Ohasama, Iwate

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Ōhasama (大迫町; -cho) is a district of Hanamaki City (花巻市）, Iwate Prefecture（岩手県）, Japan.

As of November, 2005, the town had an estimated population of 6,766 people. The total area is 246.84 km² (apx. 96 mi².).

On January 1, 2006, Ohasama town merged to become part of the new city of Hanamaki.

Ohasama is twinned with Berndorf, Lower Austria.

[edit] Geography

Ohasama is located roughly in the center of Iwate Prefecture; about 25 km south of the prefectural capital of Morioka. During the merger on January 1, 2006, Ohasama and the surrounding towns of Ishidoria and Towa joined with the city of Hanamaki; which lies to the south.

Ohasama is itself comprised of four major areas: Ohasama (大迫）proper, which lies in the center; Uchikawame (内川目), a valley to the north; Sotokawame (外川目), to the east; and to the west is the flatter farmland of Kamegamori (亀々森).

In the northeast section of Ohasama is Mt. Hayachine (早池峰山）which, at an altitude of 1917 m. (6289 ft.), is the second highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture after Mt. Iwate in Morioka.

Ohasama lies in the mountainous region of the Kitakami River area. This results in a sharp contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures - most noticeably in the summer. It also receives little snow or rainfall compared to surrounding areas.

[edit] Local Culture

The climate of Ohasama is well suited to the growing of grapes. The town is home to the regionally well-known Edel Wine. In September, the Ohasama Wine House hosts the annual Wine Festival.

The shrine at Mount Hayachine is famous for a local variety of Kagura （神楽）. Kagura dancers often appear at area festivals or functions. On a hill above the town of Ohasama proper stands a statue resembling the wolf-like costumes donned by Hayachine Kagura dancers.

Mt. Hayachine is also home to a particular species of edelweiss, called Hayachine Usuyukisou, which grows exclusively on the mountain. It was because of this flower that mountain climbers from Ohasama forged a friendship with those from Berndorf, Austria, resulting in the two becoming sister cities in 1965.

Around the time of Japan's Girls' Festival, Ohasama puts on displays of its collection of dolls: many of which are several hundred years old. Local history suggests that the dolls may have been given to residents of Ohasama by travelers from Kyoto on their way to trade in Hokkaido.