Munakata, Fukuoka

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**Munakata**
**宗像市**
Munakata's location in Fukuoka, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Fukuoka
Physical characteristics
Area	119.66 km² (46.20 sq mi)
Population (as of April 2008)
Total	94,660
Density	791 /km² (2,049 /sq mi)
Location	33°48′N, 130°32′E
Symbols
Tree	Camphor laurel
Flower	Japanese lily
Flag
Munakata Government Office
Mayor	Hiromi Tanii
Address	〒811-3492 1-1-1, Tōgō, Munakata-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Phone number	0940-36-1121
Official website: City of Munakata

Munakata (宗像市, Munakata-shi^?) is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the North Chikuzen area. It has accomplished fast development focusing on the city of Akama which has been at the center of local politics and economics in recent years. Although it is considered as part of the wider Fukuoka city zone, the original economic bloc established in recent years is called Munakata city zone. Tourist attractions include Munakata Shrine, which is dedicated to a god of traffic safety. Heihachiro Togo and Ashikaga Takauji once worshipped there.

Efforts have been made to inculcate Japan-South Korea friendship, and also friendship with New Zealand in recent years.

As of April 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 94,660 and the density of 791 persons per km 2. The total area is 119.66 km².

The city was founded on April 1, 1981.

1 History
2 Origin
3 Sports facilities
4 External links

[edit] History

The area prospered by trade with China and Korea from ancient times. It has a world heritage candidate (Okinoshima) at Munakata Shrine. Munakata Shrine specifies itself as the territory of the god of Kyūshū during the Asuka period -- ranging from Ongagawa in the east, south to Wakamiya and Miyata, and Shingu cho in the west. During the age of civil wars a daimyo with leading Shinto priest and Munakata Ujisada of Munakata Shrine established Tsutagadake castle (Mount Jo). Through this, Munakata, Onga and Kurate were protected from invasion by other daimyos. (Dohsetsu Tachibana, Otomo). There are also ghost stories connected with the area since the Yamada incident arose.

It merged with the adjoining Genkai-cho on April 1, 2003 to create the new municipal organization.

Oshima-mura was included on March 28, 2005.

A little less than five on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was observed during the Genkainada earthquake generated on March 20, 2005 (Easter Sunday); damage was done in various parts of the city, including gravestones.

[edit] Origin

The origin of the name Munakata is said to be from "Minokatachi" or "Minokata" from the enshrinement of three Munakata goddesses, descended from Susano-O and mentioned in the Kojiki. When spoken with a local accent it becomes "Munakata."