Nishiaizu, Fukushima
| Nishiaizu 西会津町 | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 | |
  Nishiaizu | |
| Coordinates: 37°35′20″N 139°38′51″E / 37.58889°N 139.64750°ECoordinates: 37°35′20″N 139°38′51″E / 37.58889°N 139.64750°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Fukushima Prefecture |
| District | Yama |
| Area | |
| • Total | 298.13 km2 (115.11 sq mi) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 7,655 |
| • Density | 26/km2 (67/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| Website | Town of Nishiaizu |
Nishiaizu (西会津町 Nishiaizu-machi) is a town located in Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. It is known as the "front door" to the Iide Mountains.
The town was founded in 1954 through a merger of smaller villages. In 2006, Nishiaizu residents decided to decline a merger with the city of Kitakata.
As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of 7,655. Approximately 66% of the population is over the age of 65.[1] The total area is 298.13 km². 86 percent of the total area is composed of mountains and forests.[2]
Symbols
The town flower is the otomeyuri, a pink mountain lily. The town tree is the paulownia.[3]
School System
Until Spring of 2012, the town of Nishiaizu maintained one middle school and five elementary schools.
- Nishiaizu Middle School
- Nozawa Elementary School
- Onomoto Elementary School
- Muraoka Elementary School
- Shingo Elementary School
- Okugawa Elementary School
As of Spring 2012, all five elementary schools will have been merged into a single school, Nishiaizu Elementary School, in the school building of the former Nozawa Elementary School.
The Fukushima Prefectural government maintains Nishiaizu High School.[4]
Transportation
Nishiaizu can be accessed by car via the Ban-etsu Expressway or National Route 49. There is an expressway exit and rest area. Also, there are four train stops along the West Ban'etsu Line of East Japan Railway Company within the town limits. There are buses for travel within the town and highway buses for travel to and from the surrounding areas, such as cities of Aizuwakamatsu and Niigata.
Culture
There is one designated Important Cultural Property in Nishiaizu.
- Enmanji Kannon-dō, the temple building[5]
In addition, there are several Fukushima Prefectural Important Cultural Properties.
- At Torioi-Kannon Nyohōji the gate and four wooden statues are Fukushima Prefectural Important Cultural Properties. The temple houses one of the Aizu region's three important statues of Kannon.[6]
References
- ↑ Fukushima Prefectural Demographics, accessed February 13, 2009 [Japanese].
- ↑ Nishiaizu official website, accessed February 5, 2009 [Japanese].
- ↑ , Nishiaizu official website.
- ↑ , Nishiaizu official website.
- ↑ Japan National Cultural Properties database, accessed February 5, 2009. [Japanese]
- ↑ Torioi-Kannon Nyohōji official website, accessed February 13, 2009. [Japanese]
External links
Media related to Nishiaizu, Fukushima at Wikimedia Commons
- Nishiaizu official website (Japanese)
- Enmanji Kannon-dō (Japanese)
- Nishiaizu International Arts Village (Japanese)