Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Tosu (鳥栖市, Tosu-shi) is a city located in the eastern part of Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. As of February 28, 2017, the city has an estimated population density of 1,000 persons per km². The total area is 71.73 km².

Overview Tosu is one of the major transportation hubs of Kyushu. Its main train station is Tosu Station which connects the Nagasaki Main Line and the Kagoshima Main Line. There is also a junction connecting the Kyūshū Expressway, Nagasaki Expressway and Ōita Expressway. Economically it is part of the Fukuoka metropolitan area, and according to a 2000 census about 5% of the total population of Tosu commute to work or school in Fukuoka.

Geography Located in the Saga Plains, the Chikushi River runs along the southern border of Tosu. The lowlands are used for paddy farming and are where the city centre is located. The north-western part of the city contains the eastern part of the Sefuri Mountaians.

Mountains • Mount Kusenbu (848 m) • Mount Ishidani (754 m) • Shiroyama (501 m).

Rivers • Akimitsu River • Ara River • Chikugo River • Daigi River • Hōman River • Yamashita River.

Dams • Kawachi Dam.

Adjoining municipalities Saga Prefecture ◦ Kiyama; ◦ Miyaki; • Fukuoka Prefecture ◦ Chikushino; ◦ Kurume; ◦ Nakagawa; ◦ Ogōri.

History • 1874 - Saga Rebellion. A battle between the government troops and the rebel army occurred on Mount Asahi. • 1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system iwas established. At this time Tosu consists of five separate villages: (Asahi, Fumoto, Kizato, Tashiro and Todoroki). • 1907-03-19 - Todoroki was elevated town status and was renamed Tosu. • 1936-03-11 - Tashiro was elevated to town status. • 1954-04-01 - Tosu Town absorbed Tashiro Town and Asahi, Fumoto and Kizato Villages to create Tosu City.

Education Junior colleges • Kyushu Ryukoku Junior College; Senior high schools • Tosu Senior High School • Tosu Technical High School • Tosu Commercial High School; Junior high schools • Kounan Junior High School • Tosu Junior High School • Tosu Nishi Junior High School • Tashiro Junior High School • Kizato Junior High School; Elementary schools • Tosu Elementary School • Tosu Kita Elementary School • Tashiro Elementary School • Kizato Elementary School • Fumoto Elementary School • Asahi Elementary School • Wakaba Elementary School.

Transport: Rail The main station is Tosu Station. The Kyushu Shinkansen stops at Shin-Tosu Station. • Kyushu Shinkansen; ◦ Shin-Tosu Station • Kagoshima Main Line; ◦ Yayoigaoka Station - Tashiro Station - Tosu Station - Hizen-Asahi Station • Nagasaki Main Line; ◦ Tosu Station - Shin-Tosu Station - Hizen-Fumoto Station.

Transport: Road • Expressways ◦ Kyushu Expressway: Tosu Junction and Tosu Interchange; ◦ Nagasaki Expressway: Tosu Junction and Tosu Interchange; ◦ Ōita Expressway: Tosu Junction; National highways ◦ Route 3; ◦ Route 34; ◦ Route 500; Prefectural roads: ◦ Tosu-Asakura Route 14; ◦ Kurume-Kiyama-Chikushino Route 17; ◦ Saga-Kawakubo-Tosu Route 31.

Scenic and historic places • Chikushi family Katsuo Castle ruins • Mount Asahi castle ruins • Best Amenity Stadium.

Sightseeing spots • Azumaya • Kawachi Dam area; ◦ Torigoe and Yamabiko mountain retreats; ◦ Shimin no mori; ◦ Kawachi swimming pool; • Mount Asahi Park • Mount Kusenbu; ◦ Kyushu Nature Walk • Nakatomi Commemorative Medicine Museum • Ochōzu waterfall; ◦ Numakawa swimming pool • Saga racecourse • Tashiro Park • Tosu Premium Outlets.

Festivals and events • Tosu Yayoi Matsuri (last Sunday of March) • Hana no hi (May 4) • Tori no hi (Sunday between May 10 and May 16) • Matsuri Tosu (last Sunday of July) • Tosu Yamakasa (first Saturday and Sunday of summer vacation) • Doyō Yoichi (Saturday night market, end of July).

Sport • Sagan Tosu - in J. League football • Hisamitsu Springs - in V. League volleyball • Yuka Kobayashi - in Girls Keirin keirin.