Towada, Aomori


Towada is a city in Aomori Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 60,697, and a population density of 84 persons per km2 in 27,677 households. The total area of the city is.

Geography

Towada is in the foothills of the Hakkōda Mountains and encompasses the Aomori portion of Lake Towada. The Oirase River passes through the town.

Neighboring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture
Akita Prefecture
The city has a cold humid climate characterized by cool summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Towada is 9.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1233 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.3 °C. Part of the city is within the limits of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Towada peaked at around the year 2000, and has been in decline thereafter.

History

The area around present-day Towada was formerly a wasteland known as Sanbongihara, which became the location of a colonization and land reclamation project initiated by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain from 1855. The project was headed by Nitobe Tsutō, the grandfather of Inazō Nitobe. The project was continued by the Meiji government, and the area was designated a ranch area for breeding cavalry horses by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1885. The inclement climate of the area was considered ideal for breeding horses that would be suitable for use in the cold climate areas of Manchuria and Siberia. The village of Sanbongi was established with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On September 1, 1910, Sanbongi was designated a town. It was elevated to the status of a city on February 1, 1955. In October 1956, it changed its name to “Towada”.
On January 1, 2005, the town of Towadako was merged into Towada.

Government

Towada has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. Towada contributes two members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Towada is based largely on agriculture.

Education

Colleges and universities

Towada has four public high schools operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education
There are 17 public elementary schools and 9 public middle schools in Towada operated by the municipal government, and one middle school operated by the prefectural government.

Transportation

Railway

Towada currently has no passenger railway service. The Towada Kankō Electric Railway Line connecting Towada with Misawa had five stations within the city. It was discontinued in 2012 and replaced by a bus service.