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Aizuwakamatsu

Coordinates:37°29′41.4″N139°55′47.1″E/ 37.494833°N 139.929750°E/37.494833; 139.929750
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Aizuwakamatsu
Hội tân nhược tùng thị
City
Aizuwakamatsu skyline in November 2020
Aizuwakamatsu skyline in November 2020
Flag of Aizuwakamatsu
Flag
Official seal of Aizuwakamatsu
Seal
Location of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture
Location of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture
Aizuwakamatsu is located in Japan
Aizuwakamatsu
Aizuwakamatsu
Coordinates:37°29′41.4″N139°55′47.1″E/ 37.494833°N 139.929750°E/37.494833; 139.929750
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
First official recorded400 AD
City Settled for WakamatsuApril 1, 1899
Current city name changedJanuary 1, 1955
Government
• MayorIchirō Kanke
Area
• Total382.97 km2(147.87 sq mi)
Population
(March 1, 2020)
• Total119,232
• Density310/km2(810/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9(Japan Standard Time)
– TreeJapanese Red Pine
– FlowerCommon Hollyhock
– BirdCommon cuckoo
Phone number0242-39-1111
Address3–46 Higashisakaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken 965-8601
WebsiteOfficial website
Higashiyama Onsen

Aizuwakamatsu(Hội tân nhược tùng thị,Aizuwakamatsu-shi)is acityinFukushima Prefecture,Japan. As of 1 January 2021,the city had an estimated population of 118,159 in 50,365 households,[1]and apopulation densityof 310 persons per km2.The total area of the city was 382.97 square kilometres (147.87 sq mi).

Geography

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Mount Iimori

Aizuwakamatsu is located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture, in the southeast part of Aizu basin.

Mountains

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  • Mount Ōtodake (1416 m)
  • Mount Seaburi
  • Mount Oda
  • Mount Iimori

Rivers

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  • Aga River
  • Nippashi River
  • Yugawa River
  • Sesenagi River

Lakes

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Hot springs

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  • Higashiyama Onsen
  • Ashinomaki Onsen

Administrative divisions

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There are 11 administrative divisions (hamlets or đại tự(ooaza)) in the city.[2]

  • Wakamatsu
  • Machikita
  • Kouya
  • Kouzashi
  • Monden
  • Ikki
  • Higashiyama
  • Ōto
  • Minato
  • Kitaaizu
  • Kawahigashi

Neighboring municipalities

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Fukushima Prefecture

The city skyline seen from Aizuwakamatsu Castle, 2017

Climate

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Aizuwakamatsu has a hot-summerhumid continental climate(KöppenDfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. Although it is located in an inland valley, Aizuwakamatsu's climate resembles that of theHokuriku regionon theSea of Japancoast. Snowfall is very heavy during the winter at 4.78 metres (190 in), and snow cover reaches an average maximum of 0.39 metres (15.35 in) and has reached as much as 1.15 metres (45.3 in) for short periods, a figure one would usually associate with much colder regions like theLabrador Peninsula.The average annual temperature in Aizuwakamatsu is 11.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1270 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.2 °C.[3]

Climate data for Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1953−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.1
(55.6) 		16.1
(61.0) 		22.8
(73.0) 		30.5
(86.9) 		35.6
(96.1) 		36.4
(97.5) 		37.3
(99.1) 		38.5
(101.3) 		37.1
(98.8) 		31.3
(88.3) 		24.5
(76.1) 		20.9
(69.6) 		38.5
(101.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.9
(37.2) 		4.0
(39.2) 		8.9
(48.0) 		16.6
(61.9) 		22.7
(72.9) 		26.0
(78.8) 		29.2
(84.6) 		30.8
(87.4) 		26.1
(79.0) 		19.5
(67.1) 		12.2
(54.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		17.1
(62.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5) 		0.1
(32.2) 		3.7
(38.7) 		10.1
(50.2) 		16.2
(61.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		24.0
(75.2) 		25.2
(77.4) 		20.8
(69.4) 		14.1
(57.4) 		7.4
(45.3) 		2.2
(36.0) 		12.0
(53.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.4
(25.9) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		4.3
(39.7) 		10.3
(50.5) 		15.9
(60.6) 		20.1
(68.2) 		20.8
(69.4) 		16.6
(61.9) 		9.8
(49.6) 		3.3
(37.9) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		7.7
(45.9)
Record low °C (°F) −14.4
(6.1) 		−15.2
(4.6) 		−11.9
(10.6) 		−4.6
(23.7) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		6.9
(44.4) 		9.1
(48.4) 		10.3
(50.5) 		4.8
(40.6) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−5.9
(21.4) 		−14.4
(6.1) 		−15.2
(4.6)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 102.4
(4.03) 		69.2
(2.72) 		77.5
(3.05) 		63.1
(2.48) 		75.8
(2.98) 		108.6
(4.28) 		196.4
(7.73) 		139.1
(5.48) 		124.0
(4.88) 		112.6
(4.43) 		75.5
(2.97) 		108.7
(4.28) 		1,252.9
(49.31)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 121
(48) 		90
(35) 		41
(16) 		3
(1.2) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4) 		72
(28) 		328
(128.6)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.5 mm) 19.0 16.1 16.6 12.0 11.4 12.2 15.2 12.6 12.4 12.4 15.1 18.3 173.3
Average snowy days 27.6 23.8 17.5 4.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 7.0 22.4 102.5
Averagerelative humidity(%) 82 79 74 67 67 73 79 77 79 80 83 84 77
Mean monthlysunshine hours 78.0 99.0 144.0 172.0 201.2 165.3 156.9 195.1 141.8 122.1 89.1 67.1 1,631.6
Source 1:Japan Meteorological Agency[4]
Source 2:Japan Meteorological Agency(records)[5]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[6]the population of Aizuwakamatsu peaked around the year 1990 and had since declined to pre-1960 levels.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950115,578—
1960119,402+3.3%
1970120,839+1.2%
1980130,883+8.3%
1990136,336+4.2%
2000135,415−0.7%
2010126,125−6.9%
2020117,376−6.9%

