Sōka

This article is about the city in Japan. For the village in Burkina Faso, see Souka, Burkina Faso.

Sōka 草加市
Special city
Sōka City office
Flag Seal
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Sōka
Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Saitama Prefecture
Area
• Total	27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi)
Population  (February 2016)
• Total	247,165
• Density	9,000/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Pinus
- Flower	Chrysanthemum
Phone number	048-922-0151
Address	1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken 840-8550
Website	Official website

Sōka Matsubara

Sōka (草加市, Sōka-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, in the central Kantō region of Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 247,165 and a population density of 9000 persons per km². Its total area was 27.46 square kilometres (10.60 sq mi).

Geography

Situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture approximately 30 kilometers away from Tokyo. 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 and to the south Adachi Ward of Metropolitan Tokyo.

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.

Surrounding municipalities

• Saitama Prefecture
  • Koshigaya
  • Kawaguchi
  • Misato
  • Yashio
  • Yoshikawa
• Tokyo Metropolis
  • Adachi-ku

History

During the Edo period, Sōka-shuku developed as a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō highway. The town of was Sōka created within Kitaadachi District, Saitama with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It 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.

Economy

Sōka traditionally is known for its rice cracker, the Sōka senbei. However, agriculture and food processing form a minor portion of the local economy, which is heavily industrialized.

Education

• Dokkyo University
• Sōka has 21 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and four high school and one special education school.

Transportation

Railway

• Tobu Railway - Tobu Skytree Line
  • Yatsuka - Sōka - Matsubaradanchi - Saitama

Highway

• Tokyo Gaikan Expressway
• Japan National Route 4
• Japan National Route 298

Twin towns and sister cities

Sōka is twinned with:

• Carson, California, United States, since November 19, 1985
• Shōwa, Fukushima, Japan, friendship city since 1985
• Anyang, China, since November 1, 1988

Local attractions

• Sōka Matsubara

Noted people from Sōka

• Hiroshi Imai, politician
• Yōko Honna, voice actress
• Yumi Kawai, actress
• Kenta Kobayashi, wrestler
• Tatsuya Yamaguchi, musician

External links

• Official website Template:Ja icon