Obanazawa

Obanazawa (尾花沢市, Obanazawa-shi) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2020, the city had an estimated population of 15,237, and a population density of 40.9 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 372.32 square kilometres (144 sq mi).

Obanazawa

尾花沢市
City
Ginzan Onsen in the snow
Flag
Seal
Location of Obanazawa in Yamagata Prefecture
Obanazawa
 
Coordinates: 38°36′N 140°24′E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureYamagata
Area
 • Total373.32 km2 (144.14 sq mi)
Population
 (January 2020)
 • Total15,237
 • Density41/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeJapanese Zelkova
- FlowerAzalea
Phone number0237-22-1111
Address1-1-3 Wakabachō, Obanazawa-shi, Yamagata-ken 999-4292
WebsiteOfficial website
Obanazawa City Hall

Geography

Obanazawa is located in a mountain valley northeast Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by the Mogami River to the west and the Ōu Mountains to the east.

Neighboring municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[1] the population of Obanazawa peaked around the year 1950 and has been declining over the past 70 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 21,517—    
1930 24,320+13.0%
1940 26,692+9.8%
1950 33,754+26.5%
1960 31,538−6.6%
1970 27,173−13.8%
1980 25,231−7.1%
1990 23,909−5.2%
2000 22,010−7.9%
2010 18,916−14.1%

Climate

Obanazawa has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Obanazawa is 10.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1594 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.6 °C.[2] The city is noted for its very heavy snowfall in winter.

History

The area of present-day Obanazawa was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitamurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, and was raised to town status on July 26, 1897. It was made a city on April 10, 1959.

Obanazawa is the origin of one version of the Dontsuki song, the 'Hanagasa Dance Song', a song sung in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture.[3]

Government

Obanazawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 14 members. The city contributes one member to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for its watermelons.[4]

Education

Obanazawa has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line

Highway

Local attractions

Noted people from Obanazawa

References
  1. Obanazawa population statistics
  2. Obanazawa climate data
  3. http://www.hanagasa.jp/en/origins.html
  4. http://www.city.obanazawa.yamagata.jp/1617.html

Media related to Obanazawa, Yamagata at Wikimedia Commons

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