Wakakusa, Yamanashi

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**Wakakusa Town**
**若草町**
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Yamanashi Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Population (as of {{{PopDate}}})
Total	11,671
Symbols
Wakakusa Town City Hall
Address	〒400-0393 659 Terabe
Phone number	055-282-3100

Wakakusa （若草町）is an area located within greater Minami-Alps City in Yamanashi, Japan. As of 2003 it has a population of 11,671.

1 Geography
2 History
- 2.1 Devil's Head Tile
3 Education
4 Temples
5 Hot Springs
6 Festivals

[edit] Geography

Wakakusa

Wakakusa is located approximately 12 kilometers from Kofu. It covers an area of 10.29 square kilometers and lies on latitude 35 degrees North and longitude 138 degrees East. Wakakusa is a relatively flat area with many rice fields and orchards. The Kamanashi River (釜無川）forms its Eastern boundry.

[edit] History

Long ago there were many independent hamlet between the Kamanashi River and the Japan Alps. At the beginning of the Meiji Restoration three hamlets-Tokaichiba (十日市場), Kagami (鏡), and Terabe (寺部) merged to form a new village called Mitsue(三枝).

After World War II, Mistue merged with Toda （籐田）, Asabara and Kagaminakajo (鏡中條) to form the village of Wakakusa. Wakakusa was independant until 2003 when the city leaders decided to merge with the surrounding villages and form Minami-arupusu-shi.

Devil's Head Tile

[edit] Devil's Head Tile

Wakakusa has a long tradition of tilemaking. Long ago the Devil's Head adorned the cornices of many houses in the village. It said that face kept the evil spirits away.

[edit] Education

Wakakusa contains four schools:

Wakakusa Elementary School (若草小学校）

South Wakakusa Elementary School (若草南小学校）

Wakakusa Junior High School (若草中学校)

Brazilian International School

[edit] Temples

Hōzen-ji Temple- Founded in 806 A.D., this temple follows the Nichiren sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Anyoji Temple- This temple follows the Shingon sect of Buddhism. It was founded in 1234 A.D.

[edit] Hot Springs

Yu-Yu Furei Park is located in east-central Wakakusa. In addition to a large municipal park the area also contains a Hot Spring (おんせん）.

[edit] Festivals

Tokaichi festival is the most famous festival in Wakakusa. It occurs every year on 10 February. The name "Tokaichi" is taken from the Japanese word for the "tenth" day of the month-"tokka" . This festival has a history spanning five hundred years. Tens of thousands of people gather from all over Japan to celebrate the coming of spring.

Wakakusa Elementary School	Wakakusa Junior High School	South Wakakusa Elementary School	Tree Blossom
View of Mt. Fuji in Wakakusa	Wild Grass with Mt. Fuji in the background