Munakata, Fukuoka

Munakata 宗像市
City
Symbol
Location of Munakata in Fukuoka Prefecture
Munakata Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°48′N 130°32′E / 33.800°N 130.533°E / 33.800; 130.533Coordinates: 33°48′N 130°32′E / 33.800°N 130.533°E / 33.800; 130.533
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Fukuoka Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Hiromi Tanii
Area
• Total	119.66 km2 (46.20 sq mi)
Population (April 2008)
• Total	94,660
• Density	790/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Camphor laurel
• Flower	Japanese lily
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	1-1-1 Tōgō, Munakata-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-3492
Website	www.city.munakata.lg.jp

Munakata (宗像市, Munakata-shi^?) is a city in Japan, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the north Chikuzen region of the prefecture. The city was founded on April 1, 1981.

As of April 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 94,660 and a population density of 791 persons per km 2. The total area is 119.66 km².

Efforts have been made to inculcate Japan-South Korea friendship, and also friendship with New Zealand in recent years.

The origin of the name Munakata is said to be from "Minokatachi" or "Minokata" from the enshrinement of three Munakata goddesses, descended from Susanoo-no-Mikoto and mentioned in the Kojiki.

The area has prospered from trade with China and Korea from ancient times. It has a world heritage candidate (Okinoshima) at Munakata Shrine. Munakata Shrine specifies itself as the territory of the god of Kyūshū during the Asuka period — ranging from Onga in the east, south to Wakamiya and Miyata, and Shingū in the west. During the age of civil wars a daimyō with leading Shinto priest and Munakata Ujisada of Munakata Shrine established Tsutagadake castle (Mount Jo). Through this, Munakata, Onga and Kurate were protected from invasion by other daimyos such as Tachibana Dōsetsu and the Ōtomo clan. There are also ghost stories connected with the area since the Yamada incident arose.

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Wikipedia