The town of Ōhasama created on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the municipalities system. On January 1, 1955, it annexed the neighboring villages of Kamegamori, Uchikawame and Sotokawame. On January 1, 2006, Ōhasama, along with the town of Ishidoriya, and the town of Tōwa, was merged into the expanded city ofHanamaki, and no longer exists as an independent municipality. As of January 1, 2006, the town had an estimated population of 6,568 and a population density of 26.6 persons per km2. The total area was 246.84 km2.
Geography
Ōhasama is located roughly in the center of Iwate Prefecture; about 25 km south of the prefectural capital of Morioka. Ōhasama is itself composed of four major areas: Ōhasama, a valley to the north; Sotokawame, to the east; and to the west is the flatter farmland of Kamegamori. In the northeast section of Ōhasama is Mt. Hayachine, 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.
Local Culture
The climate 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.
