Semboku 仙北市 | |
|---|---|
 Semboku City Hall Kakunodate Office | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Semboku in Akita Prefecture | |
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  Semboku | |
| Coordinates:39°42′06″N140°43′53.4″E / 39.70167°N 140.731500°E /39.70167; 140.731500 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Akita |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,093.56 km2 (422.23 sq mi) |
| Population (January 31, 2023) | |
• Total | 24,045 |
| • Density | 22/km2 (57/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Phone number | 0187-43-1111 |
| Address | 30 Miyanoshiro, Obonai, Tazawako, Semboku-shi, Akita-ken 014-1201 |
| Climate | Dfa |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Golden eagle |
| Flower | Hydrangea |
| Tree | Beech |
Semboku (仙北市,Semboku-shi) is acity located inAkita Prefecture,Japan. As of 31 January 2023[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 24,045 in 10,398 households,[1] and apopulation density of 22 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 1,093.56 square kilometers (422 sq mi).
Semboku is located in the mountains of east-central Akita Prefecture, bordering onIwate Prefecture and theŌu Mountains on the east.Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, is located in the center of the city borders. Parts of the city are within the borders of theTowada-Hachimantai National Park.
Akita Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
Semboku has aHumid continental climate (Köppen climate classificationDfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Semboku is 9.7 °C (49.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,180.4 mm (85.84 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.1 °C (73.6 °F), and lowest in January, at around −2.6 °C (27.3 °F).[2]
| Climate data forTazawako, Semboku (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 10.9 (51.6) | 16.8 (62.2) | 18.1 (64.6) | 29.4 (84.9) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.6 (90.7) | 35.8 (96.4) | 36.5 (97.7) | 33.3 (91.9) | 27.9 (82.2) | 23.2 (73.8) | 15.4 (59.7) | 36.5 (97.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) | 1.5 (34.7) | 5.3 (41.5) | 12.8 (55.0) | 19.2 (66.6) | 23.2 (73.8) | 26.2 (79.2) | 27.8 (82.0) | 23.7 (74.7) | 17.1 (62.8) | 9.9 (49.8) | 3.1 (37.6) | 14.2 (57.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −2.6 (27.3) | −2.1 (28.2) | 1.0 (33.8) | 7.2 (45.0) | 13.6 (56.5) | 18.1 (64.6) | 21.9 (71.4) | 23.1 (73.6) | 18.7 (65.7) | 12.0 (53.6) | 5.4 (41.7) | −0.1 (31.8) | 9.7 (49.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.0 (21.2) | −5.9 (21.4) | −3.1 (26.4) | 1.8 (35.2) | 8.1 (46.6) | 13.5 (56.3) | 18.3 (64.9) | 19.3 (66.7) | 14.5 (58.1) | 7.2 (45.0) | 1.2 (34.2) | −3.2 (26.2) | 5.5 (41.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −17.6 (0.3) | −17.1 (1.2) | −16.1 (3.0) | −8.0 (17.6) | −2.0 (28.4) | 3.8 (38.8) | 9.6 (49.3) | 9.0 (48.2) | 2.2 (36.0) | −2.2 (28.0) | −8.2 (17.2) | −14.2 (6.4) | −17.6 (0.3) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 132.4 (5.21) | 118.0 (4.65) | 149.1 (5.87) | 153.0 (6.02) | 165.9 (6.53) | 161.7 (6.37) | 290.5 (11.44) | 280.8 (11.06) | 193.2 (7.61) | 179.5 (7.07) | 190.1 (7.48) | 166.0 (6.54) | 2,180.4 (85.84) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 19.5 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 14.6 | 13.0 | 11.4 | 15.0 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 14.6 | 18.1 | 20.3 | 186.6 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 41.6 | 60.2 | 94.5 | 137.4 | 178.2 | 165.7 | 136.3 | 162.3 | 133.2 | 125.4 | 78.6 | 44.9 | 1,358.1 |
