Country Japan Prefecture Chiba Prefecture - Tree Japanese black pine | Region Kantō District Chōsei | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
Shirako (白子町, Shirako-machi) is a town located in Chōsei District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010 data, the town had an estimated population of 11,852 and a population density of 432 persons per km². The total area was 27.46 km².
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Geography
Shirako is located on the Pacific coast of central Bōsō Peninsula, encompassing the area of the popular Kujukuri Beach. The area has a warm maritime climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Neighboring municipalities
History
The area of present-day Shirako had numerous fishing hamlets during the Edo period. It was incorporated into Chōsei District after the Meiji period cadastral reforms. The modern town of Shirako was created on February 11, 1955 from the merger of the town of Shirakata with neighboring villages of Seki and Nabaki. The name “Shirako” was adopted from a local Shinto shrine named Shirako Jinja, which claims to have been founded in the Heian period.
Economy
The primary industry of Shirako has traditionally been commercial fishing, however, the tourist and resort industry now dominates the local economy.
Railway
Shirako is not serviced by train.