Obanazawa, Yamagata

Obanazawa 尾花沢市
City
Ginzan Onsen in the snow
Flag Seal
Location of Obanazawa in Yamagata Prefecture
Obanazawa
Coordinates: 38°36′N 140°24′E / 38.600°N 140.400°ECoordinates: 38°36′N 140°24′E / 38.600°N 140.400°E
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Yamagata
Area
• Total	373.32 km^2 (144.14 sq mi)
Population (October 2013)
• Total	17,756
• Density	47.7/km^2 (124/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Japanese Zelkova
- Flower	Azalea
Phone number	0237-22-1111
Address	1-1-3 Wakabachō, Obanazawa-shi, Yamagata-ken 999-4292
Website	Official website

Obanazawa City Hall

Obanazawa (尾花沢市 Obanazawa-shi) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 2013, the city had an estimated population of 17,756 and a population density of 47.7 persons per km². The total area was 372.32 square kilometres (144 sq mi).

Geography

Obanazawa is located in a mountain valley northeast Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by the Mogami River to the west and the Ōu Mountains to the east.

Neighboring municipalities

• Yamagata Prefecture
  • Higashine, Yamagata
  • Murayama, Yamagata
  • Ōishida, Yamagata
  • Mogami, Yamagata
  • Funagata, Yamagata
• Miyagi Prefecture
  • Kami, Miyagi
  • Sendai, Miyagi

Climate

Obanazawa has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

History

The area of present-day Obanazawa was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitamurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The modern village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889, and was raised to town status on July 26, 1897. It was made a city on April 10, 1959.

Obanazawa is the origin of one version of the Dontsuki song, the 'Hanagasa Dance Song,' a song sung in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture.^[1][2]

Economy

The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for its watermelons.^[3]

Transportation

Railway

• JR East - Ōu Main Line
  • Ashisawa Station (However, central Obanazawa is also served by Ōishida Station in neighboring Ōishida).

Highway

• Tōhoku Chūō Expressway: Obanazawa interchange
• National Route 13
• National Route 347

Local attractions

• Ginzan Onsen

Noted people from Obanazawa

• Kotonowaka Terumasa – sumo wrestler
• Norio Sasaki – Japan national women’s soccer team head coach

References

1. http://www.hanagasa.jp/en/origins.html
2. http://www.hanagasa.jp/en/origins.html
3. http://www.city.obanazawa.yamagata.jp/1617.html

External links

Media related to Obanazawa, Yamagata at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (Japanese)