Awara, Fukui Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Awara (あわら市, Awara-shi) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2021, the city had an estimated population density of 232 persons per km². The total area of the city was 116.98 square km (45.17 sq mi). It is one of the few Hiragana cities in Japan. Awara is a city famous for its onsen resorts and natural hotwater springs.

Geography Awara is located in far northern Fukui Prefecture, bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the north and the Sea of Japan to the north-east, The city of Sakai surrounds the city to the east, south and west.

Neighbouring municipalities Fukui Prefecture ◦ Sakai; Ishikawa Prefecture ◦ Kaga.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Awara peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.

History Awara is part of ancient Echizen Province. During the Edo period, the area was divided between the holdings of Fukui Domain, Maruoka Domain and Nishio Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organised into part of Sakai District in Fukui Prefecture. Awara Onsen was developed from June 1884. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Kanazu and villages of Awara, Ii, Tsuboe, Hosorogi, Yoshizaki, Kitagata and Honjō were established. Awara was raised to town status in February 1935. The villages of Ii, Tsuboe, Hosoroe, and Yoshizaki merged into Kanazu in October 1954, and Kitagata and Honsho were merged into Awara in March 1955. Most of Awara Onsen burned down in a fire in April 1956. Awara and Kanazu merged to form the city of Awara on March 1, 2004.

Government Awara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Economy The economy of Awara is mixed, with agriculture and the tourism industry centered on Awara Onsen playing prominent roles. Hitachi Zosen Fukui Corporation, a hydraulic press manufacturer, is headquartered in Awara.

Education Awara has seven public elementary schools and two middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education.

High school • Kanazu High School (金津高校); Junior high schools • Awara Junior High School (芦原中学校) • Kanazu Junior High School (金津中学校); Elementary schools • Awara Elementary School (芦原小学校) • Kitagata Elementary School 北潟小学校) • Kanazu Elementary School (金津小学校) • Hosorogi Elementary School (細呂木小学校) • Kanazu Higashi Elementary School (金津東小学校) • Ii Elementary School (伊井小学校) • Honjo Elementary School (本荘小学校).

Transport: Rail • JR West - Hokuriku Main Line ◦ Awaraonsen, Hosorogi, Ushinoya • Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line ◦ Honjō - Banden - Awara-Yunomachi.

Transport: Road • National Route 8 • National Route 305 • National Route 265.

Local attractions • Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park • Awara Onsen • site of Yoshizaki-gobō.