Itoshima, Fukuoka

City in Kyushu, Japan

Itoshima Flag
Location of Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture

Symbols

Flower	Hibiscus hamabo
Tree	Maple

Itoshima (糸島市, Itoshima-shi) is a city located in western Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of April 2018, the city has an estimated population of 96,540, with 34,685 households and a population density of 454 persons per km². The total area is 216.12 km².^[1]

The modern city of Itoshima was established on January 1, 2010, from the merger of the city of Maebaru and the towns of Shima and Nijo (both from Itoshima district).

Geography

The city contains several mountains, islands, and moderately populated low-lying areas. Its highest point is Mt. Rai. It is bordered by Fukuoka to the east, the Genkai Sea to the north, and the Sefuri mountains to the south.

Climate

Itoshima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa). The average annual temperature in Itoshima is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,701.0 mm (66.97 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.6 °C (81.7 °F), and lowest in January, at around 6.2 °C (43.2 °F).^[2] The highest temperature ever recorded in Itoshima was 38.9 °C (102.0 °F) on 5 August 2017; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −4.7 °C (23.5 °F) on 28 February 1981.^[3]

Climate data for Maebaru, Itoshima (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	20.4 (68.7)	23.7 (74.7)	26.2 (79.2)	30.4 (86.7)	33.0 (91.4)	34.6 (94.3)	36.8 (98.2)	38.9 (102.0)	37.4 (99.3)	34.0 (93.2)	27.9 (82.2)	25.9 (78.6)	38.9 (102.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	9.9 (49.8)	11.2 (52.2)	14.4 (57.9)	19.4 (66.9)	24.1 (75.4)	26.9 (80.4)	30.7 (87.3)	31.8 (89.2)	28.0 (82.4)	23.2 (73.8)	17.8 (64.0)	12.4 (54.3)	20.8 (69.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	6.2 (43.2)	7.0 (44.6)	9.9 (49.8)	14.4 (57.9)	19.0 (66.2)	22.6 (72.7)	26.8 (80.2)	27.6 (81.7)	23.7 (74.7)	18.6 (65.5)	13.2 (55.8)	8.2 (46.8)	16.4 (61.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	2.2 (36.0)	2.6 (36.7)	5.2 (41.4)	9.3 (48.7)	14.2 (57.6)	19.0 (66.2)	23.6 (74.5)	24.1 (75.4)	20.1 (68.2)	14.1 (57.4)	8.5 (47.3)	3.8 (38.8)	12.2 (54.0)
Record low °C (°F)	−4.5 (23.9)	−4.7 (23.5)	−3.0 (26.6)	−0.6 (30.9)	4.6 (40.3)	8.2 (46.8)	15.3 (59.5)	17.0 (62.6)	8.0 (46.4)	2.6 (36.7)	−0.5 (31.1)	−3.9 (25.0)	−4.7 (23.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	78.8 (3.10)	73.2 (2.88)	109.1 (4.30)	116.9 (4.60)	123.4 (4.86)	243.3 (9.58)	294.1 (11.58)	211.0 (8.31)	188.0 (7.40)	95.0 (3.74)	96.8 (3.81)	71.6 (2.82)	1,701 (66.97)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	10.2	9.7	10.9	10.0	9.1	11.6	11.4	10.1	10.5	7.6	9.4	9.3	119.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours	103.4	120.2	158.9	186.9	198.3	136.8	174.9	202.9	162.0	171.5	132.3	104.2	1,852
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency^[2]^[3]

Adjacent municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Itoshima in 2020 is 98,877 people.^[4] Itoshima has been conducting censuses since 1920.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1920	41,064	—
1925	43,103	+5.0%
1930	44,881	+4.1%
1935	44,823	−0.1%
1940	45,533	+1.6%
1945	60,260	+32.3%
1950	60,809	+0.9%
1955	62,021	+2.0%
1960	59,549	−4.0%
1965	56,863	−4.5%
1970	56,204	−1.2%

Year	Pop.	±%
1975	59,697	+6.2%
1980	66,220	+10.9%
1985	73,649	+11.2%
1990	77,610	+5.4%
1995	88,691	+14.3%
2000	95,040	+7.2%
2005	97,974	+3.1%
2010	98,440	+0.5%
2015	96,475	−2.0%
2020	98,877	+2.5%

Itoshima population statistics^[4]

Culture & Tourism

Itoshima is known for its seaside resorts, beaches, and natural beauty. It is a popular site for surfing and hiking. A summer music festival, SUNSET LIVE, takes place each year.

Education

Universities

Kyushu University Ito Campus

Transportation

Railway

JR Kyushu
- Chikuhi Line: Hatae - Itoshimakōkō-mae - Chikuzen-Maebaru - Misakigaoka - Kafuri - Ikisan - Chikuzen-Fukae - Dainyū - Fukuyoshi - Shikaka

Highway

Notable people from Itoshima, Fukuoka

Dairoku Harada, Japanese archaeologist.
Ryuji Ichioka, Japanese professional baseball player (Pitcher - Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Central League, Nippon Professional Baseball).
Mariko Shinoda, Japanese singer, actress, fashion model, and former member of the Japanese idol group AKB48^[5]^[6]
Mako "Hakata Speedster" Yamada, Japanese kickboxer and former boxer.

References

^ "糸島市統計". April 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
^ ^a ^b 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
^ ^a ^b 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Itoshima population statistics
^ "Shinoda Mariko (篠田麻里子)". Viki.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
^ "篠田麻里子が福岡・糸島の母校へ！友人に上京することを伝えなかった理由は…?". NTV (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 December 2022.