Goshogawara

Goshogawara (五所川原市, Goshogawara-shi) is a city located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2020, the city had an estimated population of 53,576 in 25,568 households,[1] and a population density of 130 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 404.18 square kilometres (156.05 sq mi).

Goshogawara

五所川原市
City
Goshogawara City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture
Goshogawara
 
Coordinates: 40°48′28.9″N 140°26′24.3″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori
Government
 • MayorMasatoshi Hirayama
Area
 • Total404.18 km2 (156.05 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2020)
 • Total53,576
 • Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols 
• TreeJapanese elm
• FlowerNohanashōbu (iris ensata var. spontanea)
• BirdOriental greenfinch
Phone number0173-35-2111
Address12 Iwakichō, Goshogawara-shi, Aomori-ken 037-8686
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

Goshogawara occupies two discontinuous areas on Tsugaru Peninsula in western Aomori Prefecture. The Iwaki River flows through the city. The larger section is landlocked, and is in the middle of the peninsula. It contains the original town of Goshogawara, and is the population centre of the city. The smaller exclave to the north is on the Sea of Japan coast. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Tsugaru Quasi-National Park.

Neighbouring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

Climate

The city has a cold humid continental climate (Köppen Cfb) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Goshogawara is 10.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1281 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.5 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Goshogawara has declined slightly over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 70,222—    
1970 67,047−4.5%
1980 68,738+2.5%
1990 63,843−7.1%
2000 63,208−1.0%
2010 58,421−7.6%

History

The area of Goshogawara was part of the holdings of the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain in the Edo period. With the post-Meiji restoration establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the area became part of Kitatsugaru District, Aomori, and was divided into the villages of Goshogawara, Sakae, Miyoshi, Nakagawa, Nagahashi, Nanawa, Matsushima and Itayanagi on April 1, 1889. On July 1, 1898, Goshogawara was elevated to town status. On October 1, 1954. Goshogawara absorbed the villages of Sakae, Nakagawa, Nagahashi, Matsushima and Iizume to create the city of Goshogawara. On April 1, 1958, Goshogawara absorbed a portion of the town of Kizukuri.

On March 28, 2005, the town of Kanagi, and the village of Shiura were merged into Goshogawara.

Government

Goshogawara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members. Goshogawara, together with the town of Nakadomari contribute three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Goshogawara is mixed. The city serves as a regional commercial center. Agricultural produce includes rice and apples, and commercial fishing includes clams. The Aomori Technopolis High-Tech Industrial Park is located in the city.[4]

Education

Goshogawara has 11 public elementary schools and six public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city has schools and five public high schools operated by the Aomori prefectural Board of Education. The city also has two private high schools.

High schools

Prefectural

  • Goshogawara High School
  • Goshogawara Technical High School
  • Goshogawara Agriculture and Forestry High School
  • Kanagi High School
  • Kanagi High School - Shiura Branch

Private

  • Goshogawara Daiichi High School
  • Goshogawara Commercial High School

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Gonō Line

Tsugaru Railway

Highway

Local attractions
Goshogawara Tachineputa

Noted people from Goshogawara

References
  1. Goshogawara Official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. Goshogawara climate data
  3. Goshogawara population statistics
  4. Goshogawara city home page(in Japanese)
  5. http://www.en-aomori.com/culture-040.html
  6. "五所川原須恵器窯跡". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. "山王坊遺跡". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  8. "十三湊遺跡". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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