Hirakawa, Aomori

Hirakawa
平川市
City
Hirakawa city hall

Flag
Seal

Location of Hirakawa in Aomori Prefecture
Hirakawa
 
Coordinates: 40°35′2.8″N 140°33′59.3″E / 40.584111°N 140.566472°E / 40.584111; 140.566472Coordinates: 40°35′2.8″N 140°33′59.3″E / 40.584111°N 140.566472°E / 40.584111; 140.566472
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Aomori
Area
 • Total 346.01 km2 (133.60 sq mi)
Population (December 31, 2017)
 • Total 31,708
 • Density 92/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii)
- Flower Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
- Bird Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)
Phone number 0172-44-1111
Address 25-6 Kashiwagichō Fujiwara, Hirakawa-shi, Aomori-ken 036-0104
Website Official website
Seibi-en

Hirakawa (平川市, Hirakawa-shi) is a city located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 December 2017, the city had an estimated population of 31,708 in 11,860 households,[1] and a population density of 92.0 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 346.01 square kilometres (133.60 sq mi).

Geography

Hirakawa is located in the mountains and hills to be northwest of Lake Towada. The Iwaki River flows through the city. Part of the city is within the borders of the Kuroishi Onsenkyō Prefectural Natural Park.

Neighbouring municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Hirasawa has decreased steadily over the past 40 years.

Census Year Population
1970 39,360
1980 38,979
1990 37,948
2000 36,454
2010 33,764

Climate

The city has a cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hirasawa is 8.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1413 mm with September as the wettest month.The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around -3.8 °C.[3]

Climate data for Hirakawa (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)		 1.5
(34.7)		 5.6
(42.1)		 13.8
(56.8)		 19.4
(66.9)		 23.5
(74.3)		 26.6
(79.9)		 28.5
(83.3)		 23.8
(74.8)		 17.4
(63.3)		 9.9
(49.8)		 3.3
(37.9)		 14.4
(57.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.0
(26.6)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 0.9
(33.6)		 7.6
(45.7)		 13.3
(55.9)		 17.6
(63.7)		 21.4
(70.5)		 22.9
(73.2)		 18.1
(64.6)		 11.4
(52.5)		 5.0
(41)		 −0.3
(31.5)		 9.4
(48.9)
Average low °C (°F) −6.7
(19.9)		 −6.6
(20.1)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 2.1
(35.8)		 7.6
(45.7)		 12.6
(54.7)		 17.2
(63)		 18.5
(65.3)		 13.3
(55.9)		 6.5
(43.7)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −3.7
(25.3)		 4.8
(40.6)
Record low °C (°F) −16.6
(2.1)		 −15.2
(4.6)		 −13.5
(7.7)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 1.4
(34.5)		 7.9
(46.2)		 9.1
(48.4)		 3.6
(38.5)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −8.0
(17.6)		 −15.2
(4.6)		 −16.6
(2.1)
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[4]

History

The area around Hirakawa was part of the Hirosaki Domain of the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it became part of Minamitsugaru District.

The modern city of Hirakawa was established on January 1, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Hiraka and Onoe, and the village of Ikarigaseki.

Government

Hirakawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 20 members. The city elects two members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly.

Economy

The economy of Hirakawa is primarily agricultural, with rice and apples as the predominant crops. The city government is encouraging the development of highland vegetables and a local brand of beef.[5]

Education

Hirakawa has nine public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Ōu Main Line

Highway

National Route 7
National Route 102
National Route 182
National Route 454

Local attractions

References

  1. ↑ Official home page (in Japanese)
  2. ↑ Hirakawa population statistics
  3. ↑ HIrakawa climate data
  4. ↑ "Ikarigaseki（Hirakawa） 19801-2010年". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  5. ↑ "HIrakawa Introduction". Hirakawa City Government. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
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