Kihoku, Ehime

Infobox City Japan
Name = Kihoku
JapaneseName = 鬼北町
Map

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Region = Shikoku
Prefecture = Ehime
District = Kitauwa
Area_km2 = 241.87
Population = 12,651
PopDate = August, 2006
Density_km2 = 52.30
Coords = coord|33|15|N|132|41|E|region:JP_type:city
Flower = nihongo|Azalea|躑躅|Tsutsuji
Tree = nihongo|Hinoki cypress|桧|Hinoki
Bird =
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SymbolDescription =
Mayor = Jin'ichi Matsuura
CityHallPostalCode = 798-1395
CityHallAddress = 800-1 Ōaza Chikanaga, Kihoku-chō, Kitauwa-gun, Ehime-ken
CityHallPhone = (0895) 45-1111
CityHallLink = [http://www.town.kihoku.ehime.jp/ Kihoku homepage] |nihongo|Kihoku|鬼北町|Kihoku-chō is a town located in Kitauwa District, Ehime, Japan. The town was formed on January 1, 2005 from the merger of the town of Hiromi with the village of Hiyoshi.

Geography

Kihoku is located in the Onigajō mountain range. The town is composed of several villages merged into one city area. As such, it is spread out over a broad area of small valleys in the city proper. The largest town area, Hiromi, is located in a larger valley in the southwest section of the town. Other areas include Aiji in the north, Mishima centrally, and Hiyoshi in the east.

Nearby cities and towns

*Uwajima to the east
*Matsuno to the south
*Kōchi Prefecture to the west

Mountains

*Mt. Takatsuki 1,228 m
*Mt. Kakkōdake 1,010 m
*Mt. Izumigamori 755 m
*Mt. Tokigozen 946 m
*Mt. Gozaisho 908 m

Rivers

There are numerous rivers running through the area, the largest of which is the Hiromi River, which is a tributary of the Shimanto River, in Kōchi Prefecture.

Transportation

Route 320 connects Uwajima to Kihoku, and passes through the neighborhoods of Hiromi and Hiyoshi. Buses run from Uwajima to Hiyoshi several times a day. Kihoku is also connected to Uwajima by a single train line, which arrives once almost every hour during the day.

Industry

Agriculture

Kihoku's economy is primarily agricultural. The town's main product is rice, with many paddies throughout the area. The town contains 617 hectares of paddy land yielding around 2,476 tons of rice annually. ;Additional town products:Shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, yuzu, pheasants, chickens, bancha tea, wasabi, melons, strawberries, Japanese yams, cucumbers, turmeric, milk, miso, trout, fish products, crabs, wood products and pottery

Points of Interest

*Jōmon Ruins — The remains of a 3,000 year-old Jōmon Period community are located near the eastern section of the Hiromi River. The ruins are composed of a small formation of stones, which are protected by an enclosure and have been designated as a historical site.
*Narukawa Valley — A valley in the southwestern part of the town popular for its beautiful nature. The area offers a multitude of activities, including camping, fishing and hiking. In summer there is a sōmen noodle shop. There is also a scenic lodge that serves pheasant dishes, and an onsen.
*Morinosankakuboshi — A farmer's market in Hiromi where locally grown rice and vegetables can be purchased. In the shops adjacent to the market a wide variety of local products such as miso paste and boar curry are also sold.

External links

* [http://www.town.kihoku.ehime.jp/ Kihoku official website] in Japanese