Ōwani (大鰐町, Ōwani-machi) is a town located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2023[update], the town had an estimated population of 8,669 people in 4108 households[1] and a population density of 53 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 163.41 square kilometres (63.09 sq mi). Skiing is very popular in Ōwani Town, and seven Olympic athletes have grown up there.
Geography
Ōwani, located in Minamitsugaru District, occupies the hilly southern border between south-central Aomori Prefecture and northern Akita Prefecture, to the southeast of the city of Hirosaki.
The town has a cold humid continental climate (KöppenDfb) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ōwani is 9.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1397 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around -3.0 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ōwani has decreased steadily over the past 60 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1960
18,777
—
1970
16,724
−1.15%
1980
16,312
−0.25%
1990
14,751
−1.00%
2000
12,881
−1.35%
2010
10,978
−1.59%
2020
8,665
−2.34%
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History
During the Edo period, the area around Ōwani was controlled by the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain. After the Meiji Restoration, it became a village within Minamitsugaru District of Aomori Prefecture with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On April 1, 1923, Ōwani was proclaimed a town. On July 1, 1954, it annexed neighboring Kuradate Town, but lost a portion of its territory to Hirosaki City on September 30, 1964.
Government
Ōwani has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town legislature of 12 members. Ōwani, together with the city of Hirakawa contributes three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The economy of Ōwani is heavily dependent on agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Tourism from ski resorts and onsen hot springs also contribute to the local economy. Mount Ajara was a venue for the 2003 Asian Winter Games.
Education
Ōwani has one public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town's only high school, a branch of Hirosaki Minami High School, closed in 2013.
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