Hirakawa, Aomori

Hirakawa 平川市
City
Hirakawa city hall Hirakawa city hall
Flag of Hirakawa Flag Official seal of Hirakawa Seal
Location of Hirakawa in Aomori Prefecture Location of Hirakawa in Aomori Prefecture
Hirakawa
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori Prefecture
Area
• Total	346.01 km2 (133.60 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
• Total	32,127
• Density	92.8/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- 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

Hirakawa (平川市, Hirakawa-shi) is a city located in south-central Aomori Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan.

As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 32,127 and a population density of 92.8 persons per km². The total area was 346.01 square kilometres (133.60 sq mi).

Geography

Hirakawa is located in the mountains and hills to be northwest of Lake Towada. The city has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool summers and cold winters with very heavy snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Aomori Prefecture
  • Hirosaki
  • Kuroishi
  • Towada
  • Minamitsugaru District
    • Inakadate
    • Owani
• Akita Prefecture
  • Ōdate
  • Kosaka

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 (all from Minamitsugaru District).

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.

Education

Hirahara has nine elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools.

Transportation

Railway

• East Japan Railway Company -Ōu Main Line
  • • Tsugaru-Yunosawa, Ikarigaseki
• Kōnan Railway Company -Kōnan Railway Kōnan Line
  • Tachita, Hiraka, Hakunōkōkōmae, Tsugaru-Onoe, Onoekōkōmae

Highway

• Japan National Route 7
• Japan National Route 102
• Japan National Route 182
• Japan National Route 454

Local attractions

• Saruka Jinja
• Seito shoin teien
• Seibi-en
• Nurukawa onsen
• Ikarigaseki onsen
• Hisayoshi Dam

External links

• Official website (Japanese)