Kumano (熊野市, Kumano-shi) is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2021[update], the city had an estimated population of 16,232 in 8,746 households and a population density of 43 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 373.35 square kilometres (144.15 sq mi). Kumano is Yoshino-Kumano National Park's finest international beach resort.
Kumano has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kumano is 16.8 °C (62.2 °F). The average annual rainfall is 3,111.2 mm (122.49 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.0 °C (80.6 °F), and lowest in January, at around 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).[2]
Climate data for Kumano-Shingu (2002−2020 normals, extremes 2002−present)
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Kumano has decreased steadily over the past 60 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1960
39,150
—
1970
32,909
−15.9%
1980
28,720
−12.7%
1990
25,783
−10.2%
2000
22,640
−12.2%
2010
19,675
−13.1%
History
The area of the modern city of Kumano was within ancient Kii Province and was part of the holdings of the Kii Tokugawa clan, and administered as part of the Kii-Shingū Domain in the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Kinomoto was established within Minamimuro District with the early Meiji period creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The city of Kumano was established on November 3, 1954 by the merger of Kinomoto with the surrounding villages of Isato, Kamikawa, Arii, Atashika, Arasaki and Tomari (all from Minamimuro District).
On November 15, 2005, the town of Kiwa (also from Minamimuro District) was also merged into Kumano.
Government
Kumano has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members. Kumano, collectively with the towns of Mihama of Kihō, contributes two members to the Mie Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Mie 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Kumano has nine public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Mie Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
^ ab"International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.