cities in Japan}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Soka, Saitama}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soka, Saitama}}
[[Category:Sōka| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Saitama Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Saitama Prefecture]]

Latest revision as of 06:04, 6 February 2024

This article is about the city in Japan. For the village in Burkina Faso, see Souka, Burkina Faso. For the town of ancient Bithynia, see Soka (Bithynia). For Estonian lake, see Lake Soka.
Sōka
草加市
Special city
Sōka City office
Sōka City office
Flag of Sōka
Flag
Official seal of Sōka
Seal
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Sōka is located in Japan
Sōka
Sōka
Location of Sōka in Japan
Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E / 35.825389°N 139.805333°E / 35.825389; 139.805333
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureSaitama
First official recordedmid 3rd century AD (official)[citation needed]
Town settledApril 1, 1889
City settledNovember 1, 1958
Government
 • MayorMasashi Asai (from October 2018)
Area
 • Total27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2021)
 • Total249,645
 • Density9,100/km2 (24,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreePinus
- FlowerChrysanthemum
Phone number048-922-0151
Address1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken 840-8550
WebsiteOfficial website
Sōka Matsubara

Sōka (草加市, Sōka-shi) is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2021, the city had an estimated population of 249,645 in 118,129 households and a population density of 9100 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city is 27.46 square kilometres (10.60 sq mi).

Geography[edit]

Sōka is situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture approximately 30 kilometers away from downtown Tokyo. It is surrounded to the east by the cities of Yashio, Misato and Yoshikawa, and to the west by Kawaguchi. To the north is Koshigaya and to the south Adachi Ward of Metropolitan Tokyo.The city is in the center of the Kanto Plain and is mostly lowland with an elevation of only three meters above sea level. The Ayase River flows through the city, which was subject to frequent flooding despite various flood control measures taken since the Edo Period.

Sōka was once a peaceful agricultural area surrounded by water and greenery, but as a result of urbanization, the once abundant greenery and clean water was adversely affected. Now, Sōka is promoting a "town of greenery and water based on history and the natural features of the area". Creation of areas of greenery reflecting the changes of the four seasons, and the restoration of waterways and environs is being advanced.

Surrounding municipalities[edit]

Climate[edit]

Sōka has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sōka is 14.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1482 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.4 °C.[2]

Demographics[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Sōka has increased rapidly from the 1960s due to the construction of new towns and large-scale public housing complexes, together with the completion of highways and rail lines providing access to downtown Tokyo.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 38,533—    
1970 123,269+219.9%
1980 186,618+51.4%
1990 206,132+10.5%
2000 225,018+9.2%
2010 243,855+8.4%
2020 248,304+1.8%

History[edit]

The area of Sōka has been settled since at least the late Yayoi to early Kofun period, as evidenced by numerous burial mounds from 250-400 AD found within the city borders. In the Nara period, it became part of Musashi Province. In the Kamakura period, per the Azuma Kagami, large areas were under control of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu in Kamakura. The name "Sōka" first appears in historical documents in 1573. During the Edo period, the area was tenryo territory under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate and Sōka-shuku developed as a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō highway from 1630. Following the Meiji restoration, the area became part of Kitaadachi District, Saitama and Sōka Town was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.[4]

Sōka annexed the neighboring villages of Yatsuka and Shinden on January 1, 1955, followed by the village of Kawayanagi on August 1, 1955. On November 1, 1955, Sōka was elevated to city status. Following this, rapid population expansion and urbanization took hold due to strong economic growth which was fueled by its proximity to Tokyo. The city was proclaimed a tokureishi on April 1, 2004 with increased local autonomy.[4]

Government[edit]

Sōka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 28 members. Sōka contributes three members to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy[edit]

Miso senbei from Sōka

Sōka traditionally is known for its rice cracker, the Sōka senbei.[5] However, agriculture and food processing form a minor portion of the local economy, which is heavily industrialized. The city is increasingly becoming a commuter town for Tokyo Metropolis.

Education[edit]

  • Dokkyo University
  • Sōka has 21 public elementary schools and 11 public middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education. In addition, the prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation[edit]

Railway[edit]

Tōbu Railway - Tobu Skytree Line

Highway[edit]

Twin towns and sister cities[edit]

Sōka is twinned with:

Local attractions[edit]

  • Sōka Matsubara

Notable people from Sōka[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sōka city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Sōka climate data
  3. ^ Sōka population statistics
  4. ^ a b home page on history of Sōka (in Japanese)
  5. ^ Sōka home page on history of Sōka senbei (in Japanese)
  6. ^ "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soka, Saitama.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sōka&oldid=1204008933"