Semboku, Akita

Semboku (仙北市, Semboku-shi) is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 24,045 in 10,398 households,[1] and a population density of 22 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 1,093.56 square kilometers (422 sq mi).

Semboku
仙北市
Semboku City Hall Kakunodate Office
Semboku City Hall Kakunodate Office
Flag of Semboku
Official seal of Semboku
Location of Semboku in Akita Prefecture
Location of Semboku
Semboku is located in Japan
Semboku
Semboku
 
Coordinates: 39°42′06″N 140°43′53.4″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAkita
Area
  Total1,093.56 km2 (422.23 sq mi)
Population
 (January 31, 2023)
  Total24,045
  Density22/km2 (57/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0187-43-1111
Address30 Miyanoshiro, Obonai, Tazawako, Semboku-shi, Akita-ken 014-1201
ClimateDfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdGolden eagle
FlowerHydrangea
TreeBeech
Kakunodate

Geography

Semboku is located in the mountains of east-central Akita Prefecture, bordering on Iwate Prefecture and the Ōu Mountains on the east. Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, is located in the center of the city borders. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

Neighboring municipalities

Akita Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture

Climate

Semboku 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. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Semboku is 9.7 °C (49.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,180.4 mm (85.84 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.1 °C (73.6 °F), and lowest in January, at around −2.6 °C (27.3 °F).[2]

Climate data for Tazawako, Semboku (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.9
(51.6)
16.8
(62.2)
18.1
(64.6)
29.4
(84.9)
32.3
(90.1)
32.6
(90.7)
35.8
(96.4)
36.5
(97.7)
33.3
(91.9)
27.9
(82.2)
23.2
(73.8)
15.4
(59.7)
36.5
(97.7)
Average high °C (°F) 0.4
(32.7)
1.5
(34.7)
5.3
(41.5)
12.8
(55.0)
19.2
(66.6)
23.2
(73.8)
26.2
(79.2)
27.8
(82.0)
23.7
(74.7)
17.1
(62.8)
9.9
(49.8)
3.1
(37.6)
14.2
(57.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.6
(27.3)
−2.1
(28.2)
1.0
(33.8)
7.2
(45.0)
13.6
(56.5)
18.1
(64.6)
21.9
(71.4)
23.1
(73.6)
18.7
(65.7)
12.0
(53.6)
5.4
(41.7)
−0.1
(31.8)
9.7
(49.4)
Average low °C (°F) −6.0
(21.2)
−5.9
(21.4)
−3.1
(26.4)
1.8
(35.2)
8.1
(46.6)
13.5
(56.3)
18.3
(64.9)
19.3
(66.7)
14.5
(58.1)
7.2
(45.0)
1.2
(34.2)
−3.2
(26.2)
5.5
(41.9)
Record low °C (°F) −17.6
(0.3)
−17.1
(1.2)
−16.1
(3.0)
−8.0
(17.6)
−2.0
(28.4)
3.8
(38.8)
9.6
(49.3)
9.0
(48.2)
2.2
(36.0)
−2.2
(28.0)
−8.2
(17.2)
−14.2
(6.4)
−17.6
(0.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 132.4
(5.21)
118.0
(4.65)
149.1
(5.87)
153.0
(6.02)
165.9
(6.53)
161.7
(6.37)
290.5
(11.44)
280.8
(11.06)
193.2
(7.61)
179.5
(7.07)
190.1
(7.48)
166.0
(6.54)
2,180.4
(85.84)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 19.5 17.0 17.0 14.6 13.0 11.4 15.0 12.6 13.5 14.6 18.1 20.3 186.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 41.6 60.2 94.5 137.4 178.2 165.7 136.3 162.3 133.2 125.4 78.6 44.9 1,358.1
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[2][3]
Climate data for Kakunodate, Semboku (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.0
(50.0)
13.7
(56.7)
19.7
(67.5)
30.4
(86.7)
33.3
(91.9)
34.5
(94.1)
37.8
(100.0)
37.7
(99.9)
35.8
(96.4)
29.5
(85.1)
24.3
(75.7)
17.8
(64.0)
37.8
(100.0)
Average high °C (°F) 1.5
(34.7)
2.7
(36.9)
6.9
(44.4)
14.7
(58.5)
21.1
(70.0)
25.2
(77.4)
28.1
(82.6)
29.7
(85.5)
25.5
(77.9)
18.7
(65.7)
11.1
(52.0)
4.1
(39.4)
15.8
(60.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1.6
(29.1)
−1.1
(30.0)
2.1
(35.8)
8.5
(47.3)
14.8
(58.6)
19.4
(66.9)
23.0
(73.4)
24.1
(75.4)
19.7
(67.5)
12.9
(55.2)
6.3
(43.3)
0.8
(33.4)
10.7
(51.3)
Average low °C (°F) −4.9
(23.2)
−4.7
(23.5)
−2.1
(28.2)
2.9
(37.2)
9.2
(48.6)
14.6
(58.3)
19.0
(66.2)
19.8
(67.6)
15.2
(59.4)
8.1
(46.6)
2.2
(36.0)
−2.1
(28.2)
6.4
(43.6)
Record low °C (°F) −16.3
(2.7)
−16.7
(1.9)
−12.9
(8.8)
−8.8
(16.2)
−0.5
(31.1)
5.3
(41.5)
10.8
(51.4)
11.3
(52.3)
3.4
(38.1)
−0.9
(30.4)
−8.2
(17.2)
−13.0
(8.6)
−16.7
(1.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 171.6
(6.76)
140.5
(5.53)
135.7
(5.34)
129.1
(5.08)
148.7
(5.85)
152.3
(6.00)
273.6
(10.77)
254.9
(10.04)
180.5
(7.11)
171.5
(6.75)
202.5
(7.97)
197.8
(7.79)
2,158.4
(84.98)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 218
(86)
175
(69)
95
(37)
7
(2.8)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
12
(4.7)
130
(51)
630
(248)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 22.3 19.6 18.0 13.9 13.0 11.2 14.2 12.5 13.3 15.2 18.8 21.8 193.8
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 20.1 17.2 11.4 0.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 11.9 63
Mean monthly sunshine hours 50.9 69.1 108.3 155.9 187.9 176.8 149.0 183.4 150.3 135.9 90.7 54.0 1,512.2
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[4][5]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[6] the population of Semboku peaked in the early 1960s and has since declined to pre-1920 levels.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1920 29,123    
1930 32,017+0.95%
1940 37,453+1.58%
1950 43,358+1.47%
1960 43,765+0.09%
1970 39,216−1.09%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 39,098−0.03%
1990 36,297−0.74%
2000 33,565−0.78%
2010 29,572−1.26%
2020 24,610−1.82%

History

The area of present-day Semboku was part of ancient Dewa Province. During the Edo period, the area came under the control of the Satake clan, who had been relocated to Kubota Domain from their former holdings in Hitachi Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Semboku District, Akita Prefecture in 1878. The town of Kakunodate was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

The city of Semboku was established on March 22, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Kakunodate and Tazawako, and the village of Nishiki (all from Semboku District).

Government

Semboku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members. The city contributes one member to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Akita 3rd District of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Semboku is based on agriculture, forestry and seasonal tourism. The city is a noted producer of craft beer, soy sauce and miso.

One event that attracts many tourists is the Rokugō Kamakura Festival, which is held each February 11 to 15.[7]

Education

Semboku has seven public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company - Akita Shinkansen

East Japan Railway Company - Tazawako Line

Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway - Akita Nairiku Line

Highway

Local attractions

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Semboku is twinned with:

Noted people from Semboku

References

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