Kazuno, Akita
Kazuno (鹿角市, Kazuno-shi) is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 March 2023, the city had an estimated population of 28,329 in 12,570 households, and a population density of 40 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city is 707.52 square kilometres (273.17 square miles).
Kazuno
鹿角市 | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Hanawa Bayashi | |
 Flag  Seal | |
Location of Kazuno in Akita Prefecture | |
 | |
  Kazuno | |
| Coordinates: 40°12′56.8″N 140°47′18.16″E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Akita |
| Government | |
| • -Mayor | Atsushi Seki (since July 2021) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 707.52 km2 (273.17 sq mi) |
| Population (February 28, 2023) | |
| • Total | 28,329 |
| • Density | 40/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Phone number | 0186-30-1111 |
| Address | 4-1 Arata, Hanawa, Kazuno-shi, Akita-ken 018-5292 |
| Climate | Dfa |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Rooster |
| Flower | Sakura |
| Tree | Rowan |
Geography
Kazuno is located in the far northeast corner of Akita Prefecture. The urban center is located in the Hanawa Basin, which is part of the basin of the Yoneshiro River. Outside the Hanawa Basin, it is mountainous and heavily forested, with numerous rivers and waterfalls with the Ōu Mountains and Iwate Prefecture on the east. The area has many hot springs. Much of the city is within the borders of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, although the city does not border on Lake Towada self. Due to its inland location, the difference between the annual maximum temperature and the annual minimum temperature is very large and the city is noted for its heavy snowfall in winter.
Neighboring municipalities
Akita Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
Climate
Kazuno has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters with heavy snowfalls. The average annual temperature in Kazuno is 9.5 °C (49.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,454.1 mm (57.25 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.8 °C (73.0 °F), and lowest in January, at around −2.9 °C (26.8 °F).[2]
| Climate data for Kazuno, Akita[3] (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.1 (52.0) |
15.8 (60.4) |
18.8 (65.8) |
29.5 (85.1) |
32.3 (90.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.9 (98.4) |
34.4 (93.9) |
27.3 (81.1) |
22.4 (72.3) |
17.3 (63.1) |
37.0 (98.6) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 0.6 (33.1) |
1.7 (35.1) |
5.8 (42.4) |
13.6 (56.5) |
19.9 (67.8) |
23.8 (74.8) |
26.8 (80.2) |
28.1 (82.6) |
24.0 (75.2) |
17.4 (63.3) |
10.1 (50.2) |
3.0 (37.4) |
14.6 (58.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −2.9 (26.8) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
7.4 (45.3) |
13.8 (56.8) |
18.3 (64.9) |
21.9 (71.4) |
22.8 (73.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
11.4 (52.5) |
5.0 (41.0) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
9.5 (49.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −7.1 (19.2) |
−6.9 (19.6) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
1.6 (34.9) |
8.0 (46.4) |
13.4 (56.1) |
17.9 (64.2) |
18.5 (65.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
6.3 (43.3) |
0.7 (33.3) |
−4.1 (24.6) |
4.9 (40.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −22.4 (−8.3) |
−19.7 (−3.5) |
−16.8 (1.8) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
3.2 (37.8) |
8.1 (46.6) |
8.6 (47.5) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−11.4 (11.5) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
−22.4 (−8.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 79.4 (3.13) |
68.7 (2.70) |
84.1 (3.31) |
89.2 (3.51) |
93.1 (3.67) |
108.3 (4.26) |
200.6 (7.90) |
190.4 (7.50) |
149.3 (5.88) |
138.8 (5.46) |
136.0 (5.35) |
116.3 (4.58) |
1,454.1 (57.25) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 182 (72) |
150 (59) |
100 (39) |
2 (0.8) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
13 (5.1) |
132 (52) |
579 (228) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 17.8 | 15.9 | 14.8 | 13.0 | 12.0 | 10.1 | 12.3 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 13.9 | 16.9 | 19.1 | 169.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) | 20.9 | 17.8 | 13.1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | 14.1 | 67.9 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 52.2 | 72.0 | 118.5 | 158.4 | 185.3 | 174.0 | 147.0 | 168.2 | 146.7 | 132.9 | 87.6 | 52.8 | 1,495.6 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[2][4] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Yuze Onsen, Kazuno (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.1 (52.0) |
15.2 (59.4) |
19.2 (66.6) |
31.3 (88.3) |
31.6 (88.9) |
33.4 (92.1) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.8 (96.4) |
33.8 (92.8) |
27.3 (81.1) |
22.8 (73.0) |
15.8 (60.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 0.3 (32.5) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.6 (42.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
23.6 (74.5) |
26.5 (79.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
23.3 (73.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
9.7 (49.5) |
2.7 (36.9) |
14.3 (57.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −2.5 (27.5) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
1.1 (34.0) |
7.0 (44.6) |
13.4 (56.1) |
17.6 (63.7) |
21.4 (70.5) |
22.3 (72.1) |
17.8 (64.0) |
11.2 (52.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
9.3 (48.8) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −5.6 (21.9) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
7.5 (45.5) |
12.8 (55.0) |
17.5 (63.5) |
18.3 (64.9) |
13.7 (56.7) |
6.8 (44.2) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
5.2 (41.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −18.7 (−1.7) |
−17.2 (1.0) |
−15.7 (3.7) |
−9.8 (14.4) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.2 (37.8) |
7.8 (46.0) |
