Ōkura, Yamagata

Ōkura
大蔵村
Village
Ōkura Village Hall

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Location of Ōkura in Yamagata Prefecture
Ōkura
 
Coordinates: 38°42′N 140°14′E / 38.700°N 140.233°E / 38.700; 140.233Coordinates: 38°42′N 140°14′E / 38.700°N 140.233°E / 38.700; 140.233
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Yamagata
District Mogami
Area
 • Total 211.59 km2 (81.70 sq mi)
Population (October 2013)
 • Total 3,541
 • Density 16.7/km2 (43/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols  
• Tree Japanese beech
• Flower Japanese gentian
• Bird Copper pheasant
Phone number 0233-75-2111　 
Address 2528 Kiyomizu, Ōkura-mura, Mogami-gun, Yamagata-ken 999-0212
Website http://www.vill.ohkura.yamagata.jp/

Ōkura (大蔵村, Ōkura-mura) is a village in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of October 2013, the village has an estimated population of 3,541, and a population density of 16.7 persons per km2. The total area is 211.59 square kilometres (82 sq mi).

Geography

Ōkura is located in a mountainous north-central eastern Yamagata Prefecture, and includes Mount Gassan within its borders. The Mogami River runs through the village. The area is known for extremely heavy snows in winter. Its highest accumulation of snow recorded is 414 cm, second place in Japan after Sukayu Onsen in Aomori. Snow typically starts in November, and starts piling up on the ground by early December. The snow will usually stop by early May, but will not completely melt until mid-June. Similar to Sukayu Onsen, snowfalls of 50 to 100 cm in a single day are not uncommon at all.

Neighboring municipalities

History

The area of present-day Ōkura was part of ancient Dewa Province. During the Sengoku period, the area was under the control of the Mogami clan. During the Edo period, the village was a river port on the Mogami River and a post station on the pilgrimage route to Mount Gassan. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture. The modern village of Ōkura was established on April 1, 1889.

Economy

The main industry is agriculture (tomato and buckwheat), sake production, and seasonal tourism to its hot spring resorts. Kokeshi dolls are a noted local handicraft.

Transportation

Railways

Ōkura is not served by any train station.

Highways

Local attractions

  • ruins of Shimizu Castle
  • Hijiori hot springs
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