Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Shioya has declined over the past 70 years.

History

The villages of Tamanyu, Funyu, and Omiya were created within Shioya District of Tochigi Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. The three villages merged on March 31, 1957, to create the village of Shioya. Shioya was elevated to town status on February 11, 1965.

Government

Shioya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Shioya, together with the city of Sakura and town of Takanezawa collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Shioya is heavily dependent on agriculture, but is increasingly a bedroom community for the nearby cities of Utsunomiya and Nikkō.

Education

Shioya has three public primary schools, one public middle school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

  • Shioya does not have any passenger train service.

Highway

Local attractions

  • Shioya Onsen
  • Shojinzawa Yusui – one of the 100 famous springs of Japan

References

  • Official Website