View source for Nishitosa, Kōchi

[[Image:Nishitosa Shimanto river.jpg|right|200px]]

{{nihongo|'''Nishitosa'''|西土佐村|Nishitosa-mura}} is a [[List of villages in Japan|village]] located in [[Hata District, Kōchi]], Japan.

On April 10, 2005, Nishitosa, along with the city of [[Nakamura, Kōchi|Nakamura]], was merged to create the city of [[Shimanto, Kōchi (city)|Shimanto]].

==Geography==
The population of Nishitosa was 3,492 people as of May 31, 2008. The total area was {{convert|248.00|km2|0|abbr=on}}. It is approximately {{convert|124|km|0|abbr=on}} from the capital city of [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]]. As per a 2010 Natural Census, a total area of 7105 square kilometers, Kochi is the largest prefecture of the four on Shikoku Island and 18th largest in Japan. 84% of this land area is covered in forest, with a population of 764,456.

==Access==
The main train station, [[Ekawasaki Station|Ekawasaki station]] on the [[JR Shikoku]] [[Yodo Line]], sees only a few local trains each day. There are two other smaller stations, [[Nishigahō Station]] and [[Hage Station]].

It is accessible from [[Ehime prefecture]] and the town of [[Shimanto, Kōchi (town)|Shimanto]] by route 381 and from Nakamura via route 441. It is roughly 3 hours by car to Kōchi city.

There is also a limited bus service, centered on Ekawasaki Station.

==Temperature==
In the summer, the temperatures reach an average of 32 °C in the day and about 26 °C at night. In Kōchi, typhoon season lasts from July until September. In the winter, temperatures average 13 °C in the daytime and 5 °C at night. It occasionally snows in the winter and many people use kerosene heaters to keep warm.

==Tourism==
The area is known for the views of the [[Shimanto River|Shimanto river]], said to be the cleanest river in Japan{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}, and for the [[Ayu sweetfish|ayu]] fish. Tourists flock to the area in the summer for camping and canoeing.

The area is also good for firefly viewing. In June, there is a firefly festival, and fireflies can easily be seen from many of the [[Low water crossing|"chinkabashi" (Low water crossing)]].

==Wildlife==
[[Image:Nishitosa village.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
[[Wild boar]]s, [[deer]], [[Japanese raccoon dog|tanuki]], rabbits and [[Japanese macaque|monkeys]] are frequently seen in the area. Deer in particular are a pest to farmers, and can be seen on many of the roads at night.

==Education==
Prior to April 2012, there were seven elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school and three nursery schools in the former village's area. However, due to falling student numbers, the elementary schools merged into one school, Nishitosa Elementary School, and one of the nursery schools closed. Currently, the junior high school, elementary school, and two nursery schools are visited regularly by one resident [[Assistant Language Teacher|ALT]], as part of the [[JET Programme]]. The high school is visited by a separate, privately contracted ALT.

==External links==
* [http://www.vill.nishitosa.kochi.jp/ Official website of Nishitosa] in Japanese
* [http://www.city.shimanto.lg.jp/ Official website of Shimanto] in Japanese

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nishitosa, Kochi}}
[[Category:Dissolved municipalities of Kōchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Shimanto, Kōchi (city)]]

{{Kochi-geo-stub}}