Kitaakita

Coordinates: 40°13′33.7″N 140°22′14.9″E / 40.226028°N 140.370806°E / 40.226028; 140.370806
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kitaakita
北秋田市
Panorama view of downtown Kitaakita
Panorama view of downtown Kitaakita
Flag of Kitaakita
Official seal of Kitaakita
Map
Location of Kitaakita in Akita Prefecture
Location of Kitaakita
Kitaakita is located in Japan
Kitaakita
Kitaakita
 
Coordinates: 40°13′33.7″N 140°22′14.9″E / 40.226028°N 140.370806°E / 40.226028; 140.370806
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAkita
Government
 • -MayorEiko Tsuya <津谷永光> (from April 2009)
Area
 • Total1,152.76 km2 (445.08 sq mi)
Population
 (February 28, 2023)
 • Total29,201
 • Density25/km2 (66/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0186-62-1111
AddressHanazono-chō 19-1, Kitaakita-shi, Akita-ken 018-3392
ClimateCfa/Dfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdBlack woodpecker
FlowerHydrangea
TreeBeech
Kitaakita City Hall
Snow Monster of Mount Moriyoshi
Isedotai Ruins
Lake Shimiko

Kitaakita (北秋田市, Kitaakita-shi) is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2023, the city had an estimated population of 29,201,[1] and a population density of 120 persons per km2. and a population density of 25 persons per km². The total area of the city is 1,152.76 square kilometres (445.08 sq mi).

Geography[edit]

Kitaakita is located in the mountains of north-central Akita Prefecture, about 80 kilometers northeast of the prefectural capital of Akita city. It accounts for about 10% of the total area of Akita Prefecture. The city is bordered by the Ōu Mountains on the east. The main urban area is centered around the Takanosu Basin in the middle reaches of the Yoneshiro River, and river basins such as the Ani River and the Koani River, which are tributaries of the Yoneshiro River. The Yoneshiro River originates from the Ōu Mountains, which form the border of the city to the east and south. Much of the city is forest and parts of the city are within the borders of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Due to its inland location, the city is noted for its heavy snowfall in winter.

Neighboring municipalities[edit]

Akita Prefecture

Climate[edit]

Kitaakita has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Kitaakita is 10.5 °C (50.9 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,704.7 mm (67.11 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.7 °C (74.7 °F), and lowest in January, at around −1.5 °C (29.3 °F).[2]

