Nasukarasuyama

Nasukarasuyama (那須烏山市) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 25,783 in 10,509 households, and a population density of 150 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 174.35 sqkm.

Geography
Nasukarasuyama is located in the center-eastern part of Tochigi Prefecture, at the western foot of the Yamizo Mountains, at the southern end of the Shiona Hills, and in the middle reaches of the Naka River. The old Karasuyama town area is located on the right bank of the Naka River. The city is 30–35 km northeast from the prefectural capital of Utsunomiya. Nasukarasuyama is the political, economic, and administrative base for the eastern part of the prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities

 * Tochigi Prefecture
 * Sakura
 * Nakagawa
 * Takanezawa
 * Ichikai
 * Ibaraki Prefecture
 * Hitachiōmiya

Climate
Nasukarasuyama has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nasukarasuyama is 13.2 C. The average annual rainfall is 1436.3 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 29 C, and lowest in January, at around 0.9 C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Nasukarasuyama has declined over the past 30 years.

History
The area began as a castle town for Karasuyama Domain in the Edo period, centered on Karasuyama Castle, a fortification dating to the Kamakura period. Karasuyama Town was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It merged with the neighboring villages of Mukada, Sakai, and Nanago on March 31, 1954. The modern city of Nasukarasuyama was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Karasuyama and Minaminasu (both from Nasu District).

Government
Nasukarasuyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city assembly of 17 members. Nasukarasuyama, together with the town of Nakagawa a collectively contributes one member to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
Nasukarasuyama has primarily an agricultural economy, with a secondary emphasis on tourism.

Education

 * Nasukarasuyama has five public primary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.

Railway
JR East – Karasuyama Line
 * Kōnoyama - Ōgane - Kobana - Taki - Karasuyama

Local attractions

 * Yamaage Kaikan
 * Karasuyama Castle

Sister City

 * Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA