Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Obanazawa (尾花沢市, Obanazawa-shi) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2020, the city had an estimated population density of 40.9 persons per km². The total area of the city is 372.32 square km (144 sq mi).

Geography Obanazawa is located in a mountain valley north-east Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by the Mogami River to the west and the Ōu Mountains to the east.

Neighboring municipalities Yamagata Prefecture ◦ Higashine ◦ Murayama ◦ Ōishida ◦ Mogami ◦ Funagata; Miyagi Prefecture ◦ Kami ◦ Sendai.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Obanazawa peaked around 1950 and has declined considerably since then.

History The area of present-day Obanazawa was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitamurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, and was raised to town status on July 26, 1897. It was made a city on April 10, 1959.

Obanazawa is the origin of one version of the Dontsuki song, the 'Hanagasa Dance Song', a song sung in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture.

Government Obanazawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 14 members. The city contributes one member to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for its watermelons.

Education Obanazawa has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line • Ashisawa (However, central Obanazawa is also served by Ōishida Station in neighboring Ōishida).

Transport: Road • Tōhoku-Chūō Expressway – Obanazawa Interchange • National Route 13 • National Route 347.

Local attractions • Ginzan Onsen • Nobesawa Ginzan, a National Historic Site.