Population 12,015 (31 Dec 2009) | Local time Monday 6:31 AM | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Weather 5°C, Wind E at 3 km/h, 99% Humidity Points of interest Aso Farm Land, Minami Aso Luna Observatory, Shioisha water source, Kannon Sakura, Myōjinikemeisui Park | ||
Minamiaso (南阿蘇村, Minamiaso-mura, literally "South Aso") is a village in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
Contents
- Map of Minamiaso Aso District Kumamoto Prefecture Japan
- History
- Merger
- Education
- Junior high schools
- Junior High School Merger
- Elementary schools
- Rail
- References
Map of Minamiaso, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
It was formed on February 13, 2005 from the merger of the villages of Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. Neighbouring towns are Takamori, Ōzu, and Nishihara.
As of December 31, 2009, the village has an estimated population of 12,015 (5,776 male, 6,239 female) and a population density of 91.2 persons per km². The total area is 137.30 km².
History
Minamiaso is situated within Aso Caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. For more information, refer to the entry on Mt. Aso.
Minamiaso was once three separate villages: Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. In 2005, it was decided that these villages would merge along with neighboring area Tateno to become Minamiaso village, which would stretch between Ōzu and Takamori.
Merger
Due to declining birth rate, aging population and the opportunity to share administrative resources, discussions between the three villages (Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino) began on April 1, 2003. The merger was complete on February 13, 2005.
Education
There are no public high schools in Minamiaso.
Junior high schools
Junior High School Merger
At the beginning of 2016, due to declining student numbers, the three junior high schools merged into a single school, named simply "Minamiaso Junior High School". Chōyō Junior High School was chosen as the new location to host the students and staff.
Elementary schools
Rail
Trains going to Ōzu, Miyaji (Aso City) or non-express trains bound for Oita will stop at Tateno Station. Those trains bound for Ōzu will end their journey there and connecting train will be waiting at the adjacent platform. A change will also need to be made at Tateno to the Minamiaso Tetsudou line, which is not a JR line so JR Rail Passes will not be valid. From Tateno to Chōyō (the first station in Minamiaso-mura) costs 230 yen. Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the train line is not in operation and is currently receiving repairs (as of 27th January 2017).