Shiogama
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Shiogama (塩釜市; 塩竈市; 塩竃市; -shi) is a city located in Miyagi, Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 60,301 and density of 3,378.21 persons per km², making it the most densely populated conurbation in Tohoku (northern Japan). The total area of the city is 17.85 km².
Shiogama's name means "salt cauldron", and this refers to an ancient Shinto ritual involving the making of salt from sea water that is still performed every July at the Okama Jinja Shrine.
The city is located about 15 km away from Sendai, and about 10 km away from Matsushima, regarded as one of the three finest coastal views in Japan. Its main industry is still fishing, and the city unloads more fresh tuna than anywhere else in Japan. Accordingly, Shiogama is also famous for its seafood, especially its sushi - the city boasts the most sushi restaurants per square kilometer of any city in the country.
The city is also home to one of the most important Shinto shrines in Tohoku, Shiogama Jinja, which is accessible up a rather tiring flight of 201 steps and has an interesting museum on the feudal and economic history of the city, including some fascinating exhibits relating to whaling.
The city was founded on November 23, 1941.
External links
- Official website (http://www.city.shiogama.miyagi.jp/) in Japanese