Honjo

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Honjo (本荘; honjō) is the main city located in Yurihonjo City, Akita, Japan.

Contents

History

Honjo, located at the heart of Yurihonjo, is a city surrounded by hills (Dewa-kyuryo), plateaus (Yuri-hara) and the sea. It is believed that the area of Honjo was under the sea about 1,000,000 years ago and that its higher zones started gradually emerging some 500,000 years later. By 3000 B.C., some large villages had been formed at the foot of the Dewa-kyuryo.

The name Yuri appeared for the first time in Azumakagami, a book written around 1200. The Yuri clan was a powerful family who governed Nikaho, Yashima, Koyoshi and other neighbouring districts. Their territories, however, were confiscated by the government in 1213, and for the following 400 years up to 12 clans ruled over the area together.

In the early 17th century, the area was disputed between the government and the local clans. It finally became the property of the Rokugo clan from Ibaraki in 1623 and remained so for about 250 years.

There once was a castle in Honjo, located on the site of today's Honjo Park. As a matter of fact, the old way of writing Honjo, 本城, means "main castle". However this castle can no longer be seen as it was burnt down completely by the members of the Rokugo clan themselves at the end of their reign, in 1868.

On 1st April 1889, the district officially gained the name Honjo Town. On 31st March 1954, it merged with the villages of Koyoshi, Otomo, Ishizawa, Minami-utetsu, Kita-utetsu and Matsugazaki. Then, on 22nd March 2005, Honjo Town merged again with the towns of Chokai, Higashi Yuri, Iwaki, Nishime, Ouchi, Yashima and Yuri to form Yurihonjo city.

Sightseeing & Activities

  • Honjo Marina (本荘マリーナ).
  • Akata Giant Buddha (赤田大仏, Akata daibutsu). A large indoor standing buddha in Akata.　
  • Kofuen Sumo Ring (光風園相撲場, koufuen sumou jou). Located 5 minutes walk from Honjo Park, beside Tsurumai Baseball Park. This outdoor sumo ring was the first of it's kind in Akita.
  • Honjo Park (本荘公園, Honjō kōen). A large park in the center on Honjo. Each year there is a cherry blossom festival in April and an Azalea Festival in May.
  • Sanbouen (三望苑). A park and camping area located on the north side of Honjo. Because of its elevation there is amazing views over the ocean; a great location to watch the sun set. Open from May to October. Tel: 0184-23-4093. Location

Festivals

List of all Yurihonjo festivals

  • Naked Festival (裸参り hadaka maeri). This religious event takes place on the third Sunday in January each year. Groups of men and boys walk through the snow carrying various offerings to Shinzan Shrine in Honjo city.
  • Honjo Kite Flying Convention (本荘凧揚げ大会). This festival takes place on the third Sunday in January at Aquapal.
  • Ishiwaki Cellar Fair (石脇蔵の市). This event happens on the third Sunday in January at the Saiyashu Zouten. You can see how sake is made.
  • Honjo Sakura Festival (本荘さくらまつり). Every year many people go to Honjo Park to appreciate the beautiful cherry blossoms. Festival is from the middle to end of April.
  • Honjo Azalea Festival (本荘つつじまつり). Similar to the Sakura festival, but this time people appreciate Azaleas. This festival is from the middle to end of May.
  • Beach opening (海開き). The beach in Honjo opens around the middle of July.
  • Honjo Marina Sea Festival (本荘マリーナ海上祭). Takes place on the thirs Monday of July.
  • Shōbu Carnival (菖蒲カーニバル). This local festival is on Station street the 1st Friday in August every year.
  • Honjo Fireworks River Festival (本荘川まつり花火大会; honjou kawa matsuri hanabi taikai). This annual event takes place at Aquapal in Honjo on the first Saturday in August from 19:30 to 21:00.
  • Akata Chōkokuji Daibutsu Festival (赤田長谷寺大仏まつり). There is a festival here on 22nd August every year.
  • Honjo Oiwake National Convention (本荘追分全国大会). Honjo Oiwake is a famous folk (minyo) song in Yurihonjo. There is a national competition in Honjo every year at the end of September.
  • Hachiman Jinja Saiten Daimyo Gyoretsu (八幡神社祭典大名行列). This festival is held every year on the day (always Sunday) before Respect for the Aged Day.
  • Koyoshigawa Haze Fishing Convention (子吉川はぜ釣り大会). Haze is a type of goby fish. This happens on Autumnal equinox Day (usually 23rd September)
  • National Gotenmari Contest (全国ごてんまりコンクール). This festival is held every year at the start of November.

Restaurants

  • SamaSama. An Indonesian style restaurant open from Monday to Saturday 17:00~23:00; last order 22:30. Seats 40 people. Tel: 0184-23-0795
    Homepage
  • Ramen no Don (ラーメンのどん). Located in Tsurunuma(鶴沼38). Tel: 0184-23-5639
  • Kōyō (紅葉). A ramen restaurant located close to Elberts. Opening hours are 18:00~23:00. Tel: 0184-22-5049
  • Jūjū Tei (じゅうじゅう亭). A yakiniku restaurant located opposite the city hall. Opening hours are 11:30-14:00　and 17:00-21:30. Tel: 0184-24-1626

Izakayas

  • Zanmai Sushi Tokoro (三昧鮨処). 11：30-15:00 and 17:00-24:00. 由利本荘市岩渕下37.　Tel: 0184-28-4311. Homepage
  • Danmaya Suisan (だんまや水産). 17:00-24:00. 由利本荘市岩渕下 46. Tel: 0184-23-8846. Homepage
  • Tsurusen Kameman (鶴千亀万). 17:00-24:00. 由利本荘市岩淵下137. Tel: 0184-22-7794. Homepage
  • Gobando (五番堂). 17:30-24:00 (closed on Sun). 由利本荘市給人町20-8. Tel: 0184-44-8204. Homepage

