Shiraoka, Saitama Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Shiraoka (白岡市, Shiraoka-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The city had an estimated population density of 2,100 persons per km². The total area of the city is 24.92 square km (9.62 sq mi).

Geography Shiraoka is located slightly south of the centre of the Kanto Plain in the flatlands eastern Saitama Prefecture and has an almost flat terrain. The highest point in the city is 16 meters above sea level. The Motoara River runs along the city border with Hasuda. Shiraoka is approximately 40 km from downtown Tokyo.,

Surrounding municipalities Saitama Prefecture ◦ Kasukabe; ◦ Saitama; ◦ Kuki; ◦ Hasuda; ◦ Miyoshi.

History The villages of Shinozu and Oyama were created within Minamisaitama District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On September 1, 1965, Shinozu and the neighboring village of Hikachi, together with a part of Oyama merged to form the town of Shiraoka. Shiraoka was elevated to city status on October 1, 2012.

Government Shiraoka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Shiraoka, together with the town of Miyashiro, contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 13th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Shiraoka remains primarily an agricultural community; however due to its location, it is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for neighboring Saitama City and the Tokyo metropolis.

Education

Shiraoka has six public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail JR East – Utsunomiya Line • Shiraoka - Shin-Shiraoka.

Transport: Road • Ken-Ō Expressway • Tōhoku Expressway • National Route 122.

Local attractions • Shiraoka Hachiman-gu.