Nishiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Nishiaizu (西会津町, Nishiaizu-machi) is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020, the town had an estimated population density of 20 persons per km². Approximately 66% of the population is over the age of 65. The total area is 298.18 square km (115.13 sq mi).

Geography Nishiaizu is located at the far north-western corner of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, bordered Niigata Prefecture to the north and the west. It is known as the "front door" to the Iide Mountains. About 86 percent of the total area is composed of mountains and forests. • Mountains: Mount Mikunidake (1644 m) • Rivers: Aga River

Neighboring municipalities Fukushima Prefecture • Kitakata • Yanaizu • Aizubange • Kaneyama; Niigata Prefecture • Aga.

History The area of present-day Nishiaizu was part of ancient Mutsu Province and formed part of the holdings of Aizu Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it was organized as part of Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture. The town of Nishiaizu was founded on July 1, 1954 through a merger of the villages of Shingo and Okugawa with the town of Nozawa and villages of Onomoto, Tosejima, Mutsuai, Shitatani, Muraoka, Kaminojiri and Hosaka in Kawanuma District. In 2006, Nishiaizu residents decided to decline a merger with the city of Kitakata.

Economy Nishiaizu is a rural area with a local economy dependent on agriculture and forestry.

Education Nishiaizu has one public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education. • Nishiaizu Elementary School • Nishiaizu High School.

Transport: Rail JR East – Ban'etsu West Line • Onobori - Nozawa - Kami-Nojiri - Tokusawa.

Transport: Road • Ban-etsu Expressway – Nishiaizu PA • National Route 49 • National Route 400 • National Route 459.

Local attractions • Enmanji Kannon-dō, the temple building is the one designated Important Cultural Property in Nishiaizu. • 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.