History

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Aizuwakamatsu Castleafter theBattle of Aizu,1868 photograph.

The area of present-day Aizuwakamatsu was part of ancientMutsu Province,and was settled from prehistoric times. TheAizu-Otsuka Kofunwithin the city borders dates from the 4th century AD, and is anImportant Cultural Property.

According to legend, in 88 BCE,Emperor Sujinsent two generals; Ohiko and Takenukawa-wake to theTōhoku regionfor the purpose of establishing peace after the quashing of a rebellion in the region.[7]

Before the late 12th century, Aizuwakamatsu was mainly a market town and a base for regional warlords. Starting in 1192, Aizuwakamatsu became part of the regions that were controlled by theKamakura shogunate.Soon after taking power, Yoritomo granted asamurainamed Suwara Yoshitsura (from theMiura clan) all of Aizu. A descendant of Suwara, Ashina Morinori, began construction of the first castle in the city in 1384.[7]During theSengoku periodthe final lord of Aizu, Ashina Moritaka, died in 1583 and soon theAshina clanlost power. After theSatake clantook control of the castle, they placed a twelve-year-old member of their clan who was renamed Ashina Morishige and proclaimed lord of Aizu. The Ashina clan regained control of Aizu for a brief time in 1589 with the help ofDate Masamune.However, Masamune took over the domain for himself soon after. He surrendered in 1590 toToyotomi Hideyoshi.Toyotomi gave Aizu to one of his allies,Gamo Ujisatowho then began construction in 1592 of a new castle at the site. It was during this time that the town was renamed "Wakamatsu" (young pine).[7]

During theEdo period,Aizu was controlled briefly byUesugi Kagekatsuin 1600 after the death of Gamo Ujisato in 1596.Tokugawa Ieyasuaccused Uesugi of gathering troops in Aizu. Ieyasu then transferred the Uesugi toYonezawa.Through inheritance, Aizu was passed toHoshina Masayuki(a brother of the third Tokugawa shogun) in 1643. TheEdo periodsaw the economic and cultural growth of Aizu.[7]

Hoshina's descendants would rule theAizu Domainfor the next 200 years, adopting theMatsudairaname until the ninth generationDaimyō,Matsudaira Katamori,backed thebakufuin theBoshin War.Aizuwakamatsu Castlewould fall during theBattle of Aizuand the domain forfeit. A group of 22, including loyal retainers and their families, managed to escape to California and lend the name of their home to establish the first Japanese colony in America, the ill fatedWakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colonyin 1869.[8]

After theMeiji Restoration,Wakamatsu Town was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It became Wakamatsu City in 1899. On April 1, 1937, a part of Machikita village (fromKitaaizu District) was merged into the city of Wakamatsu. The remained was annexed on April 1, 1951. The name of the city was changed to Aizuwakamatsu on January 1, 1955 when Wakamatsu merged with seven villages of Kitaaizu District (Kouya, Kouzashi, Monden, Ikki, Higashiyama, Ōto and Minato).[citation needed].A part of the town ofHongō(locality of Oya) (fromŌnuma District) was merged into Aizuwakamatsu on April 1, 1955.

