Nihonmatsu (二本松市, Nihonmatsu-shi) is a city in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020[update], the city has an estimated population of 54,013 in 20,179 households,[1] and a population density of 160 persons per km2. The total area of the city was 344.42 square kilometres (132.98 sq mi). The Adachi neighborhood of Nihonmatsu was the birthplace of artist Chieko Takamura, subject of the book of poems Chieko's Sky (智恵子抄, Chiekoshō, literally "Chieko Selections"), written by her husband Kōtarō Takamura.[2]
Geography
Nihonmatsu is located in the Nakadōri section of Fukushima prefecture, between the cities of Fukushima and Kōriyama. It is approximately 250 km from central Tokyo. Nihonmatsu's western border consists of the Adatara mountain range. The Abukuma River runs through the eastern part (forming the border between the former towns of Adachi and Tōwa), flowing from south to north.
Nihonmatsu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nihonmatsu is 12.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1215 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.3 °C.[3]
Climate data for Nihonmatsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
The town of Nihonmatsu was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Nihonmatsu annexed the neighboring villages of Shiozawa, Dakeshita, Sugita, Ishii and Ohdaira on January 1, 1955 and was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958. The city annexed the towns of Adachi, Iwashiro and Tōwa (all from Adach District) on December 1, 2005.[7]
Government
Nihonmatsu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 26 members. Nihonmatsu contributes two members to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Fukushima 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Nihonmatsu is a regional commercial center with a mixed economy. It is especially noted for furniture manufacturing and sake brewing.
Education
Nihonmatsu has 16 public elementary schools and seven public junior high school operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Fukushima Board of Education.
Fukushima Prefectural Adachi High School
Fukushima Prefectural Adachi Higashi High School
Fukushima Prefectural Nihonmatsu Industrial High School
Ebisu Circuit, famous drift racing track, adjacent to Tohoku Safari Park
Nihonmatsu Castle, also known as Kasumiga Castle, is a historical castle along with a park. Nihonmatsu Castle is one of Japan's Top 100 Castles. Nihonmatsu Castle has also been called one of the top 100 sites in Japan for cherry blossom viewing by Wikivoyage.[8]
The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is held every October 4–6. The festival has been held annually since 1643 and is one of the three largest lantern festivals in Japan.
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