is a town located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 10,906 in 4028 households, and a population density of 62 persons per km². The total area of the town is . Geography Shioya is located in central Tochigi Prefecture. Surrounding municipalities Tochigi Prefecture Utsunomiya Sakura Nasushiobara Yaita Nikkō Climate Shioya has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Shioya is . The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around . Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Shioya has declined over the past 70 years. History The villages of Tamanyu, Funyu, and Omiya were created within Shioya District of Tochigi Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. The three villages merged on March 31, 1957 to create the village of Shioya. Shioya was elevated to town status on February 11, 1965. Government Shioya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Shioya, together with the city of Sakura and town of Takanezawa collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The economy of Shioya is heavily dependent on agriculture, but is increasingly a bedroom community for the nearby cities of Utsunomiya and Nikkō. Education Shioya has three public primary schools, one public middle school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education. Transportation Railway Shioya does not have any passenger train service. Highway Local attractions Shojinzawa Yusui – one of the 100 famous springs of Japan Shioya Onsen References External links Official Website Towns in Tochigi Prefecture Shioya, Tochigi