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Sōka, Saitama

Sōka
草加市
Special city
Sōka City office
Sōka City office
Flag of Sōka
Flag
Official seal of Sōka
Seal
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Sōka is located in Japan
Sōka
Sōka
Location of Sōka in Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E / 35.825389°N 139.805333°E / 35.825389; 139.805333Coordinates: 35°49′31.4″N 139°48′19.2″E / 35.825389°N 139.805333°E / 35.825389; 139.805333
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Saitama Prefecture
Area
 • Total 27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi)
Population (February 2016)
 • Total 247,165
 • Density 9,000/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Pinus
- Flower Chrysanthemum
Phone number 048-922-0151
Address 1-1-1 Takasago, Soka-shi, Saitama-ken 840-8550
Website Official website

Sōka (草加市 Sōka-shi?) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, in the central Kantō region of Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 247,165 and a population density of 9000 persons per km². Its total area was 27.46 square kilometres (10.60 sq mi).

Situated in the southeast corner of Saitama Prefecture approximately 30 kilometers away from Tokyo. Sōka is surrounded to the east by the cities of Yashio, Misato and Yoshikawa, and to the west by Kawaguchi. To the north is Koshigaya and to the south Adachi Ward of Metropolitan Tokyo.

Sōka, once a peaceful agricultural area surrounded by water and greenery, lies in the Nakagawa-ayase basin, an area referred to as the Nakagawa-teichi district. This alluvial plain spreads over the central part of the Kanto Plain. As a result of urbanization, the once abundant greenery and clean water was adversely affected. Now, Sōka is promoting a "town of greenery and water based on history and the natural features of the area". Creation of areas of greenery reflecting the changes of the four seasons, and the restoration of waterways and environs is being advanced.

During the Edo period, Sōka-shuku developed as a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō highway. The town of was Sōka created within Kitaadachi District, Saitama with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It annexed the neighboring villages of Yatsuka and Shinden on January 1, 1955, followed by the village of Kawayanagi on August 1, 1955. On November 1, 1955, Sōka was elevated to city status. Following this, rapid population expansion and urbanization took hold due to strong economic growth which was fueled by its proximity to Tokyo. The city was proclaimed a tokureishi on April 1, 2004 with increased local autonomy.


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