Yanagawa

is a city located in Fukuoka, Japan. As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 41,048 and the density of 1,102.55 persons per km². The total area is 37.23 km². Yanagawa is popular with Japanese tourists because of its 470 km of wide canals. Yanagawa riverboats, called "donkobune", are used to take tourists around the city. In 1987 a video documentary was created by Studio Ghibli about these canals and their restoration. is widely available and includes English subtitles. Yanagawa was originally constructed in the mid-16th century by the Kamachi clan. Before then, it had been a traditional farming village, with the canals used for irrigation; Tanaka Yoshimasa ordered the canals to be maintained and built a castle in Yanagawa, which is still maintained today. The modern city was founded on April 1, 1952. Yanagawa is the birthplace of Kitahara Hakushu, a Meiji era poet and writer of children's songs. An annual three day festival is held every November in Yanagawa complete... full article at wikipedia