Aizuwakamatsu further expanded by annexing the village ofKitaaizu(from Kitaaizu District) on November 1, 2004 and the town ofKawahigashi(fromKawanuma District) on November 1, 2005.[citation needed]

Government

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Aizuwakamatsu City Hall

Aizuwakamatsu has amayor-councilform of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameralcity legislature of 29 members[9]The city contributes four members to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Fukushima Electoral District 4 for thelower houseof theDiet of Japan.

Economy

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Aizuwakamatsu is a local commercial center. The area is traditionally noted forsakebrewing and lacquerware. Modern industries include textiles, wood processing and electronics.[10]

Education

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Aizuwakamatsu has one prefectural university and a private junior college. The city has 19 public elementary school and 11 public junior high schools operated by the city government. In addition, there is one private elementary school and one private junior high school. The Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education operates five public high schools and one combined junior/senior high school. The prefecture also operates two special education schools.

Universities and colleges

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Senior high schools

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Public (prefectural)

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  • Aizu High School ( hội tân cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Aoi High School ( quỳ cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Aizu Gakuhō High School ( hội tân học phượng cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Wakamatsu Shōgyō High School ( nhược tùng thương nghiệp cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Aizu Kōgyō High School ( nhược tùng công nghiệp cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Aizu Second High School ( hội tân đệ nhị cao đẳng học giáo )

Private

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  • Aizuwakamatsu Xaverio Gakuen High School ( hội tân nhược tùng ザベリオ học viên cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Wakamatsu 1st High School ( nhược tùng đệ nhất cao đẳng học giáo )
  • Jinai High School ( nhân ái cao đẳng học giáo )

Junior high schools

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Public (municipal)

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  • Aizuwakamatsu First Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ nhất trung học giáo )
  • Aizuwakamatsu Second Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ nhị trung học giáo )
  • Aizuwakamatsu Third Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ tam trung học giáo )
  • Aizuwakamatsu Fourth Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ tứ trung học giáo )
  • Aizuwakamatsu Fifth Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ ngũ trung học giáo )
  • Aizuwakamatsu Sixth Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng thị lập đệ lục trung học giáo )
  • Ikki Junior High School ( nhất ki trung học giáo )
  • Ōto Junior High School ( đại hộ trung học giáo )
  • Minato Junior High School ( thấu trung học giáo )
  • Kitaaizu Junior High School ( bắc hội tân trung học giáo )
  • Kawahigashi Junior High School ( hà đông trung học giáo )
  • Aizu Gakuhō Junior High School ( hội tân học phượng trung học giáo, prefectural)
    • Note: All junior high schools are municipal except for Aizu Gakuhō Junior High School.

Private

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  • Aizuwakamatsu Xaverio Gakuen Junior High School ( hội tân nhược tùng ザベリオ học viên trung học giáo )

Transportation

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Classic Town Bus "Haikara-san"

Railway

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JR East–Banetsu West Line

JR East–Tadami Line

Aizu Railway–Aizu Line

Highway

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Bus

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Media

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Television

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Newspapers

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  • Fukushima Mimpō
  • Fukushima Min-Yū

Radio

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  • FM Aizu

Sister cities

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Japanese sister cities

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International sister cities

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Local attractions

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Aizuwakamatsu Castle(Tsuruga-jo)
Aizu Samurai Residences

Culture

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Festivals

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  • Aizu Festival

Foods

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Sauce Katsu-don
  • Kozuyu
  • Sauce Katsu-don
  • Basashi (horse sashimi)
  • Soba
  • Boutara
  • Sake

Others

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Notable people from Aizuwakamatsu

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References

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  1. ^Aizuwakamatsu city official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. ^Mỗi nguyệt đại tự biệt nhân khẩuArchived2011-07-26 at theWayback Machine(in Japanese)
  3. ^Aizuwakamatsu climate data
  4. ^"Bình niên trị ダウンロード".Japan Meteorological Agency.Retrieved2021-04-09.
  5. ^"Quan trắc sử thượng 1～10 vị の trị ( niên gian を thông じての trị )".Japan Meteorological Agency.Retrieved2021-04-14.
  6. ^Aizuwakamatsu population statistics
  7. ^abcdSchellinger, Paul; Salkin, Robert, eds. (1996).International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania.Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. p. 10.ISBN1-884964-04-4.
  8. ^Dowd, Katie (26 January 2021)."The only samurai colony ever attempted outside of Japan was in California".San Francisco Chronicle.Retrieved31 January2021.
  9. ^Aizuwakamatsu city council home pageArchived2019-07-24 at theWayback Machine(in Japanese)
  10. ^Campbell, Allen; Nobel, David S (1993).Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia.Kodansha. p. 24.ISBN406205938X.
  11. ^"Hubei provincial government site".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-04.Retrieved2014-10-24.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forAizuwakamatsu.
Wikimedia Commons has media related toAizuwakamatsu.
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