Yunomae, Kumamoto

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Yunomae (Yunomae-machi) is a small town in Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. As of August 31, 2024, about 3,475 people live there in roughly 1,515 households. The town covers 48.41 square kilometers, giving a population density of about 72 people per square kilometer.

Geography
- Located in the southeastern corner of Kumamoto Prefecture.
- About 80 km south-southeast of Kumamoto City by straight line (roughly 110 km by road), and about 24 km east-northeast of Hitoyoshi City.
- The western part is the urban center at the eastern edge of the Hitoyoshi Basin (Kuma Basin). The eastern and southern areas reach into the Kyushu Mountains and have steep terrain.

Climate
- Humid subtropical climate (Cfa): warm summers and cool winters.
- Average temperature: about 14.0°C per year.
- Annual rainfall: about 2,328 mm, with September the wettest month.
- Average highs around 24.5°C in August; average lows around 2.9°C in January.

History
- Part of ancient Higo Province; during the Edo Period it belonged to Hitoyoshi Domain.
- Modern Yunomae village was established on April 1, 1889; it became a town on April 1, 1937.

Government
- Mayor-council government: directly elected mayor and a town council of ten members.
- Together with other Kuma District towns, Yunomae sends two members to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly.
- Nationally, it is part of the Kumamoto 4th district.

Economy
- Mainly supported by agriculture and forestry.

Education
- One public elementary school and one public junior high school.
- There is no high school in Yunomae.

Transportation
- Served by the Kumagawa Railroad, Yunomae Line.

Symbols
- Bird: Warbling white-eye
- Flower: Azalea
- Tree: Hinoki cypress