Noheji, Aomori

Noheji 野辺地
—  Town  —
Location of Noheji in Aomori
Noheji
Coordinates: 40°52′N 141°08′E / 40.867°N 141.133°E / 40.867; 141.133Coordinates: 40°52′N 141°08′E / 40.867°N 141.133°E / 40.867; 141.133
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori
District	Kamikita
Area
– Total	81.61 km2 (31.5 sq mi)
Population (September 2009)
– Total	14,271
– Density	175/km2 (453.2/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Symbols
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Rosa rugosa
- Bird	Common gull
Phone number	0175-64-2111
Address	Noheiji 123-1, Kitakami-gun, Aomori-ken 039-3131
Website	Noheji Town HP

Noheji Town Hall

Noheji (野辺地町, Noheji-machi^?) is a town located in the Kamikita District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 14,721 and a density of 175 persons per km². Its total area was 81.61 km².

Geography

Noheji occupies the southeastern coastline of Mutsu Bay at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula. The village has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Kamikita District
  • Yokohama
  • Tōhoku
  • Rokkasho
• Higashitsugaru District
  • Hiranai

History

The area around Noheji was inhabited by the Emishi people until the historical period, and the name “Noheji” is derived from “Nosobechi”, or “place where a pure river flows through a field” in the Ainu language. During the Edo period, the area was controlled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain and prospered due to its fishing industry and location on the road connecting Morioka Domain with the Hirosaki Domain. During the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration, the Battle of Noheji occurred between the Tokugawa loyalist forces of Morioka Domain and pro-imperial forces of Hirosaki Domain on November 11, 1868. During the cadastral reform of 1889, Noheiji Village was proclaimed. It was elevated to town status on August 28, 1898.

Economy

The economy of Noheji is heavily dependent on commercial fishing, especially for scallops, and on agriculture with the raising of Japanese mountain yams predominating. The town also serves as a commercial and transportation center for the surrounding rural areas.

Transportation

Railway

• Aoimori Railway Company
  • Aoimori Railway Line
    • Noheji Station
• East Japan Railway Company
  • Ōminato Line
    • Noheji Station, Kita-Noheji Station, Arito Station

Highway

• Route 4 (Japan)
• Route 279 (Japan)

Tourist attractions

• Makado Onsen, a hot spring and ski resort

Noted people from Noheji

• Tsuyoshi Ichinohe – skier
• Takaya Eguchi - modern dancer

External links

• (Japanese) Noheji official website