Agematsu (上松町, Agematsu-machi) is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2019[update], the town had an estimated population of 4,451 in 2091 households,[1] and a population density of 26 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 168.42 square kilometres (65.03 sq mi).
Geography
Agematsu is located in a mountainous area of south-western Nagano Prefecture, bordered by the Kiso Mountains to the north. The Kiso River flows through the town.
The town has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Agematsu is 10.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1676 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.2 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Agematsu has been declining steady over the past 60 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1940
7,943
—
1950
9,031
+13.7%
1960
9,643
+6.8%
1970
8,424
−12.6%
1980
7,654
−9.1%
1990
6,997
−8.6%
2000
6,376
−8.9%
2010
5,246
−17.7%
2020
4,131
−21.3%
History
The area of present-day Agematsu was part of ancient Shinano Province. Agematsu-juku developed as a post station on the Nakasendō highway connected Edo with Kyoto in the Edo period. The modern village of Komagane was established on April 1, 1889 by the establishment of the municipalities system. The village was divided into the towns of Komagane and Agematsu on September 3, 1922.
Education
The town has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school. The Institute for Space–Earth Environmental Research of Nagoya University is located in Agematsu.