Chikuhoku (筑北村, Chikuhoku-mura) is a village located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2018[update], the village had an estimated population of 4,688 in 1873 households, and a population density of 47 persons per km2.[2] The total area of the village is 99.47 square kilometres (38.41 sq mi).[3]
Geography
Chikuhoku is located in the center of Nagano Prefecture in the Matsumoto Basin. Higashijo Dam and Onikuma Dam are located in Chikuhoku.
Climate
The village has a climate characterized by cool, humid summers and cold winters (Köppen climate classificationDfa). The average annual temperature in Chikuhoku is 9.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2515 mm with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around -3.8 °C.[4]
Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Chikuhoku has decreased by more than half over the past 70 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1940
8,886
—
1950
11,361
+27.9%
1960
9,757
−14.1%
1970
8,105
−16.9%
1980
7,556
−6.8%
1990
7,111
−5.9%
2000
6,049
−14.9%
2010
5,172
−14.5%
2020
4,149
−19.8%
History
The area of present-day Chikuhoku was part of ancient Shinano Province. Most of the area was under the control of Matsumoto Domain during the Edo period. The villages of Honjō, Sakakita, and Sakai were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The village of Chikuhoku was incorporated on October 11, 2005, by a merger of the three villages.[6]
Education
Chikuhoku has three public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the village government, and one middle school operated jointly between Chikuhoku and neighboring Omi village. The village does not have a high school.
