Chiyoko, Shimazaki

Chiyoko (地横市) is a city in Shimazaki Prefecture, Nakama. It's located in the western part of Shimazaki Prefecture bordering Minamiyoko, and Shimazaki in south, Shiori and Sakae in north and Okaishi in east. It has population 85,490 by 2011 making it's population density 690 people/kmsq

Etymology
The name Chiyoko itself was out since the Sengoku era where the area was ruled by Shinozaki Clan. Chi (地) means earth in Nakamian while Yoko (横) means horizon makes this city name means earth's horizon. Though other transcription said that Chiyoko name is coming from Shinozaki Chiyoko (篠崎千代子), a notable person in Shinozaki Clan during later Shizuku period though this name doubted as the real transcription of city.

Some myth said that the chi kanji is 血 which means blood. This myth comes along with the story of Chioka (地岡) in the city area is actually named 血岡 which means Bloody Hills. This story mostly tells about the existence of Shinodake Estate, as an hideout of Shinodake Clan, a legendary clans that rules over Kashiwadaira Province but later massacred by the Shinozaki clan soon after they took over the location. Although later Shinozaki Clan replaced with Kurahashi Clan to rule this province in 16th century

Geography
Chiyoko consist of hilly area of Shimazaki Prefecture with smaller plains in western part of city. The city population mostly resides in the western part of city as well as the plains on southeastern part. Chioka hill is one of known sacred forest for locals and incorporated into prefectural park by Shimazaki Prefecture.