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Hirakawa, Aomori

Coordinates: 40°35′2.8″N 140°33′59.3″E / 40.584111°N 140.566472°E / 40.584111; 140.566472
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(Redirected from 平川市)
Hirakawa
平川市
Seibi-en
Seibi-en
Flag of Hirakawa
Official seal of Hirakawa
Map
Location of Hirakawa in Aomori Prefecture
Location of Hirakawa
Hirakawa is located in Japan
Hirakawa
Hirakawa
 
Coordinates: 40°35′2.8″N 140°33′59.3″E / 40.584111°N 140.566472°E / 40.584111; 140.566472
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori
Area
 • Total346.01 km2 (133.60 sq mi)
Population
 (January 31, 2023)
 • Total30,086
 • Density87/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0172-44-1111
Address25-6 Kashiwagichō Fujiwara, Hirakawa-shi, Aomori-ken 036-0104
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdOriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)
FlowerIndian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
TreeJapanese black pine
Ikarigaseki Onsen

Hirakawa (平川市, Hirakawa-shi) is a city located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 30,086 in 14,181 households,[1] and a population density of 89 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 346.01 square kilometres (133.60 sq mi).

Geography

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Hirakawa is located in the mountains and hills to the 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

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Akita Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture

Climate

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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 Hirakawa 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.[2]

Climate data for Hirakawa (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °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)
−0.3
(31.5)
9.4
(48.9)
Mean daily minimum °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
(63.0)
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[3]

History

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The area around Hirakawa was part of the Hirosaki Domain of the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, it became part of Minamitsugaru District, Aomori. The village of Onoe was raised to town status on April 1, 1937. The city of Hirakawa was established on January 1, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Hiraka and Onoe, and the village of Ikarigaseki.

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Hirakawa has decreased steadily over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1960 42,492—    
1970 39,360−0.76%
1980 38,979−0.10%
1990 37,948−0.27%
2000 36,454−0.40%
2010 33,764−0.76%
2020 30,567−0.99%

Government

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Hirakawa city hall

Hirakawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. The city elects two members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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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

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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

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Railway

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

Kōnan Railway Company - Kōnan Railway Kōnan Line

Highway

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

Local attractions

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References

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  1. ^ Hirakawa City Official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Hirakawa climate data
  3. ^ "Ikarigaseki(Hirakawa) 19801-2010年". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  4. ^ Hirakawa population statistics
  5. ^ "Hirakawa Introduction". Hirakawa City Government. Archived from the original on 14 May 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  6. ^ "盛美園". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Seitoshi shoin teien". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
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