Fukaura

Fukaura (深浦町, Fukaura-machi) is a town located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2023, the town had an estimated population of 7,268 in 3553 households,[1] and a population density of 15 persons per km². The total area of the town is 488.85 km2 (188.75 sq mi).

Fukaura
深浦町
Ao-ike (the blue lake)
Ao-ike (the blue lake)
Flag of Fukaura
Official seal of Fukaura
Location of Fukaura in Aomori Prefecture
Location of Fukaura
Fukaura is located in Japan
Fukaura
Fukaura
 
Coordinates: 40°38′52.3″N 139°55′39.1″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori
DistrictNishitsugaru
Area
  Total488.90 km2 (188.77 sq mi)
Population
 (January 31, 2023)
  Total7,268
  Density15/km2 (39/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0173-74-2111
Address84-2 Nashirozawa, Fukaura-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken 038-2324
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdCommon gull
FlowerFar East Amur adonis
TreeSiebold’s Beech
Fukaura Town Hall
Aerial view of Fukaura town center

Geography

Senjojiki Coast

Fukaura is in Nishitsugaru District, Aomori, and occupies the far southwestern coastline of Aomori Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. The southwestern corner of the town is located within the borders of the Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some coastal areas of the town are within the Tsugaru Quasi-National Park. The islets of Kyūroku-jima in the Sea of Japan are located within the boundaries of the town, giving it the westernmost point of Aomori Prefecture.[2]

Neighbouring municipalities

Climate

The town has a cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Fukaura is 7.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1604 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around -4.7 °C.[3]

Climate data for Fukaura (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1940−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.1
(57.4)
19.9
(67.8)
19.7
(67.5)
25.6
(78.1)
28.9
(84.0)
29.6
(85.3)
35.1
(95.2)
37.9
(100.2)
34.4
(93.9)
30.6
(87.1)
22.1
(71.8)
19.7
(67.5)
37.9
(100.2)
Average high °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1)
3.0
(37.4)
6.7
(44.1)
12.7
(54.9)
17.8
(64.0)
21.6
(70.9)
25.3
(77.5)
27.1
(80.8)
23.6
(74.5)
17.5
(63.5)
11.1
(52.0)
5.1
(41.2)
14.5
(58.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0)
0.3
(32.5)
3.2
(37.8)
8.5
(47.3)
13.5
(56.3)
17.5
(63.5)
21.7
(71.1)
23.2
(73.8)
19.5
(67.1)
13.6
(56.5)
7.9
(46.2)
2.4
(36.3)
10.9
(51.7)
Average low °C (°F) −2.4
(27.7)
−2.2
(28.0)
0.1
(32.2)
4.5
(40.1)
9.6
(49.3)
14.1
(57.4)
18.7
(65.7)
20.0
(68.0)
15.9
(60.6)
10.0
(50.0)
4.7
(40.5)
−0.3
(31.5)
7.7
(45.9)
Record low °C (°F) −10.5
(13.1)
−9.8
(14.4)
−8.8
(16.2)
−4.1
(24.6)
0.2
(32.4)
5.6
(42.1)
8.5
(47.3)
12.4
(54.3)
6.9
(44.4)
1.8
(35.2)
−5.8
(21.6)
−9.8
(14.4)
−10.5
(13.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 100.3
(3.95)
84.0
(3.31)
84.3
(3.32)
90.5
(3.56)
120.2
(4.73)
98.5
(3.88)
145.1
(5.71)
174.9
(6.89)
163.6
(6.44)
170.4
(6.71)
159.6
(6.28)
137.6
(5.42)
1,529
(60.20)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 80
(31)
66
(26)
27
(11)
1
(0.4)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
4
(1.6)
50
(20)
226
(89)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 19.5 15.7 13.5 10.5 10.3 9.3 10.8 10.5 11.7 13.7 16.7 19.1 161.3
Average snowy days (≥ 1 cm) 20.2 17.5 8.3 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.6 12.3 60.3
Average relative humidity (%) 70 69 67 69 76 82 85 83 80 74 70 70 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 25.4 46.9 104.4 170.7 194.0 179.3 154.9 178.2 155.3 126.6 63.0 30.9 1,430.8
Source: JMA[4][5]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[6] the population of Fukaura peaked at around the year 1960 and has decreased by more than half over the past 60 years. It is now considerably less than it was a century ago.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1920 11,706    
1930 12,492+0.65%
1940 13,804+1.00%
1950 19,645+3.59%
1960 19,842+0.10%
1970 18,157−0.88%
1980 15,445−1.60%
1990 13,335−1.46%
2000 11,799−1.22%
2010 9,691−1.95%
2020 7,346−2.73%

History

The area around Fukaura was controlled by the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period. It became a village in Nishitsugaru District with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, and was elevated to town status on April 1, 1926. On July 29, 1955, Fukura annexed the neighboring village of Otose. On March 31, 2005, it was merged with the neighboring village of Iwasaki.

Government

Fukaura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town legislature of 12 members. Nishitsugaru District contributes one member to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Fukaura is heavily dependent on commercial fishing.

There is also a small tourism industry centered on the Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage area, particularly the Juniko Lakes on its periphery.

Education

Fukaura has three public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Gonō Line

Highway

National Route 101

Sister city relations

Noted people from Fukaura

References

  1. Fukaura Town official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. "場所・気候" [Place/climate] (in Japanese). Aomori Prefecture Government. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  3. Fukaura climate data
  4. 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  5. 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  6. Fukaura population statistics
  7. "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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