Yamanouchi, Nagano

Yamanouchi (山ノ内町, Yamanouchi-machi) is a town located in Shimotakai District in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population of 12,403 in 5020 households,[1] and a population density of 47 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 265.90 square kilometres (102.66 sq mi).

Yamanouchi
山ノ内町
Town
Shiga Kogen Highlands
Shiga Kogen Highlands
Flag of Yamanouchi
Flag
Official seal of Yamanouchi
Seal
Location of Yamanouchi in Nagano Prefecture
Location of Yamanouchi in Nagano Prefecture
Yamanouchi is located in Japan
Yamanouchi
Yamanouchi
 
Coordinates: 36°44′40.5″N 138°24′45.7″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
PrefectureNagano
DistrictShimotakai
Area
 • Total265.90 km2 (102.66 sq mi)
Population
 (April 2019)
 • Total12,403
 • Density47/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeTsuga sieboldii
• FlowerApple
• BirdJapanese bush warbler
Phone number0269-33-3111
Address3352-1 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano-ken 381-0498
WebsiteOfficial website

Yamanouchi, located in the Japanese Alps, includes Shiga Highlands, one of the largest ski resorts in Japan. The town of Yamanouchi hosted three venues during the 1998 Winter Olympics: Snowboarding Half-pipe events were held at Kanbayashi Snowboard Park and the technical events of Alpine skiing were held at Mount Higashidate and Mount Yakebitai. The town of Yamanouchi is a gateway to Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park via Route 292, the Shiga-Kusatsu-Kogen Highway. This route is a mountain-ridge which connects Yamanouchi to Karuizawa in the south.

Yamanouchi is also home to Jigokudani Monkey Park where Japanese macaques can be found soaking in an outdoor hot spring. These macaques were part of the opening sequence in Baraka, the 1992 non-narrative documentary film directed by Ron Fricke.

Geography

Shimotakai District, in northern mountainous Nagano Prefecture, comprises Yamanouchi town, Kijimadaira Village, and Nozawaonsen Village. Yamanouchi is the largest of these. More than 90% of Yamanouchi is covered by mountains and forests. The town measures approximately 39 kilometers east-west and 12 kilometers north-south (266 square kilometers), and has an elevation ranging from 424 meters to 2341 meters. The surrounding area is known for its forest therapy.

In winter, damp air from the Japan Sea hits the mountains causing heavy snowing. Many ski resorts operate in the area. The plateau above the town is dotted with over 70 large and small wetlands and ponds which can be traced to volcanic activity. The main mountains include Mt. Yokote, Mt. Uriwa, Mt. Iwasugeyama, Mt. Shiga, and Mt. Kousha.

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

The town has a humid continental climate characterized by warm and humid summers, and cold winters with heavy snowfall (Köppen climate classification Dfb). The average annual temperature in Yamanouchi is 2.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2020 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 15.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -9.7 °C.[2]

Demographics

The population of Yamanouchi has declined since the 1950s.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 15,617—    
1950 20,114+28.8%
1960 19,645−2.3%
1970 19,166−2.4%
1980 18,964−1.1%
1990 17,680−6.8%
2000 15,900−10.1%
2010 13,678−14.0%
2020 11,352−17.0%

History

Stone tools from the Japanese Paleolithic period, pottery from the Jōmon period, and 9 burial mounds from the Kofun period have been excavated in the area.

The area of present-day Yamanouchi was part of ancient Shinano Province. The modern town of Yamanouchi was established on April 1, 1955 by the merger of the town of Hirao with the neighboring villages of Honami and Yomase.

Education

Yamanouchi has four public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school. The closest high school is Nagano Prefectural Nakano Rissikan Senior High School[3] in the neighboring town of Nakano, Nagano near Shinshūnakano Station

  • Yamanouchi Junior High School, next to Yudanaka Station
  • Yamanouchi East Elementary School
  • Yamanouchi Nishi Elementary School
  • Yamanouchi Minami Elementary School
  • Yamanouchi North Elementary School

Transportation

Railway

Highway Bus

Highway

Sister City Relations

Local attractions
Yamanouchi, Nagano
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park
    Jigokudani Monkey Park
  • Yamanouchi City Hall
    Yamanouchi City Hall
  • Shijuhachi Pond
    Shijuhachi Pond
  • Onuma Pond
    Onuma Pond
  • The Former Yudanaka Station, now a hot spring bath
    The Former Yudanaka Station, now a hot spring bath
  • Jigokutani onsen, Korakukukan
    Jigokutani onsen, Korakukukan
  • Shiga Kogen Ski resort, Nishitateyama and Higashitateyama
    Shiga Kogen Ski resort, Nishitateyama and Higashitateyama

References
  1. Yamanouchi Town official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. Yamanouchi climate data
  3. Nagano Prefecture Nakano Rissikan High School. "長野県中野立志館高等学校". Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  4. "Biosphere Reserve Information - Shiga Highland". UNESCO. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  5. "Sora Terrace". Ryuou Ski Park. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
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