Takizawa, Iwate
| Takizawa 滝沢市 | ||
|---|---|---|
| City | ||
| ||
 | ||
  Takizawa | ||
| Coordinates: 39°44′5″N 141°4′37″E / 39.73472°N 141.07694°ECoordinates: 39°44′5″N 141°4′37″E / 39.73472°N 141.07694°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Tōhoku | |
| Prefecture | Iwate Prefecture | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 182.32 km2 (70.39 sq mi) | |
| Population (2003) | ||
| • Total | 52,981 | |
| • Density | 290/km2 (750/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| Website | City of Takizawa | |
Takizawa (滝沢市 Takizawa-shi) is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 52,981 and a density of 290.59 persons per km². The total area is 182.32 km².
On January 1, 2014, Takizawa was promoted from being Takizawa Village (滝沢村 Takizawa-mura), part of Iwate District, into the independent Takizawa City (滝沢市 Takizawa-shi).
Festivals
Takizawa is famous for its Chagu-Chagu Horse Festival (チャグチャグ馬コ Chagu-Chagu Umakko) held every June. The festival is designated by the Japanese government to be an important cultural asset. The festival celebrates the horses which once played an important role in the areas agriculture. The festival gets its name from the bells the horses wear during the procession. The sound the bells make, in Japanese, is "chagu-chagu".
The festival begins at Chagu-Chagu Shrine which is a large shrine in Takizawa dedicated to horses. After a brief ceremony a long line of colorfully dressed horses ridden mostly by children in traditional dress leave the shrine and go on a 15 km procession that takes them to Hachimangu Shrine in Morioka. In total the trip takes nearly five hours to complete.
Every year Koiwai Farm puts on the Koiwai Snow Festival (小岩井雪祭 Koiwai Yuki Matsuri). This festival is noteworthy for its giant snow sculptures. Many of the sculptures can reach 30 ft in height or more while most of them can be touched and even climbed on. During the festival there are several traditional musical and dance performances held on a giant stage made from packed snow. The festival ends with an impressive fireworks display which is choreographed to music.
A popular event at the festival is eating yakiniku or gageskhan (thinly sliced beef or lamb grilled over a fire or on a hot plate) in an igloo.
Agriculture and Industry
Takizawa is known for its summer watermelon and fall apples. Both industries are well represented within the village. People from all over Japan order Takizawa watermelon and apples when they are in season.
Dairy production is a large industry in Takizawa as well. Koiwai Farm is currently the largest privately owned dairy production center in Japan. The farm produces a full range of dairy products from milk, an assortment of cheeses, and various butters. Koiwai products can be bought throughout the nation.
External links
Media related to Takizawa, Iwate at Wikimedia Commons
- Takizawa official website (Japanese)
- Information about the Chagu-Chagu Horse Festival from the Japan National Tourist Organization
- Koiwai's official website (Japanese)
- Koiwai's English website