Kuzumaki, Iwate

Kuzumaki
葛巻町
Town
Kuzumaki Town Hall

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Location of Kuzumaki in Iwate Prefecture
Kuzumaki
Location of Kuzumaki in Iwate Prefecture
Coordinates: 40°02′23.4″N 141°26′11.4″E / 40.039833°N 141.436500°E / 40.039833; 141.436500Coordinates: 40°02′23.4″N 141°26′11.4″E / 40.039833°N 141.436500°E / 40.039833; 141.436500
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Iwate
District Iwate
Area
 • Total 434.99 km2 (167.95 sq mi)
Population (October 2016)
 • Total 6,149
 • Density 14.1/km2 (37/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols  
• Tree Silver birch
• Flower Hagi
• Bird Copper pheasant
Phone number 0195-66-2111　
Address Kuzumaki dai-16 jiwari 1-1, Kuzumaki-machi, Iwate-gun, Iwate-ken 028-5494
Website http://www.town.kuzumaki.iwate.jp/

Kuzumaki (葛巻町, Kuzumaki-machi) is a town located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2016, the town had an estimated population of 6,149, and a population density of 14.1 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 434.96 square kilometres (167.94 sq mi). The town uses many alternative energy sources, producing a surplus of energy, including wind power and biomass.[1]

Geography

Kuzumaki is located in a basin in north-central Iwate Prefecture with an average elevation of 400 meters, surrounded by the 1000 meter mountains of the Kitakami Mountains. Approximately 60% of the town area is mountains and forests.[2] The Mabechi River flows through the town.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Kuzumaki has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Kuzumaki is 7.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1434 mm with September as the wettest month and February as the driest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -5.1 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Kuzumaki has declined over the past 40 years, and is now only half of what it was in 1970.

Census Year Population
1970 14,135
1980 11,972
1990 10,364
2000 8,725
2010 7,307

History

The area of present-day Kuzumaki was part of ancient Mutsu Province. It was under the control of the Nambu clan from the Muromachi period, and was part of Hachinohe Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. The area was noted for its horse ranches.

The villages of Kuzumaki and Ekari within Kita-Kunohe District and the village of Tabe within Iwate District were created on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of the municipality system. Kita-Kunohe District and Minami-Kunohe Districts merged to form Kunohe District on April 1, 1897. Kuzumaki was raised to town status on December 25, 1940. On July 1, 1948, Kuzumaki and Isashi were transferred to Iwate District. Kuzumaki annexed neighboring Ekari and Tabe on July 15, 1955.

Economy

The local economy is based on agriculture, including dairy products and wine production.

Education

Kuzumaki has five public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Iwate Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

  • Kuzumaki is not served by any passenger railway connections.

Highway

References

  1. ↑ Masters, Coco. "A Japanese Town That Kicked the Oil Habit." Time. December 22, 2008. Retrieved on December 25, 2008.
  2. ↑ Kuzumaki official home page, land usage (in Japanese)
  3. ↑ Kuzumaki climate data
  4. ↑ Kuzumaki population statistics

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