Ōarai, Ibaraki

Ōarai
大洗町
Town
Ōarai town hall

Flag
Seal

Location of Ōarai in Ibaraki Prefecture
Ōarai
 
Coordinates: 36°18′48″N 140°34′29.5″E / 36.31333°N 140.574861°E / 36.31333; 140.574861Coordinates: 36°18′48″N 140°34′29.5″E / 36.31333°N 140.574861°E / 36.31333; 140.574861
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Ibaraki Prefecture
District HIgashiibaraki
Area
 • Total 23.74 km2 (9.17 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
 • Total 16,823
 • Density 709/km2 (1,840/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Pine
- Flower Azalea
- Bird Common gull
Phone number 029-288-3111
Address 6881-275 Isohamacho, Ōarai-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki-ken 311-1392
Website http://www.town.oarai.lg.jp/
Ōarai coast

Ōarai (大洗町, Ōarai-machi) is a town located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the town had an estimated population of 16,823, and a population density of 709 persons per km². Its total area is 23.74 km². The Japan Atomic Energy Agency operates a research center in Ōarai with a number of nuclear research reactors, including the Jōyō and High-temperature engineering test reactor facilities.

Geography

Located on the coast of central Ibaraki Prefecture, Ōarai is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Naka River flows through the town. Ōarai and Sun Beach bathing beaches were first to introduce barrier-free bathing beaches for the disabled in Japan.

Surrounding municipalities

History

The villages of Isohama and Ōnuki within Higashiibaraki District and the village of Natsumi within Kashima District were created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Ōnuki was elevated to town status on January 26, 1894. Ōnuki and Isohama merged on November 3, 1954 to create the town of Ōarai. A portion of Natsumi was annexed by Ōarai on July 23, 1955.

Economy

The nuclear industry and government largess form the basis of the local economy. Main agricultural products include rice, sweet potatoes and Japanese radish. Main fishery products include whitebait, sardines, flounder and clams. Marine food processing includes salted and dried horse mackerel, smelt and sardines and boiled octopus.

Education

  • Ōarai has two elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

Transportation

Train

Highway

Seaport

Local attractions

Ōarai attracts 3 million visitors a year. Tourist attractions include bathing beaches, yacht and cruiser marina, marine sports, camping site, fishing, aquarium, and a famous golf course. It is known for its monkfish.[1]

  • Oarai Beach
  • Aqua World (formerly Oarai Aquarium)
  • Oarai Marine Tower
  • Oarai Sea Museum
  • Oarai Museum of Art
  • Oarai Museum of Bakumatsu-Meiji History
  • "Kurumazuka-kofun" and "Kagamizuka-kofun"
  • Ōarai Isozaki Jinja

Noted people from Ōarai

The main characters of the animated series Girls und Panzer study in a huge ship originally based in Ōarai. Real locations in the city are depicted faithfully, prompting fans to visit the town and giving a boost to local commerce. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Monkfish Hot Pot - あんこう鍋". WASHOKU@KITCHEN Blog. Wordpress. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Oarai, Home of Girls und Panzer". Infinite Mirai Blog. Wordpress. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
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