Ohasama, Iwate
Encyclopedia
, formerly an independent town
, is now a district of Hanamaki
in the heart of the Iwate Prefecture
in the north of Honshū
, Japan
.
As of November, 2005, the town had an estimated population
of 6,766 people. The total area
was 246.84 km² (apx. 96 mi².).
On January 1, 2006 Ōhasama was merged with the town of Tōwa
, from Waga District
, the town of Ishidoriya
, from Hienuki District, and the old city of Hanamaki to form the new city of Hanamaki
(which lies to the south).
; about 25 km south of the prefectural capital of Morioka
.
Ōhasama is itself composed of four major areas: Ōhasama (大迫）proper, which lies in the center; Uchikawame (内川目), a valley to the north; Sotokawame
(外川目), to the east; and to the west is the flatter farmland of Kamegamori (亀々森).
In the northeast section of Ōhasama is Mt. Hayachine (早池峰山）which, at an altitude
of 1917 m. (6289 ft.), is the second highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture
after Mt. Iwate in Morioka
.
Ōhasama lies in the mountainous region of the Kitakami River area. This results in a sharp contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures - most noticeably in the summer. It also receives little snow or rainfall compared to surrounding areas.
of Ōhasama is well suited to the growing of grapes. The town is home to the regionally well-known Edel Wine
. In September, the Ōhasama Wine House hosts the annual Wine Festival.
The shrine at Mount Hayachine is famous for a local
variety of Kagura
（神楽）. Kagura dancers often appear at area festivals or functions. On a hill above the town of Ōhasama proper stands a statue resembling the wolf-like costumes donned by Hayachine Kagura dancers.
Mt. Hayachine is also home to a particular species of edelweiss
, called
Hayachine Usuyukisou, which grows exclusively on the mountain. It was
because of this flower that mountain climbers from
Ōhasama forged a friendship with those from Berndorf, Austria
, resulting
in the two becoming sister cities in 1965.
Around the time of Japan's Girls' Festival
, Ōhasama puts on displays of its collection of dolls: many of which are several hundred years old. Local history suggests that the dolls may have been given to residents of Ōhasama by travelers from Kyoto
on their way to trade in Hokkaidō
.
, Lower Austria
, since 1965. The student exchange programme between Berndorf grammar school and Ōhasama high school will be continued despite the incorporation.
As part of the city of Hanamaki, Ohasama is also twinned with Hot Springs, Arkansas
. As of 2007, Ōhasama Junior High School has begun a sister school partnership with Jessieville
Middle School in Arkansas, U.S.A. thanks to a friendship forged during a visit to Hanamaki by visitors from the Jessieville School.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
, is now a district of Hanamaki
Hanamaki, Iwate
is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated total population of 102,455, with a household number of 35,831. Hanamaki is most famous as the birthplace of Kenji Miyazawa and for its onsen. The city recently celebrated the 50th anniversary since its...
in the heart of the Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
in the north of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As of November, 2005, the town had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 6,766 people. The total area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
was 246.84 km² (apx. 96 mi².).
On January 1, 2006 Ōhasama was merged with the town of Tōwa
Towa, Iwate
was a town located in Waga District, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is currently a branch of Hanamaki City.On January 1, 2006 Tōwa was merged with the towns of Ishidoriya and Ōhasama, both from Hienuki District, and the old city of Hanamaki to form the new city of Hanamaki.As of 2003, the town had an...
, from Waga District
Waga District, Iwate
is a district located in Iwate Prefecture. Since 2006, it has included just the town of Nishiwaga.-History:* 1878 Due to the land reforms, the district split into Higashiwaga and Nishiwaga Districts....
, the town of Ishidoriya
Ishidoriya, Iwate
was a town located in Hienuki District, Iwate, Japan.On January 1, 2006 Ishidoriya was merged with the town of Tōwa, from Waga District, the town of Ōhasama, from Hienuki District, and the old city of Hanamaki to form the new city of Hanamaki....
