Hirakawa, Aomori

Hirakawa (平川市, Hirakawa-shi) is a city located in south-central Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 34,040 and a density of 98.4 persons per km². Its total area was 345.81 km².

Geography

Hirakawa is located in the mountains and hills to be northeast of Lake Towada. The city has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool summers and cold winters with very heavy snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

• Hirosaki
• Kuroishi
• Towada
• Minamitsugaru District
  • Inakadate
  • Owani

Akita Prefecture

• Ōdate
• Kosaka

History

The area around Hirakawa was part of the Hirosaki Domain of the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it became part of Minamitsugaru District. The present-day city was founded on January 1, 2006, as a result of the merger between the towns of Hiraka and Onoe and the village of Ikarigaseki.

Culture

• Saruka Jinja
• Seito shoin teien
• Seibi-en

Transportation

Railway

• East Japan Railway Company
  • Ōu Main Line
    • Tsugaru-Yunosawa, Ikarigaseki
• Kōnan Railway Company
  • Kōnan Railway Kōnan Line
    • Tachita, Hiraka, Hakunōkōkōmae, Tsugaru-Onoe, Onoekōkōmae

Highway

• Route 7 (Japan)
• Route 102 (Japan)
• Route 182 (Japan)
• Route 454 (Japan)

External links

• Template:Jp icon Hirakawa official website