Sano (佐野市) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 117,669, in 52,066 households and a population density of 330 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 356.04 sqkm. The city is known for its Outlet Mall, Sano Yakuyoke Daishi Temple, and its local variety of ramen, Sano Ramen. More recently, Sano has gained international recognition for being the home of cricket in Japan.

Geography

Sano is located in the northern Kantō plain, in southwestern Tochigi Prefecture, bordered by Gunma Prefecture to the west. The location river boundary connected by Tochigi.

Surrounding municipalities

Gunma Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture

Climate

Sano has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sano is 14.5 C. The average annual rainfall is 1258.0 mm with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 C, and lowest in January, at around 3.2 C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Sano peaked around 1990 and has declined since.

History

During the Edo period, Sano was a castle town and the seat of the daimyō of Sano Domain. Following the Meiji Restoration, the town of Sano was created within Aso District, Tochigi with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.Sano was elevated to city status on April 1, 1943, when it merged with the neighboring towns of Inubushi and Horigome and the villages of Sakai and Hatagawa. The city annexed the village of Inazuma (from Ashikaga District) on January 1, 1955, followed by the town of Akami(from Aso District) on April 1, 1955. On February 28, 2005, Sano absorbed the towns of Kuzu and Tanuma (both from Aso District).

Government

Sano has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members. Sano contributes three members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tochigi 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Agriculture and light manufacturing are mainstays of the local economy, with production of Kanpyō, turmeric and spinach being prominent local crops. The city is increasingly a commuter town for neighboring Utsunomiya.

Education

Sports

Sano has become the headquarter of the Japan Cricket Association and has hosted a number of cricket matches between international teams. On 22 March 2016, it was announced that Sano would be home to the Sano International Cricket Ground, which will become Japan's first dedicated cricketing venue built for purpose which no longer has to compete with other sports for usage.

Transportation

Railway

JR East – Ryōmō Line Tōbu Railway – Tōbu Sano Line

Highway

Bus

Local attractions

International relations

Notable people from Sano