, from Hienuki District, and the old city of Hanamaki to form the new city of Hanamaki
Hanamaki, Iwate
is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated total population of 102,455, with a household number of 35,831. Hanamaki is most famous as the birthplace of Kenji Miyazawa and for its onsen. The city recently celebrated the 50th anniversary since its...
(which lies to the south).
Geography
Ōhasama is located roughly in the center of Iwate PrefectureIwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
; about 25 km south of the prefectural capital of Morioka
Morioka, Iwate
is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 300,740 and a population density of 588.11 persons per km². The total area is 489.15 km²....
.
Ōhasama is itself composed of four major areas: Ōhasama (大迫）proper, which lies in the center; Uchikawame (内川目), a valley to the north; Sotokawame
(外川目), to the east; and to the west is the flatter farmland of Kamegamori (亀々森).
In the northeast section of Ōhasama is Mt. Hayachine (早池峰山）which, at an altitude
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
of 1917 m. (6289 ft.), is the second highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
after Mt. Iwate in Morioka
Morioka, Iwate
is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 300,740 and a population density of 588.11 persons per km². The total area is 489.15 km²....
.
Ōhasama lies in the mountainous region of the Kitakami River area. This results in a sharp contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures - most noticeably in the summer. It also receives little snow or rainfall compared to surrounding areas.
Local Culture
The climateClimate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
of Ōhasama is well suited to the growing of grapes. The town is home to the regionally well-known Edel Wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
. In September, the Ōhasama Wine House hosts the annual Wine Festival.
The shrine at Mount Hayachine is famous for a local
variety of Kagura
Kagura
- Fictional characters :*Kagura Tsuchimiya, the protagonist of Ga-rei*Kagura, an InuYasha character*Kagura Sohma , a Fruits Basket character*Kagura, an Azumanga Daioh character*Ten'nōzu Kagura, a Speed Grapher character...
（神楽）. Kagura dancers often appear at area festivals or functions. On a hill above the town of Ōhasama proper stands a statue resembling the wolf-like costumes donned by Hayachine Kagura dancers.
Mt. Hayachine is also home to a particular species of edelweiss
Edelweiss
Edelweiss , Leontopodium alpinum, is a well-known European mountain flower, belonging to the sunflower family.-Names:The common name comes from German edel, meaning "noble", and weiß "white", thus signifying "noble whiteness".The scientific name Leontopodium is a Latin adaptation of Greek...
, called
Hayachine Usuyukisou, which grows exclusively on the mountain. It was
because of this flower that mountain climbers from
Ōhasama forged a friendship with those from Berndorf, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, resulting
in the two becoming sister cities in 1965.
Around the time of Japan's Girls' Festival
Hinamatsuri
The Japanese , or Girls' Day, is held on March 3. Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.- Origin and customs :...
, Ōhasama puts on displays of its collection of dolls: many of which are several hundred years old. Local history suggests that the dolls may have been given to residents of Ōhasama by travelers from Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
on their way to trade in Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
.
Sister cities
Ōhasama has been twinned with BerndorfBerndorf, Lower Austria
Berndorf is a town in the district of Baden in Lower Austria in Austria. Because of its historic development in the 19th century it is also referred to as the Krupp town.-Districts:The town consists of 4 districts:* Berndorf-Stadt* St...
, Lower Austria
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the northeasternmost state of the nine states in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria since 1986 is Sankt Pölten, the most recently designated capital town in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria had formerly been Vienna, even though Vienna is not officially part of Lower Austria...
, since 1965. The student exchange programme between Berndorf grammar school and Ōhasama high school will be continued despite the incorporation.
As part of the city of Hanamaki, Ohasama is also twinned with Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
. As of 2007, Ōhasama Junior High School has begun a sister school partnership with Jessieville
Jessieville, AR
Jessieville is an unincorporated community located in Garland County, Arkansas. It is next to the Hot Springs Village and Hot Springs itself. Highway 7 runs through the community, and Highway 298 is also inside of the town. The town has one school, which contains an elementary school, a middle...
Middle School in Arkansas, U.S.A. thanks to a friendship forged during a visit to Hanamaki by visitors from the Jessieville School.
External links
- Ōhasama Town Society of Commerce and Industry (in Japanese)