Kuzumaki, Iwate

Kuzumaki (葛巻町, Kuzumaki-machi) is a town located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2020, the town had an estimated population of 5632, and a population density of 13 persons per km². The total area of the town is 434.96 square kilometres (167.94 sq mi). The town uses many alternative energy sources, producing a surplus of energy, including wind power and biomass.[1]

Kuzumaki

葛巻町
Town
Kuzumaki Town Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Kuzumaki in Iwate Prefecture
Kuzumaki
Location of Kuzumaki in Iwate Prefecture
Coordinates: 40°02′23.4″N 141°26′11.4″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureIwate
DistrictIwate
Area
 • Total434.99 km2 (167.95 sq mi)
Population
 (January 1, 2020)
 • Total5,632
 • Density13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols 
• TreeSilver birch
• FlowerHagi
• BirdCopper pheasant
Phone number0195-66-2111　
AddressKuzumaki dai-16 jiwari 1-1, Kuzumaki-machi, Iwate-gun, Iwate-ken 028-5494
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

Kuzumaki is located in a basin in north-central Iwate Prefecture with an average elevation of 400 meters, surrounded by the 1000 meter mountains of the Kitakami Mountains. Approximately 60% of the town area is mountains and forests.[2] The Mabechi River flows through the town.

Neighboring municipalities

Iwate Prefecture

Climate

Kuzumaki has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Kuzumaki is 7.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1434 mm with September as the wettest month and February as the driest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -5.1 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Kuzumaki has declined over the past 60 years, and is now only half of what it was in 1970, and less than it was a century ago.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 10,417—    
1930 11,209+7.6%
1940 11,776+5.1%
1950 14,142+20.1%
1960 15,964+12.9%
1970 14,135−11.5%
1980 11,972−15.3%
1990 10,364−13.4%
2000 8,725−15.8%
2010 7,307−16.3%

History

The area of present-day Kuzumaki was part of ancient Mutsu Province. It was under the control of the Nambu clan from the Muromachi period, and was part of Hachinohe Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. The area was noted for its horse ranches.

The villages of Kuzumaki and Ekari within Kita-Kunohe District and the village of Tabe within Iwate District were created on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of the modern municipality system. Kita-Kunohe District and Minami-Kunohe Districts merged to form Kunohe District on April 1, 1897. Kuzumaki was raised to town status on December 25, 1940. On July 1, 1948, Kuzumaki and Isashi were transferred to Iwate District. Kuzumaki annexed neighboring Ekari and Tabe on July 15, 1955.

Government

Kuzumaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 10 members. Kuzumaki, together with the city of Hachimantai and the town of Iwate, contributes two seats to the Iwate Prefectural legislature. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Iwate 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The local economy is based on agriculture, including dairy products and wine production.

Education

Kuzumaki has five public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Iwate Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway
  • Kuzumaki does not have any passenger railway services.

Highway

References
  1. Masters, Coco. "A Japanese Town That Kicked the Oil Habit." Time. December 22, 2008. Retrieved on December 25, 2008.
  2. Kuzumaki official home page, land usage (in Japanese)
  3. Kuzumaki climate data
  4. Kuzumaki population statistics

Media related to Kuzumaki, Iwate at Wikimedia Commons

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