Noheji

Noheji (野辺地町, Noheji-machi) is a town located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2020, the town had an estimated population of 12,956, and a population density of 168 persons per km² in 6,466 households.[1] The total area of the town is 81.68 square kilometers (31.54 sq mi).[2]

Noheji

野辺地
Town
Noheji Town Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Noheji in Aomori Prefecture
Noheji
 
Coordinates: 40°51′52″N 141°07′43.5″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori
DistrictKamikita
Area
 • Total81.68 km2 (31.54 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2020)
 • Total12,956
 • Density168/km2 (440/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeSakura
- FlowerRosa rugosa
- BirdCommon gull
Phone number0175-64-2111
Address
Noheiji 123-1, Kitakami-gun, Aomori-ken 039-3131
WebsiteOfficial website
Noheji town center area Aerial photograph, 1975

Geography

Noheji occupies the southeastern coastline of Mutsu Bay at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula.

Neighboring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

Climate

The town has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Noheji is 9.8°C. The average annual rainfall is 1243 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.7°C, and lowest in January, at around -2.1 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Noheji peaked in around the year 1970 and has declined over the past 50 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 10,240—    
1930 11,735+14.6%
1940 12,975+10.6%
1950 16,521+27.3%
1960 17,447+5.6%
1970 17,544+0.6%
1980 18,419+5.0%
1990 16,750−9.1%
2000 16,012−4.4%
2010 14,304−10.7%

History

The area around Noheji was inhabited by the Emishi people until the historical period, and the name “Noheji” is derived from “Nosobechi”, or “place where a pure river flows through a field” in the Ainu language. During the Edo period, the area was controlled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain and prospered due to its fishing industry and location on the road connecting Morioka Domain with the Hirosaki Domain. During the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration, the Battle of Noheji occurred between the Tokugawa loyalist forces of Morioka Domain and pro-imperial forces of Hirosaki Domain on 11 November 1868, resulting in a victory for the Imperial faction.[5] During the post-Meiji restoration creation of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, the village of Noheiji was established. Noheji was elevated to town status on 28 August 1898.

Government

Noheji has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Noheji is part of Shimokita District which contributes four members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Noheji is heavily dependent on commercial fishing, especially for scallops, and on agriculture with the raising of mountain yams predominating. The town also serves as a commercial and transportation center for the surrounding rural areas.

Education

Noheji has three public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education. The town also has one private high school.

Transportation

Railway

Aoimori Railway Company - Aoimori Railway Line

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Ōminato Line

Highway

Local attractions
  • Makado Onsen, a hot spring and ski resort

Noted people from Noheji

References
  1. Noheji Town statistics
  2. 詳細データ 青森県野辺地町. 市町村の姿 グラフと統計でみる農林水産業 (in Japanese). Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  3. Noheiji climate data
  4. Noheji population statistics
  5. "野辺地戦争戦死者の墓所" [Battle of Noheji cemetery]. Aomori Prefecture Government (in Japanese). 15 July 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
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