| Kurihara aka K-town 栗原市 |
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| — City — | |
| Location of Kurihara aka K-town in Miyagi | |
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Kurihara aka K-town
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Miyagi |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Isamu Satō |
| Area | |
| • Total | 804.93 km2 (310.8 sq mi) |
| Population (September 1, 2008) | |
| • Total | 77,012 |
| • Density | 95.7/km2 (247.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| City symbols | |
| - Tree | Kousa Dogwood |
| - Flower | Nikkōkisuge (Hemerocallis dumortieri var. esculenta) |
| Phone number | 0228-22-1122 |
| Address | 1-7-1 Tsukidate Yakushi, Kurihara-shi, Miyagi-ken 987-2293 |
| Website | City of Kurihara |
Kurihara (栗原市 Kurihara-shi) is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 77,012 and a population density of 95.7 persons per km². The total area is 804.93 km². Previously a district consisting of nine towns and one village, on April 1, 2005, the towns and village merged to form a new city. The new city hall is located at Tsukidate. Though technically referred to as a "city", Kurihara in fact functions more like a county composed of ten separate towns.
During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, Kurihara was the only city to report the maximum value of 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.
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Kurihara covers the entire northwestern corner of Miyagi Prefecture. It is mostly farmland, mostly rice fields, and small mountain ranges throughout, the largest of which cluster around Kurikoma-san, the tallest mountain in Kurihara located at the furthest northwestern point of Miyagi Prefecture.
Like most of Japan, the summers in Kurihara are hot and humid with temperatures usually around 30 Degrees Celsius. Summer is also typhoon season, however, since Kurihara is so far north and inland the area is rarely affected. The typhoons that do end up hitting the area are often mild without much consequence. Fall and spring are mild, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s (Celsius). In fall the days usually begin foggy and cold but clear up by midday. Spring comes late to the region since it is so far North and is mostly sunny punctuated with random light showers. Winter is the longest season in this Northern region. The temperature fluctuates around 0 Degrees Celsius, falling to an average low of -10 Degrees Celsius, and snow levels vary from town to town. Since Kurikoma and Hanayama towns are more mountainous their snowfall is significantly greater compared to Shiwahime and Tsukidate which are in flatter areas.
Kurihara has an abundance of natural beauty in all of its seasons. Spring is the time for cherry blossoms, arguably the most beautiful season in Japan. In summer the lotus petals on Lake Izunuma bloom. In fall Mt. Kurikoma is covered in fall colors and in winter migrating swans and geese come in flocks to spend the season on Kurihara's lakes.
Mt. Kurikoma:
Sekai Yachi Wetlands Flower Park:
Lake Izunuma and Lake Uchinuma:
There are also a number of beautiful waterfalls, parks filled with cherry blossoms in spring, and flower gardens. These include: Abazu Gorge, Shiraito Falls, Gorindoyama Park, Hasama River Park, and Sanno Historic Park Iris Garden.
Kurihara is known for the abundant, high-quality rice it produces. It is also a renowned place for viewing the leaves change in Fall as Mt. Kurikoma gets some of the best fall colors. Kurihara also has an abundance of hot springs which tourists flock to in winter in order to warm up. These include: Yu no Kura Hot Spring, Yubama Hot Spring, Hanayama Hot Spring, and Nuruyu Hot Spring.
"The Pleasures of Kurihara" information pamphlet
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