Sōsa (匝瑳市, Sōsa-shi) is a city located in northeastern Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
As of April 2012, the city has an estimated population of 39,379 and a population density of 387 persons per km2. The total area is 101.78 km2.
Sōsa is located in far northeastern Chiba Prefecture. It is bordered to the north by the Pacific Ocean on the southwest. The land is mostly flat, and much is from 40–50 meters above sea level in average elevation.
The northern section, a mixture of valleys, ports and rice fields, consists of a plateau made up of complicated terrain and features. The southern half consists of flat terrain facing Kujūkuri Beach.
Through the center of the city runs both the Japan Railways (JR) Sōbu Main Line and Japan National Route 126, which run east-west. To the west of the center of Sosa is Japan National Route 296, which runs north-south.
Asahi, ChibaTako, ChibaKatori, ChibaYokoshibahikari, ChibaSōsa was founded on January 23, 2006 as a result of the merger between the former city of Yōkaichiba, and the former town of Nosaka (from Sōsa District).
1 June 1897 - Yōkaichiba Station opened.9 October 1946 - Service on Narita Railway Tako Line was discontinued.1 April 1970 - Japan National Route 296 was opened.23 January 2006 - Yōkaichiba City and Nosaka Town were merged to form Sosa City.Source: Japan Statistics Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / National Census (translated)
Sōsa is a regional commercial center whose economy is primarily agricultural. Sōsa is well known for growing trees that are sold all over Japan.
Cainz Home Super Center, Yōkaichiba (Includes Beisia supermarket)Ocean Mart 126 (shopping mall)Chiba Bank, Yōkaichiba BranchChiba Industrial Bank, Yōkaichiba BranchKeiyo Bank, Yōkaichiba BranchChoshi Credit Union, Yōkaichiba BranchSōsa Prefectural Public High School, Chiba PrefectureKeiai University Yōkaichiba High SchoolYōkaichiba Public Junior High School No. 1Yōkaichiba Public Junior High School No. 2Nosaka Public Junior High SchoolHeiwa Public Elementary SchoolChinkai Public Elementary SchoolYōkaichiba Public Elementary SchoolSosa Public Elementary SchoolToyosaka Public Elementary SchoolSuka Public Elementary SchoolKyoko Public Elementary SchoolYoshida Public Elementary SchoolIidaka Public Elementary SchoolToyowa Public Elementary SchoolSakae Public Elementary SchoolNoda Public Elementary SchoolJR East ■ Sōbu Main LineIigura - YōkaichibaPurple Line (to Toyosaka, Yoshida)Pink (to Idaka, Sosa)Orange (to Toyowa, Chinkai)Yellow (to Heiwa, Kyoko)Light Green (to Noda, Eastern-Suka)Light Blue (to Sakae, Western- Suka)JR Bus Kanto CompanyChiba KotsuYōkaichiba Bus Route (Tokyo Station - Sōsa City Hall)
Bus stops at the following areas:
Tokyo Station (Departing from Tokyo Station: Yaesu Entrance, Arriving at Tokyo Station: Nihonbashi Entrance)Tomisato Bus TerminalTomisato Nanae SquareRadison HotelSanrizuka ParkJitaku (Residential) EntranceKuko Hakubutsukan (Aviation Museum)ShiromasuSomeiTakoTako Michi no Eki (Road Station)YoshidaJR Bus- Yōkaichiba BranchJR Yōkaichiba StationSōsa City HallChoshi-Chiba-Makuhari Route
Bus stops at the following areas:
License (Menkyo) CenterJR Kaihimmakuhari StationChiba Minato Station (Monorail)Chiba Central Station (Keisei)JR Chiba StationChuo 3 Chome (Central District 3)Matsuo-Yokoshiba IC (Highway Interchange)MatsuoYokoshibaIiguraYokaichibaSosa City HallJR Higata StationAsahiUnakamiIioka Health and Welfare CenterIiokaKousoku YagiKousoku ObamaKousoku MisakichoToshibaJinyachoJapan National Route 126Japan National Route 296Main artery roads
Chiba Prefectural Road 16, Sawara – Yōkaichiba LineChiba Prefectural Road 30, Iioka – Ichinomiya LineChiba Prefectural Road 45, Yōkaichiba – Yachimata LineChiba Prefectural Road 48, Yōkaichiba – Nosaka LineChiba Prefectural Road 49, Yōkaichiba – Sakae LineChiba Prefectural Road 74, Tako – Sasamoto LineGeneral roads
Chiba Prefectural Road 104, Yokaichiba – Idono – Asahi LineChiba Prefectural Road 106, Yokaichiba – Sawara LineChiba Prefectural Road 109, Yokoshiba Depot – Yoshida LineChiba Prefectural Road 114, Yokaichiba – Yamada LineChiba Prefectural Road 122, Iioka – Katakai LineChiba Prefectural Road 149, Yōkaichiba – Fuma LineChiba Prefectural Road 212, Yōkaichiba Depot LineChiba Prefectural Road 299, Heiwa – Kyoko LineFarm roads
Toso Region Farm RoadsChoshi Renraku Road
Currently the above road is not within city limits, but according to plans, the Yōkaichiba IC (Interchange) is planned for construction. The plan is to extend the road from Yokoshiba-Hikari IC area toward the city of Choshi.Oio Shrine which dates back to Emperor Sujin Era, Year 7 (258 AD)Iidaka Temple (known locally as “Iidaka Danrin (ato)”)Chōtoku TempleChōfuku Temple (in Kawamukai area)Shingon-Chisan, Buddhist Sect (Setsubun Buddhist Mass is held every new year)Suka Eastern Orthodox ChurchExhibition and community areas
Matsuyama Art MuseumFureai Koen (Park)- YōkaichibaFormally named the “Municipal and Agricultural Exchange Terminal Community Park of Yōkaichiba”, Sosa City established and controls this institution for the promotion of activity in local industry with the intention of exchange between the municipal and the agricultural parts of the city.Horikawa-hama (Beach) Swimming AreaAt a shoreline of roughly 150m, this beach area's waves are calm compared to nearby Kujukuri Beach.Odaka Hadaka Matsuri (early January)Jinkumi Lion Dance (every January)Yōkaichiba Bon Festival Dance(Yaegaki Shrine) Gion Festival (every August 4 & 5)Yokappe Festival (every October)Kan Kase (former member, Japanese National Diet)Takeo Chii (actor, local promoter)Nobuko Sakuma (actress, fashion model)Arekisanda Oryō (Comedian)Yumiko Kobayashi (voice actress)Shigeya Iijima (baseball player, Japan professional league)Masaru Uno (baseball player, Japan professional league)Nichirō (Buddhist prelate, Kamakura Era)
