Obanazawa



Obanazawa (尾花沢市) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 15,237, and a population density of 40.9 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 372.32 km2.

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
 * Murayama
 * Ōishida
 * Mogami
 * Funagata
 * Miyagi Prefecture
 * Kami
 * Sendai

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. The average annual temperature in Obanazawa is 10.8 C. The average annual rainfall is 1538.5 mm with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.7 C, and lowest in January, at around -1.0 C. The city is noted for its very heavy snowfall in winter.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Obanazawa peaked around 1950 and has declined considerably since then.

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 village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, 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.

Government
Obanazawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 14 members. The city contributes one member to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for its watermelons.

Education
Obanazawa has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education.

Railway
East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line
 * Ashisawa (However, central Obanazawa is also served by Ōishida Station in neighboring Ōishida).

Highway

 * – Obanazawa Interchange

Local attractions

 * Ginzan Onsen
 * Nobesawa Ginzan, a National Historic Site

Noted people

 * Kotonowaka Terumasa, sumo wrestler
 * Norio Sasaki, Japan national women's soccer team head coach