| Source:Japan Meteorological Agency[2][3] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data forKakunodate, Semboku (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) | 13.7 (56.7) | 19.7 (67.5) | 30.4 (86.7) | 33.3 (91.9) | 34.5 (94.1) | 37.8 (100.0) | 37.7 (99.9) | 35.8 (96.4) | 29.5 (85.1) | 24.3 (75.7) | 17.8 (64.0) | 37.8 (100.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) | 2.7 (36.9) | 6.9 (44.4) | 14.7 (58.5) | 21.1 (70.0) | 25.2 (77.4) | 28.1 (82.6) | 29.7 (85.5) | 25.5 (77.9) | 18.7 (65.7) | 11.1 (52.0) | 4.1 (39.4) | 15.8 (60.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −1.6 (29.1) | −1.1 (30.0) | 2.1 (35.8) | 8.5 (47.3) | 14.8 (58.6) | 19.4 (66.9) | 23.0 (73.4) | 24.1 (75.4) | 19.7 (67.5) | 12.9 (55.2) | 6.3 (43.3) | 0.8 (33.4) | 10.7 (51.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −4.9 (23.2) | −4.7 (23.5) | −2.1 (28.2) | 2.9 (37.2) | 9.2 (48.6) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.0 (66.2) | 19.8 (67.6) | 15.2 (59.4) | 8.1 (46.6) | 2.2 (36.0) | −2.1 (28.2) | 6.4 (43.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −16.3 (2.7) | −16.7 (1.9) | −12.9 (8.8) | −8.8 (16.2) | −0.5 (31.1) | 5.3 (41.5) | 10.8 (51.4) | 11.3 (52.3) | 3.4 (38.1) | −0.9 (30.4) | −8.2 (17.2) | −13.0 (8.6) | −16.7 (1.9) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 171.6 (6.76) | 140.5 (5.53) | 135.7 (5.34) | 129.1 (5.08) | 148.7 (5.85) | 152.3 (6.00) | 273.6 (10.77) | 254.9 (10.04) | 180.5 (7.11) | 171.5 (6.75) | 202.5 (7.97) | 197.8 (7.79) | 2,158.4 (84.98) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 218 (86) | 175 (69) | 95 (37) | 7 (2.8) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 12 (4.7) | 130 (51) | 630 (248) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 22.3 | 19.6 | 18.0 | 13.9 | 13.0 | 11.2 | 14.2 | 12.5 | 13.3 | 15.2 | 18.8 | 21.8 | 193.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 3 cm) | 20.1 | 17.2 | 11.4 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 11.9 | 63 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 50.9 | 69.1 | 108.3 | 155.9 | 187.9 | 176.8 | 149.0 | 183.4 | 150.3 | 135.9 | 90.7 | 54.0 | 1,512.2 |
| Source:Japan Meteorological Agency[4][5] | |||||||||||||
Per Japanese census data,[6] the population of Semboku peaked in the early 1960s and has since declined to pre-1920 levels.
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The area of present-day Semboku was part of ancientDewa Province. During theEdo period, the area came under the control of theSatake clan, who had been relocated toKubota Domain from their former holdings inHitachi Province. After the start of theMeiji period, the area became part ofSemboku District, Akita Prefecture in 1878. The town of Kakunodate was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.
The city of Semboku was established on March 22, 2005, from the merger of the towns ofKakunodate andTazawako, and the village ofNishiki (all fromSemboku District).
Semboku has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city legislature of 18 members. The city contributes one member to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Akita 3rd District of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
The economy of Semboku is based on agriculture, forestry and seasonal tourism. The city is a noted producer ofcraft beer,soy sauce andmiso.
One event that attracts many tourists is theRokugō Kamakura Festival, which is held each February 11 to 15.[7]
Semboku has seven public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.
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East Japan Railway Company -Akita Shinkansen
East Japan Railway Company -Tazawako Line
Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway -Akita Nairiku Line
Semboku istwinned with:
Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan, since July 18, 1979Sanuki, Kagawa, Japan, since September 28, 1996Shinjō, Yamagata, Japan, since July 27, 1996Takahagi, Ibaraki, Japan, since July 27, 1996Hitachiōta, Ibaraki, Japan, since November 21, 1998
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