Ōwani, Aomori

Ōwani 大鰐町
—  Town  —
Location of Ōwani in Aomori
Ōwani
Coordinates: 40°31′N 140°34′E / 40.517°N 140.567°E / 40.517; 140.567Coordinates: 40°31′N 140°34′E / 40.517°N 140.567°E / 40.517; 140.567
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori
District	Minamitsugaru
Area
– Total	163.41 km2 (63.1 sq mi)
Population (September 2009)
– Total	11,131
– Density	68.1/km2 (176.4/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Symbols
- Tree	Katsura
- Flower	Rhododendron
- Bird	Japanese Bush-warbler
Phone number	0172-48-2111
Address	Hagurodate 5-3, Ōwani-machi, Minamitsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken 038-0292
Website	Ōwani Town HP

Ōwani (大鰐町, Ōwani-machi^?) is a town located in the Minamitsugaru District of east-central Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 11,131 and a density of 68.1 persons per km². Its total area was 163.41 km².

Geography

Ōwani occupies the hilly southern border between central Aomori prefecture and northern Akita prefecture. The town has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

• Hirosaki
• Hirakawa

Akita Prefecture

• Ōdate

History

During the Edo period, the area around Ōwani was controlled by the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain. After the Meiji Restoration, it became part of Minamitsugaru District. On April 1, 1923, Ōwani was proclaimed as a town. On July 1, 1954, it annexed neighboring Kuradate Town, but lost a portion of its territory to Hirosaki City on September 30, 1964.

Economy

The economy of Ōwani is heavily dependent on agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Tourism from ski resorts and onsen hot springs also contribute to the local economy. Mount Ajara was a venue for the 2003 Asian Winter Games).

Transportation

Train

• East Japan Railway Company
  • Ōu Main Line
    • Nagamine Station, Ōwani-Onsen Station
• Kōnan Railway Company
  • Kōnan Railway Ōwani Line
    • Ōwani - Shukugawara - Sabaishi

Highway

• Tōhoku Expressway
• Route 7 (Japan)

Noted people from Ōwani

• Wakanohana Kanji II – sumo wrestler

External links

• (Japanese) Ōwani official website

40°31′06″N 140°34′05″E / 40.518253°N 140.567944°E / 40.518253; 140.567944Coordinates: 40°31′06″N 140°34′05″E / 40.518253°N 140.567944°E / 40.518253; 140.567944