Minamisoma



Minamisoma (南相馬) is a coastal city located in the northeastern section of Hamadori in Fukushima. The city was created by the mergence of three previously separate areas on January 1st, 2006 of Kashima (鹿島) ward to the north, Haramachi (原町) ward just south, and Odaka (小高) ward which is the most southern area of the city. Haramachi, being the biggest and most central location, is where the city office and most public buildings are maintain including the Minamisoma library, central area post office, and cultural/sports centers.

The city is best known for it's wild horse chase festival called the "Soma Nomaoi" (相馬野馬追). It is held annually during the summer and celebrates the samurai heritage and tradition of horse for calvary use during the ancient times of Japan.

JR Joban line
The JR Joban line (usually colored as blue on train maps) services all the stations in Minamisoma. Unfortunately, due to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the Joban line to the north of Soma city is currently unusable. The Joban line to the south of Haramachi city in inaccessible due to the radiation zone starting in the Odaka area of Minamisoma city. Therefore, this train line only runs to four stops including Soma, Nittaki, Kashima, and Haramachi. Trains times as of March 15, 2014 are listed below.

South to North Haranomachi Station to Soma Station: 5:42 6:02 7:06 7:40 8:02 8:50 10:00 12:02 13:42 15:02 16:00 16:53 17:43 18:43 19:47 20:46 21:58 Kashima Station to Soma Station:    5:49 6:09 7:12 7:46 8:08 8:56 10:06 12:08 13:49 15:09 16:06 16:59 17:49 18:49 19:54 20:52 22:04 Nittaki Station to Soma Station:    5:54 6:15 7:18 7:52 8:14 9:02 10:12 12:14 13:54 15:14 16:12 17:05 17:55 18:55 19:59 20:58 22:10 Arrive at Soma Station:             6:00 6:20 7:23 7:57 8:20 9:07 10:17 12:19 14:00 15:20 16:17 17:10 18:00 19:00 20:05 21:03 22:15 North to South Soma Station to Haranomachi Station:   6:07 7:00 7:34 8:06 8:43 9:18 10:31 12:25 14:26 15:36 16:26 17:16 18:06 19:16 20:21 21:11 22:21 23:26 Nittaki Station to Haranomachi Station: 6:15 7:06 7:40 8:16 8:49 9:24 10:37 12:31 14:32 15:42 16:32 17:22 18:12 19:22 20:27 21:17 22:27 23:32 Kashima Station to Haranomachi Station: 6:21 7:12 7:46 8:22 8:56 9:30 10:43 12:37 14:38 15:48 16:38 17:28 18:18 19:28 20:33 21:23 22:33 23:38 Arrive at Haranomachi Station:         6:28 7:19 7:53 8:29 9:03 9:36 10:49 12:43 14:44 15:54 16:44 17:34 18:24 19:34 20:39 21:29 22:39 23:44

Public Schools
*All schools listed are public institutions managed by the Minamisoma School Board of Education or Fukushima School Board of Education.

Elementary

 * Kashima Elementary School 鹿島小学校
 * Kamimano Elementary School 上真野小学校
 * Mano Elementary School 真野小学校
 * Yasawa Elementary School 八沢小学校

Junior High school

 * Kashima Junior High School 鹿島中学校

Elementary

 * Haramachi First Elementary School 原町第一小学校
 * Haramachi Second Elementary School 原町第二小学校
 * Ishigami First Elementary School 石神第一小学校
 * Ishigami Second Elementary School 石神第二しょうがっこう
 * Takahira Elementary School
 * Ota Elementary School 太田小学校
 * Omika Elementary School 大甕小学校

Junior High school

 * Haramachi First Junior High School 原町第一中学校
 * Haramachi Second Junior High School 原町第二中学校
 * Haramachi Third Junior High School 原町第三中学校
 * Ishigami Junior High School 石神中学校

High school

 * Haramachi High School 原町高等学校
 * Soma Agricultural High School 相馬農業高等学校

Elementary
All Odaka elementary schools are currently residing in Kashima
 * Odaka Elementary School 小高小学校
 * Fukuura Elementary School 福浦小学校
 * Kanabusa Elementary School 金房小学校
 * Hatsuppara Elementary School 鳩原小学校

Junior High school

 * Odaka Junior High School  小高中学校 *currently residing in Kashima

High school
All Odaka high schools are currently residing in Haramachi
 * Odaka Technical High School 福島県立小高工業高等学校
 * Odaka Commercial High School 福島県立小高商業高等学校

To Do
Minamisoma Library The Minamisoma Library is a new building with several amenities, including a cafe, large English Language section and English movie showings. Click on the "video camera" link at the site above to see current movie selections. Parking is available. You can get your ticket validated at the counter for 2 hours of free parking.

Festivals and Events
Soma Namaoi

Restaurants and Food
Name: Naochan Ramen Type of Food: Ramen and Rice Dishes Address: Happouchi-116-3, Haramachi-ku Okido, Minamisoma-shi Fukushima-ken 975-0061 Phone Number: 0244-22-4113 Name: Bar Wizard Type of Food: Pasta, Pizza, Japanese Appetizers, Alcohol Address: Asahimachi 1-18, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma-shi, Fukushima-ken 975-0004 Phone Number: 0244-26-3980 Name: Ki Ryu Type of Food: Japanese Chinese Address: Nishikicho 1−36, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma-shi, Fukushima-ken‎ 975-0031 Phone Number: 0244-23-0039