Yusuhara, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Yusuhara (檮原町, Yusuhara-chō) is a town located in Takaoka District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2022, the town had an estimated population density of 14 persons per km².The total area of the town is 236.45 square km (91.29 sq mi).

Geography Yusuhara is located in the north-western part of Kōchi Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, at the western end of the Shikoku Mountains. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, forests cover 91% of the town's area.

Neighbouring municipalities Kōchi Prefecture • Tsuno • Shimanto; Ehime Prefecture • Seiyo • Kumakōgen • Kihoku.

History As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Yusuhara was part of ancient Tosa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kōchi Castle. The village of Yusuhara was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on November 4, 1966. It was designated as a "Environmental model city" in 2009.

Government Yusuhara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of seven members. Yusuhara, together with the municipalities of Nakatosa, Tsuno and Shimanto, contributes two members to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Kōchi 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Yusuhara is almost entirely agricultural and forestry. The town produces most of its own electricity via wind power, solar power and small hydroelectric turbines.

Education Yusuhara has one public combined elementary/middle school operated by the village government, and one public high school operated by the Kōchi Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail The town does not have any passenger railroad service. The nearest passenger railway station is Susaki Station in Susaki.

Transport: Road • National Route 197 • National Route 440.