Climate data for Takanosu, Kitaakita (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)
17.6
(63.7)
20.4
(68.7)
30.0
(86.0)
32.5
(90.5)
34.0
(93.2)
37.4
(99.3)
38.9
(102.0)
37.9
(100.2)
28.6
(83.5)
23.0
(73.4)
16.0
(60.8)
38.9
(102.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.7
(35.1)
2.9
(37.2)
7.1
(44.8)
14.3
(57.7)
20.2
(68.4)
24.4
(75.9)
27.5
(81.5)
29.0
(84.2)
24.9
(76.8)
18.2
(64.8)
10.9
(51.6)
4.2
(39.6)
15.4
(59.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1.5
(29.3)
−0.9
(30.4)
2.3
(36.1)
8.2
(46.8)
14.2
(57.6)
18.8
(65.8)
22.6
(72.7)
23.7
(74.7)
19.1
(66.4)
12.2
(54.0)
6.0
(42.8)
0.8
(33.4)
10.5
(50.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4.7
(23.5)
−4.7
(23.5)
−2.1
(28.2)
2.5
(36.5)
8.7
(47.7)
14.0
(57.2)
18.7
(65.7)
19.4
(66.9)
14.6
(58.3)
7.4
(45.3)
1.8
(35.2)
−2.2
(28.0)
6.1
(43.0)
Record low °C (°F) −17.6
(0.3)
−17.8
(0.0)
−15.3
(4.5)
−9.2
(15.4)
−1.9
(28.6)
4.9
(40.8)
6.7
(44.1)
9.8
(49.6)
3.0
(37.4)
−1.7
(28.9)
−8.8
(16.2)
−14.5
(5.9)
−17.8
(0.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 116.7
(4.59)
92.4
(3.64)
97.0
(3.82)
103.4
(4.07)
116.3
(4.58)
119.8
(4.72)
214.7
(8.45)
198.1
(7.80)
164.7
(6.48)
162.7
(6.41)
167.8
(6.61)
151.4
(5.96)
1,704.7
(67.11)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 183
(72)
145
(57)
68
(27)
1
(0.4)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
8
(3.1)
113
(44)
514
(202)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 21.7 17.7 15.7 12.5 12.0 10.3 13.0 11.4 12.3 14.9 17.6 21.6 180.7
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 19.9 17.0 9.3 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.2 12.6 60.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 49.1 74.0 123.6 171.3 184.1 176.9 149.4 180.0 149.9 132.3 88.9 47.4 1,528.2
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][2]
Climate data for Aniai, Kitaakita (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.1
(52.0)
16.1
(61.0)
19.0
(66.2)
28.8
(83.8)
32.0
(89.6)
33.3
(91.9)
36.3
(97.3)
37.1
(98.8)
34.3
(93.7)
27.4
(81.3)
24.3
(75.7)
18.2
(64.8)
37.1
(98.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8)
2.1
(35.8)
6.0
(42.8)
13.5
(56.3)
20.2
(68.4)
24.2
(75.6)
27.4
(81.3)
28.7
(83.7)
24.3
(75.7)
17.6
(63.7)
10.6
(51.1)
3.6
(38.5)
14.9
(58.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4)
−1.6
(29.1)
1.4
(34.5)
7.4
(45.3)
13.9
(57.0)
18.3
(64.9)
22.1
(71.8)
23.1
(73.6)
18.6
(65.5)
11.8
(53.2)
5.6
(42.1)
0.3
(32.5)
9.9
(49.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.0
(23.0)
−5.0
(23.0)
−2.6
(27.3)
1.8
(35.2)
8.0
(46.4)
13.1
(55.6)
17.9
(64.2)
18.7
(65.7)
14.2
(57.6)
7.3
(45.1)
1.7
(35.1)
−2.5
(27.5)
5.6
(42.1)
Record low °C (°F) −16.4
(2.5)
−17.2
(1.0)
−15.8
(3.6)
−8.5
(16.7)
−1.3
(29.7)
5.2
(41.4)
9.5
(49.1)
9.8
(49.6)
3.2
(37.8)
−0.7
(30.7)
−7.8
(18.0)
−12.6
(9.3)
−17.2
(1.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 164.3
(6.47)
125.0
(4.92)
132.0
(5.20)
131.8
(5.19)
133.9
(5.27)
136.6
(5.38)
233.8
(9.20)
240.0
(9.45)
193.9
(7.63)
191.2
(7.53)
218.0
(8.58)
199.3
(7.85)
2,099.7
(82.67)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 259
(102)
198
(78)
127
(50)
13
(5.1)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
21
(8.3)
170
(67)
778
(306)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 24.2 20.0 18.1 13.8 12.4 10.9 13.5 12.7 13.0 15.5 18.9 23.4 196.4
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 22.4 18.6 15.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.3 14.2 74.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 31.6 52.8 97.8 156.6 188.3 180.9 150.4 171.5 146.7 124.7 75.3 40.0 1,422.9
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[4][5]
Climate data for Odate–Noshiro Airport, Kitaakita (2003−2020 normals, extremes 2003−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.3
(48.7)
17.1
(62.8)
19.2
(66.6)
28.6
(83.5)
31.3
(88.3)
33.0
(91.4)
35.6
(96.1)
37.3
(99.1)
35.6
(96.1)
26.7
(80.1)
22.7
(72.9)
15.4
(59.7)
37.3
(99.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.9
(33.6)
2.2
(36.0)
6.4
(43.5)
13.4
(56.1)
19.8
(67.6)
24.0
(75.2)
26.8
(80.2)
28.6
(83.5)
24.3
(75.7)
17.6
(63.7)
10.6
(51.1)
3.6
(38.5)
14.9
(58.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4)
−1.5
(29.3)
1.8
(35.2)
7.4
(45.3)
13.7
(56.7)
18.3
(64.9)
22.0
(71.6)
23.3
(73.9)
18.8
(65.8)
11.7
(53.1)
5.7
(42.3)
0.3
(32.5)
10.0
(49.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.3
(22.5)
−5.5
(22.1)
−2.6
(27.3)
1.5
(34.7)
7.9
(46.2)
13.1
(55.6)
18.0
(64.4)
19.1
(66.4)
14.1
(57.4)
6.5
(43.7)
1.3
(34.3)
−2.9
(26.8)
5.4
(41.8)
Record low °C (°F) −15.8
(3.6)
−15.8
(3.6)
−12.6
(9.3)
−5.2
(22.6)
−1.5
(29.3)
4.3
(39.7)
9.9
(49.8)
11.3
(52.3)
4.6
(40.3)
−2.5
(27.5)
−7.5
(18.5)
−11.5
(11.3)
−15.8
(3.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 81.1
(3.19)
72.7
(2.86)
92.7
(3.65)
109.5
(4.31)
100.7
(3.96)
112.8
(4.44)
211.9
(8.34)
211.5
(8.33)
165.6
(6.52)
160.6
(6.32)
169.0
(6.65)
130.2
(5.13)
1,603.1
(63.11)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17.9 13.8 13.9 12.1 11.4 9.9 12.3 11.0 11.6 13.7 17.4 20.5 165.5
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[6][7]

Demographics[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[8] the population of Kitaakita has been decreasing rapidly over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1950 64,607—    
1960 66,150+0.24%
1970 55,601−1.72%
1980 51,210−0.82%
1990 46,660−0.93%
2000 42,050−1.03%
2010 36,397−1.43%
2020 30,198−1.85%

History[edit]

The area of present-day Kitaakita was part of ancient Dewa Province. During the Edo period, the area came under the control of the Satake clan, who ruled the northern third of the province from Kubota Domain. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitaakita District, Akita Prefecture in 1878 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

The city of Kitaakita was established on March 22, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Aikawa, Ani, Moriyoshi and Takanosu (all from Kitaakita District).

Government[edit]

Kitaakita has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members. The city contributes two members to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Akita District 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy[edit]

The economy of Kitaakita is based on agriculture, forestry, manufacturing of clothing and electronic components, and seasonal tourism.

Education[edit]

  • Akita University – Kitaakita branch campus
  • Kitaakita has seven public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation[edit]

Airport[edit]

Railway[edit]

Highway[edit]

Local attractions[edit]

Sister city relations[edit]

Noted people from Kitaakita[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Kitaakita city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  3. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  4. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  5. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  6. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  7. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Kitaakita population statistics
  9. ^ "Isedotai Site". Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku. Jomon Japan. 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.

External links[edit]