Bars

  • The CASTAWAYS - Casual Bar (キャスタウェイズ). A friendly karaoke bar. It holds 30 people, and is open 19:30-2:00 every night. Location. No seating charge. Tel: 0184-23-4783.
  • Terminal. A new bar that holds about 30 people. Opening hours are Mon~Sat: 19:00-2:00 and Sun/Hol: 19:00 to midnight. It's located just beside 'Shot Bar Bless'. Tel: 0184-24-3525.
  • Gretna Greens. A dart bar near the JC.
  • Rounge Bar. A small bar located beside The CASTAWAYS bar.
  • COCO. This karaoke bar is a fixed price of ¥3,500 for men and ¥2,500 for women. You can drink and sing as much as you like from 7:30 to midnight.
  • Lucy's. A small bar with a very friendly barman, Mitch, who can speak a little English. Located in Nakadate machi. Tel: 0184-23-7670
  • Night In Pub SILK (ナイトインパブ　シルク). A darts bar with 2 darts boards, karaoke and the only pool table in Honjo! Tel: 0184 24 3487
  • Shot Bar BLESS. A surf themed shot bar. It holds 30 people, and is open 19:00-2:00 every night. It's located in Honjo, 10 minutes walk from the train station. Seating charge ¥500. Tel: 0184-23-7311.
  • Socket - Party circle (ソケット - Party サクル). A late bar situated directly above 'The CASTAWAYS'. Above the entrance to this bar 'Party' is spelled 'Praty'. This bar can hold about 50 people. Official opening hours are from 20:00-5:00, but it'll close earlier if there is not many there. This atmosphere in this bar often only gets going after 12am. Tel: 0184-22-0088.
  • Bar Razzle Dazzle (ラズル ダズル). A karaoke bar with a large screen. Seats about 35 people. Located in Honjo, 5 minutes from 'Shot Bar BLESS'. Seating charge ¥500, and songs cost ¥100 unless you choose the nomihoudai. Tel: 0184-22-3826.

Shopping

  • Honjo Market (本荘駅前市場). An early morning market open from 4am to 7am, Monday to Saturday. Located on Station street. Tel: 0184-22-5821

Onsens

  • Tsurumai Onsen (鶴舞温泉). The most popular onsen in Honjo City. Enjoy the large indoor bath with jacuzzi, sauna and cool bath, stand under flowing onsen water or bathe outside. Located beside Honjo Park, it's a 10 minute walk from the train station. Open 8:00-21:30. Tel: 0184-23-7227.
  • Pine Spa Onsen (パインスパ新山; pain supa shinzan). Opened in 2005. It's located near the beach in Ishiwaki. No rotemburo. Open 9:00-21:00. Tel: 0184-28-1661.
  • Anraku Onsen (安楽温泉). Tel: 0184-22-0637
  • Miroku Onsen (三六温泉). A small, quiet onsen. No rotemburo. Open from "around" 7am to 9pm. Tel:　0184-22-1158
  • Shinzan kaku (新山閣). A ryokan with an onsen. Tel: 0184-22-3398.
  • Yōmeisen (養命泉). Located near where Honjo and Ouchi meet. Address: 秋田県由利本荘市親川字薬師沢2. Tel: 0184-28-2448.

Hotels

Other accommodation available in Honjo.

Schools

Universities

Senior high schools

Junior high schools

Special schools

  • Yuri School for Disabled Children (由利養護学校). Combined JHS and HS.

Elementary Schools

Board of Education

Yurihonjo City Board of Education
27-2 Mikura machi
Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0801
JAPAN

由利本荘市教育委員会
日本 〒015-0801 秋田県由利本荘市美倉町27-2

Tel: 0184-24-6289
Fax: 0184-24-2547

City Hall

Yurihonjo City Hall 由利本荘市役所
Japan
〒015-0801
Akita ken
Yurihonjo city
17 Ozaki 		日本
〒015-0801
秋田県
由利本荘市
尾崎17番地
   
Tel: 0184-24-3321
Fax: 0184-24-2547

Health care

Hospitals

  • Yuri Kumiai Sōgō Byōin (由利組合総合病院). The largest hospital in Honjo. It is the purple hospital. Location. Tel: 0184-27-1200
  • Honjō Daiichi Byōin (本荘第一病院). The other main hospital in Honjo, the pink one. Location. Tel: 0184-22-0111
  • Yurihonjō Ishikai Byōin (由利本荘医師会病院). This hospital is located in Mizubayashi. Location. The dermatology department is open Mon, Tue, Fri 8:30~11:30 and 13:00~16:00, and Wed 8:30~10:00. Tel: 0184-22-0054
  • Shimizu Hinyōkika Naika Iin (清水泌尿器科内科医院). English available. Location. This surgery can deal with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Consultation hours: 08:30-11:30, 13:30-16:30. Tel: (Day) 0184-22-3100, (Night) 0184-22-3100

Dentists

  • Sato Dental Clinic (佐藤歯科医院). They speak a little English here. Address: 由利本荘市笹道59. Location. Tel: 0184-24-2611

Acupuncturists

  • Chūō Shinryōin (中央鍼療院). Address: 〒015-0803 秋田県由利本荘市中竪町49. Tel: 0184-23-1548

Famous people

Getting there

  • The main roads into Honjo are R7, R105, R107, R108 and R341.
  • Ugo-Honjo Station (羽後本荘駅, Ugo-Honjou eki) is on the Uetsu Main Line of JR East railway system.
  • From Ugo-Honjo station 2 companies operate night buses to and from Tokyo; JR's Dream Chokai and Orion Bus.

External links

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