Noheji, Aomori

Noheji 野辺地
Town
Noheji Town Hall Noheji Town Hall
Flag of Noheji Flag Official seal of Noheji Seal
Location of Noheji in Aomori Prefecture Location of Noheji in Aomori Prefecture
Noheji
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori Prefecture
District	Kamikita
Area
• Total	81.61 km2 (31.51 sq mi)
Population (April 2012)
• Total	14,045
• Density	172/km2 (450/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Rosa rugosa
- Bird	Common gull
Phone number	0175-64-2111
Address	Noheiji 123-1, Kitakami-gun, Aomori-ken 039-3131
Website	Noheji Town HP

Noheji (野辺地町, Noheji-machi) is a town located in Kamikita District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of April 2012, the town had an estimated population of 14,045 and a population density of 172 persons per km². Its total area was 81.61 km².

Geography

Noheji occupies the southeastern coastline of Mutsu Bay at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula. The village has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Kamikita District
  • Yokohama
  • Tōhoku
  • Rokkasho
• Higashitsugaru District
  • Hiranai

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 November 11, 1868. During the cadastral reform of 1889, Noheiji Village was proclaimed. It was elevated to town status on August 28, 1898.

Economy

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

Transportation

Railway

• Aoimori Railway Company
  • Aoimori Railway Line
    • Noheji
• East Japan Railway Company
  • Ōminato Line
    • Noheji, Kita-Noheji, Arito

Highway

• Japan National Route 4
• Japan National Route 279

Tourist attractions

• Makado Onsen, a hot spring and ski resort

Noted people from Noheji

• Tsuyoshi Ichinohe – skier
• Takaya Eguchi - modern dancer

External links

• (Japanese) Noheji official website