Tōyō, Kumamoto
Tōyō (東陽村, Tōyō-son) was a village municipality located in Yatsushiro County, Kumamoto, Japan. As of 2003, the village had an estimated population of 2,787 people and a population density of 43.17 persons per km². Toyo's total land area was and still is 64.56 km².
On August 1, 2005, the village merged with four other municipalities into the expanded city of Yatsushiro and no longer exists as an independent municipality. As a result of the merger (see Merger and dissolution of municipalities of Japan), Toyo-son (literally meaning "Toyo-village") officially became Toyo-machi (or "Toyo-town") within the city of Yatsushiro. The former village hall became a Yatsushiro city branch office; likewise, the office of village mayor was dissolved and replaced with that of the branch office head. Nevertheless, many of Toyo's inhabitants still refer to the town as "Toyo-son," as do taxi and bus drivers who are still familiar with the former terminology. It is also common to see the town's businesses use the old name, having it printed on posters, pamphlets, souvenirs, bagging, and wrapping paper. Even the sewage lids on the town's streets are still embossed with the characters for "Toyo-son." Although nominally a part of Yatsushiro city, Toyo continues to retain a unique cultural identity.
Toyo is famous for its ginger, and every October the town holds its annual shōgamatsuri, or ginger festival. The town is also known for its old stone bridges, or ishibashi, of which many were built during the Meiji period.
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