Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Munakata (宗像市, Munakata-shi) is a city in Japan, located in Fukuoka Prefecture. As of 31 March 2024, the city had an estimated population density of 810 persons per km². The total area of the city is 119.94 km² (46.31 sq mi).

Geography Munakata is located in northern Fukuoka Prefecture, approximately halfway between Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City. It faces the Gulf of Hibiki and the Genkai Sea, and also includes inhabited islands of Oshima and Jijima, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Okinoshima offshore.

Mountains • Mt. Joyama (Mt. Tsurugatake) • Mt. Konomiyama • Mt. Hakuzan • Mt. Kodaishiyama • Mt. Yugawayama • Mt. Kanayama • Mt. Shintateyama.

Rivers • Tsuri river.

Neighboring municipalities Fukuoka Prefecture • Fukutsu • Miyawaka • Kurate • Okagaki • Koga.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Munakata in 2020 is 97,095 people. Munakata has been conducting censuses since 1950.

History The origin of the name Munakata is said to be from "Minokatachi" or "Minokata" from the enshrinement of three Munakata goddesses, descended from sword of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and mentioned in the Kojiki. It is believed to have been the site of the kingdom of Matsurokoku, one of the countries described in Wajinden, Liangshu and History of the Northern Dynasties, and is the first place where emissaries from China landed on the mainland of Wa. The area was part of ancient Chikugo Province, and prospered from trade with China and Korea from ancient times. From the Asuka period through the Sengoku period, Munakata Taisha controlled most of northern Kyūshū, with the Munakata clan ruling as temporal daimyō over what is now Onga in the east, south to Wakamiya and Miyata, and Shingū in the west. Munakata Ujisada of Munakata Shrine established Tsutagadake castle (Mount Jo) as a defense from invasion by other warlords such as Tachibana Dōsetsu and the Ōtomo clan. There are also ghost stories connected with the area since the Yamada incident arose. During the Edo Period much of the area was under the control of Fukuoka Domain.

After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Akama and Tōgō were established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Akama was raised to town status on June 25, 1898 and Tōgō on October 1, 1925, Both towns merged with the villages of Yoshitake, Nango, and Kawato in Munakata District to form the town of Munakata on April 1, 1954. Munakata was raised to city status on April 1, 1981. On April 1, 2003, Munakata annexed the town of Gekai, followed by the village of Ōshima on March 28, 2005.

In the earthquake on March 20, 2005, damage was done in various parts of the city. The quake registered just under five on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.

Government Munakata has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Munakata contributes two members to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukuoka 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Agriculture, commercial fishing and commerce are the mainstays of the local economy. Munakata belongs to both the Fukuoka metropolitan area and the Kitakyushu metropolitan area, and the commuter percentage is within 10% of both metropolitan areas. It continues to develop as a commuter town, and the population is increasing because it is located halfway between the two cities and has good transportation links. The city is rich in tourist resources, and is also home to Munakata Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is said to be the guardian deity of maritime and traffic safety.

Colleges and Universities • University of Teacher Education Fukuoka • The Japanese Red Cross Kyushu International College of Nursing • Tokai University Fukuoka Junior College.

Education: Primary and Secondary Munakata has 14 public elementary schools and six public junior high schools operated by the city government and one public combined middle/high schools operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school.

Transport: Rail JR Kyushu - Kagoshima Main Line

JA Kyōikudaimae - Akama - Tōgō

Transport: Road • Kyushu Expressway • National Route 3 • National Route 495.

Local attractions • Akama, historical district and city centre of Munakata. It contains rows of old houses belonging, along two now-ruined castles: Hakusan Castle and Tsutagadake Castle. • Taguma Ishihatake Site, National Historic Site • Sakurakyō Kofun, National Historic Site • Munakata Taisha

Sports facilities • Global Arena, which has hosted the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament since 2000 • Genkai Ground, which hosts the Munakata Sanix Blues rugby team.