8.1 (46.6) |
1.6 (34.9) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
−15.1 (4.8) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 89.1 (3.51) |
77.5 (3.05) |
93.0 (3.66) |
87.2 (3.43) |
98.1 (3.86) |
112.6 (4.43) |
188.4 (7.42) |
175.8 (6.92) |
165.9 (6.53) |
143.1 (5.63) |
139.7 (5.50) |
125.1 (4.93) |
1,509 (59.41) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 18.6 | 16.5 | 16.2 | 13.2 | 12.0 | 10.8 | 12.8 | 12.4 | 13.1 | 14.6 | 17.1 | 19.6 | 176.9 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 27.1 | 45.9 | 92.8 | 155.3 | 190.8 | 157.2 | 127.3 | 149.3 | 130.5 | 116.8 | 73.3 | 39.8 | 1,305.9 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[5][6] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Hachimantai, Kazuno (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.2 (46.8) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.4 (61.5) |
26.4 (79.5) |
29.7 (85.5) |
30.5 (86.9) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.8 (91.0) |
30.8 (87.4) |
25.3 (77.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
14.3 (57.7) |
32.8 (91.0) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −2.0 (28.4) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
2.8 (37.0) |
9.6 (49.3) |
17.1 (62.8) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.8 (74.8) |
25.0 (77.0) |
20.8 (69.4) |
14.5 (58.1) |
7.4 (45.3) |
0.7 (33.3) |
11.6 (52.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.7 (23.5) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
4.8 (40.6) |
11.2 (52.2) |
15.5 (59.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
20.1 (68.2) |
15.8 (60.4) |
9.5 (49.1) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
7.3 (45.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −7.8 (18.0) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
0.4 (32.7) |
5.8 (42.4) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.4 (59.7) |
16.1 (61.0) |
11.6 (52.9) |
5.1 (41.2) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
3.3 (37.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −16.6 (2.1) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−14.8 (5.4) |
−9.0 (15.8) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
0.8 (33.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
7.1 (44.8) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 169.0 (6.65) |
133.5 (5.26) |
146.1 (5.75) |
128.9 (5.07) |
123.2 (4.85) |
129.5 (5.10) |
230.4 (9.07) |
230.9 (9.09) |
200.9 (7.91) |
211.8 (8.34) |
229.4 (9.03) |
221.8 (8.73) |
2,155.4 (84.86) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 23.4 | 20.0 | 18.8 | 14.2 | 13.1 | 11.1 | 13.4 | 13.1 | 13.9 | 16.0 | 19.7 | 22.9 | 199.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 19.6 | 38.7 | 88.9 | 162.6 | 202.1 | 178.7 | 138.1 | 159.3 | 134.4 | 120.5 | 68.4 | 27.3 | 1,338.4 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[7][8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[9] the population of Kazuno has declined over the past 60 years.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 59,593 | — |
| 1970 | 50,346 | −1.67% |
| 1980 | 45,615 | −0.98% |
| 1990 | 42,407 | −0.73% |
| 2000 | 39,144 | −0.80% |
| 2010 | 34,473 | −1.26% |
| 2020 | 29,088 | −1.68% |
History
The area of present-day Kazuno was settled in prehistoric times, and contains major Jōmon period archaeological sites and numerous burial mounds from the Kofun period. The area was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was ruled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became briefly part of Rikuchū Province before being transferred to Akita Prefecture in 1871. It was organized as part of Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture in 1878 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.
The city of Kazuno was founded on April 1, 1972 by the merger of the towns of Hanawa, Towada, and Osarizawa and the village of Hachimantai.
Government
Kazuno has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members. The city contributes two members to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Akita 2nd district 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The economy of Kazuno is based on agriculture, forestry and seasonal tourism. Kazuo is the main production area in Akita Prefecture for apples, pears, cherries, peaches, blueberries, quince, and prunes. Although Kazuno is located in a mountainous area, it has also cultivated rice.
Education
Kazuno has six public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. Akita Prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
Transportation
Railway
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East Japan Railway Company - Hanawa Line
- Yuze-Onsen - Hachimantai - Rikuchū-Ōsato - Kazuno-Hanawa - Shibahira - Towada-Minami - Suehiro - Dobukai
Local attractions
- Chagama Falls – one of the Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls
- Ōyu Stone Circles - Jōmon period archaeological site, Special National Historic Site of Japan
- former Osarizawa Mine
- Hachimantai Onsen
- Ōyu Onsen
- Yuza Onsen
- Dainichido Bugaku - Ritual dance and music held on January 2, UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage[10]
- Alpas Sports Park
International relations
Kazuno is twinned with:
Noted people from Kazuno
- Junko Asari, Olympic marathon runner
- Kenichi Takahashi, Olympic long-distance runner
- Takayuki Matsumiya, Olympic long-distance runner
- Yasuhiko Okudera, professional soccer player
- Yuta Kimura, professional baseball player
- Naitō Torajirō, historian
- Tomoefuji Toshihide, sumo wrestler
Media
References
- "Kazuno city official home page" (in Japanese). Japan.
- 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- 鹿角観測地点は1991年7月18日までは毛馬内観測地点のデータ
- 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- Kazuno population statistics
- "Dainichido Bugaku". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
External links
- Official Website (in Japanese)
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