Kuroishi, Aomori

Kuroishi (黒石市, Kuroishi-shi) is a city located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2020, the city had an estimated population of 32,900 in 13818 households [1] and a population density of 150 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 217.05 square kilometers (83.80 sq mi).

Kuroishi

黒石市
City
Nakamachi
Flag
Seal
Location of Kuroishi in Aomori Prefecture
Kuroishi
 
Coordinates: 40°38′33.4″N 140°36′40.7″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori
Area
 • Total217.05 km2 (83.80 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2020)
 • Total32,900
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreePainted maple (Acer mono)
• FlowerApple (Malus domestica)
• BirdJapanese wagtail (Motacilla grandis)
Phone number0173-42-2111
Address11-1 Ichinomachi, Kuroishi-shi, Aomori-ken 036-0396
WebsiteOfficial website
Kuroishi City Hall
Aoni Onsen in the mountains of Kuroishi

Geography

Kuroishi is located in west-central Aomori Prefecture, bordered by the Hakkōda Mountains to be east. Part of the city is within the borders of the Kuroishi Onsenkyō Prefectural Natural Park.

Neighboring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

Climate

The city has a cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kuroishi is 9.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1343 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.9 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Kuroishi has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 41,033—    
1970 37,690−8.1%
1980 40,755+8.1%
1990 39,213−3.8%
2000 39,059−0.4%
2010 36,132−7.5%

History

The area of Kuroishi was part of the holdings of the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain in the Edo period, and became the semi-independent Kuroishi Domain in 1809. The Nakamachi neighborhood had rows of shops connected by a covered arcade. This arcade dates from 1656 and is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. After the Meiji Restoration, the town of Kuroishi was established in within Minamitsugaru District in Aomori Prefecture with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The city was founded on 1 July 1954, from the merger of the town of Kuroishi absorbing the villages of Nakago, Rokugo, Yamagata and Aseishi. On 1 October 1956, Kuroishi absorbed a portion of the neighboring town of Onoe.

Government

Kuroishi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. Kuroishi contributes one member to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Kuroishi is heavily dependent on agriculture. The city serves as a minor regional commercial center. Agricultural produce includes rice and apples.

Education

Kuroishi has nine public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railway

Kōnan Railway Company - Kōnan Line

Highway

Sister city relations

Local attractions

Noted people from Kuroishi

References
  1. Kuroishi City Official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. Kuroishi climate data
  3. Kuroishi population statistics
  4. "Yeongcheon official home page". Sister cities. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  5. "Kanehiranarien (Sawanarien)". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  6. "黒石市中町". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
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