Sannohe, Aomori Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Sannohe (三戸町, Sannohe-machi) is a town located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The town had an estimated population density of 60 persons per km². The total area of the town is 151.79 square km (58.61 sq mi).

Geography Sannohe occupies an inland area in south-east corner of Aomori Prefecture, south of the Hakkōda Mountains. The terrain is relatively flat, with mountains extending in the north-western part of the town. The Mabechi River flows from north to south through the centre of the town.

Neighbouring municipalities Aomori Prefecture • Nanbu • Takko • Shingō; Iwate Prefecture • Ninohe; Akita Prefecture • Kazuno

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Sannohe peaked in the 1950s has steadily declined since. It is now less than it was a century ago.

History The area around Sannohe has been inhabited since ancient times, and numerous Jōmon period remains have been found. During the Kamakura period it was the centre of the domains awarded to Nanbu Mitsuyuki, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoritomo after the defeat of the Northern Fujiwara clan in 1187. It remained under the control of the Nanbu clan through the Sengoku period as a castle town centered on Sannohe Castle. During the Edo period, came under the control of Morioka Domain, and a daikansho was established on the site of the former castle. It was proclaimed a town after Meiji Restoration, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889. On 20 March 1955, the three neighboring villages of Sarube, Tomesaki and Tonai merged with Sannohe.

Government Sannohe has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Sannohe is part of Sannohe District which contributes three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Aomori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Sannohe is heavily dependent on agriculture, with tobacco as the main crop, followed by rice and apples. Due to its many historical relics, the town is also developing tourism as a mainstay of the local economy.

Education Sannohe has two public elementary schools and one public middle schools operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail Aoimori Railway Company - Aoimori Railway Line • Metoki

Transport: Road • National Route 4 • National Route 104.

Local attractions • Sannohe Castle, a reconstructed Japanese castle • Nakuidake Prefectural Natural Park.