Semboku, Akita

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Semboku peaked in the early 1960s and has since declined to pre-1920 levels.

History

The area of present-day Semboku was part of ancient Dewa Province. During the Edo period, the area came under the control of the Satake clan, who had been relocated to Kubota Domain from their former holdings in Hitachi Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Semboku 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 of Kakunodate and Tazawako, and the village of Nishiki (all from Semboku District).

Government

thumb|City Office Building

Semboku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral 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 the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Semboku is based on agriculture, forestry and seasonal tourism. The city is a noted producer of craft beer, soy sauce and miso.

One event that attracts many tourists is the Rokugō Kamakura Festival, which is held each February 11 to 15.

Education

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.

Transportation

Railway

20px East Japan Railway Company - Akita Shinkansen

20px East Japan Railway Company - Tazawako Line

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Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway - Akita Nairiku Line

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Highway

Local attractions

Kakunodate samurai residences
Lake Tazawa – the deepest lake in Japan
Ōfuka Onsen
Tamagawa Hot Spring has the highest flow rate of any hot spring in Japan at 150 liters/second, which feeds a 3 meter wide stream with a temperature of 98 degrees C. The water from Tamagawa Hot Spring is also very acidic.
Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Bukeyashiki Street in Kakunodate 20060506.jpg| Kakunodate

Mount Akita-Komagatake seen from Lake Tazawa 20210213.jpg|Lake Tazawa

Tsuru-no-yu Onsen in Feb 2015.jpg|Nyūtō Onsen Tsurunoyu

たざわ湖スキー場から田沢湖 - panoramio.jpg|Tazawako Snow Resort

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International relations

Sister cities

Semboku is twinned with:

Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan, since July 18, 1979
Sanuki, Kagawa, Japan, since September 28, 1996
Shinjō, Yamagata, Japan, since July 27, 1996
Takahagi, Ibaraki, Japan, since July 27, 1996
Hitachiōta, Ibaraki, Japan, since November 21, 1998