Yatsushiro, Kumamoto

**Yatsushiro**
**八代市**
Yatsushiro's location in Kumamoto, Japan.
Yatsushiro's location in Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Kumamoto
Physical characteristics
Area	680.59 km² (262.78 sq mi)
Population (as of January 2008)
Total	134,491
Density	198 /km² (513 /sq mi)
Location	32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.5, 130.6Coordinates: 32°30′N 130°36′E / 32.5, 130.6
Symbols
Tree	Pomelo
Flower	Yatsushirosō (Campanula glomerata var. dahurica)
Bird	Common Kingfisher
Flag
Yatsushiro Government Office
Mayor	Takashi Sakata
Address	1-25 Matsuejōmachi, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto-ken 866-8601
Phone number	0965-33-4111
Official website: Yatsushiro City

Yatsushiro (八代市, Yatsuhiro-shi^?) is a city located in Kumamoto, Japan.

On August 1, 2005, the city merged with the municipalities of Izumi, Kagami, Sakamoto, Senchō and Tōyō to form the new expanded city of Yashushiro.

As of January 1, 2008 Yatsuhiro has a population of 134,491 and a density of 198 persons per km². The total area is 680.59 km².

Yatsushiro is known for its Myokensai festival on November 23 of each year, which includes a parade of horses through the streets of the city. Also, each fall Yatsushiro hosts one of Japan's largest fireworks displays. These fireworks last for about 2 hours.^{[citation needed]}

Yatsushiro is known locally for its banpeiyu fruits which bear a resemblance to hugely over-sized grapefruits.

The city's landmarks include the ruins of Yatsushiro Castle (now part of a shinto shrine) and the often overlooked port area that offers magnificent views of the nearby Amakusa islands and the local paper factory.