Yurihonjō


Yurihonjō is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan., the city has an estimated population of 76,077 in 30,639 households, and a population density of 63 persons per km². The total area of the city is.

Geography

Yurihonjō is located in southwest corner of Akita Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west, and by Yamagata Prefecture to the south. It is the largest municipality in Akita Prefecture in terms of area, covering approximately one-tenth the area of the prefecture, or about half the area of Kanagawa Prefecture. Part of the city is within the borders of the Chōkai Quasi-National Park.

Neighboring municipalities

Per Japanese census data, the population of Yurihonjō peaked in the 1950s and has been in decline since then.

Climate

Yurihonjō has a Humid continental climate with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Yurihonjō is 11.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1752 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -0.2 °C.

History

The area of present-day Yurihonjō was part of ancient Dewa Province, dominated by the Mogami clan during the Sengoku period. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, part of the area came under the control of Honjō Domain, Kameda Domain and Yashima Domain, with a very small portion under direct rule by the shogunate. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Yuri District, Akita Prefecture in 1878, and the town of Honjō was formed with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. Honjō was raised to city status on March 31, 1954.
The city of Yurihonjō was established on March 22, 2005, from the merger of the city of Honjō, and the towns of Chōkai, Higashiyuri, Iwaki, Nishime, Ōuchi, Yashima and Yuri. Just after the merger, the new city of Yurihonjō had 126 representatives in its new city assembly, more than the whole of Tokyo.

Government

After the merger, Yurihonjō had a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city assembly with 126 members. The city legislature currently has 26 members. The city contributes three members to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Akita District 3 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Yurihonjō is based on agriculture and commercial fishing.

Companies headquartered in Yurihonjo

Yurihonjō has 15 public elementary schools and 10 public middle schools operated by the city government and five public high schools operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. Akita Prefectural University also has a campus in the city.

Transportation

Railway

- Uetsu Main Line
Yuri Kōgen Railway – Chōkai Sanroku Line
is an inactive volcano that stands alone on the border between Akita Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. It is 2,236m high and is the second highest mountain in the Tōhoku area. It is popular with skiers, hikers and climbers.
There are two main trails for climbing Mount Chōkai from the Akita side. One trailhead is in Nikaho, south of Yurihonjō. The other, in Yurihonjō, starts at the Haraikawa Parking Area. A one-way hike from the Haraikawa commonly takes 3 hours and there are bungalows and camping sites on the lower slopes of this trail.
The mountain has its own unique Alpine plants and vegetation such as Chōkai Thistle and Chōkai Fusuma.

Local crafts, arts, and food