Saito (西都市) is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 28,538 in 13964 households, and a population density of 65 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 438.79 km2.

Geography

Saito is the 5th largest city in the Miyazaki prefecture. 70% of the city is mountainous, and the Hitotsuse River cuts through the city from northwest to southeast. Many other smaller streams cut through the valleys in Saito. Much of the city is covered by mountains and forest (approximately 80%).

Neighboring municipalities

Miyazaki Prefecture

Climate

Saito has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Saito is 17.2 C. The average annual rainfall is 2547.3 mm with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.4 C, and lowest in January, at around 6.8 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Saito was 38.4 C on 31 July 2013; the coldest temperature ever recorded was -7.7 C on 27 February 1981.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Saito in 2020 is 28,610 people. Saito has been conducting censuses since 1920.

History

The area of Saito was part of ancient Hyūga Province. Per the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu's grandson Ninigi descended from the heavens to Mount Takachiho, and resided in what is now Saito. The area was densely populated in the Kofun period and has the largest accumulation of ancient burial mounds in Japan. During the Asuka and Nara periods, the Hyūga Provincial Capital and Hyūga Kokubun-ji were located in what is now the center of Saito City. During the Muromachi period the Ito clan ruled the area from their stronghold at Tonokōri Castle in the southern part of the city. During the Edo period, the area was largely divided between the holdings of Takanabe Domain and Sadowara Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the area was organized into villages within Koyu District, Miyazaki on May 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Translated from the Saito Homepage

Government

Saito has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Saito and the village of Nishimera collectively contribute one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The city's economy is centered on agriculture. The agricultural products of Saito include green peppers, cucumbers and sweet corn.

Education

Saito has eight public elementary schools, and six public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one five public high school operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railways

Saito does not have any passenger railway service since the discontinuation of the JNR Tsuma Line on December 1, 1984. The nearest stations are Sadowara Station Hyūga-Shintomi Station, and Takanabe Station, all of which are on the JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line, and all of which are approximately 30 minutes by car from the city center.

Highways

Local attractions

Festivals and traditions

Notable natives

Sister cities