is a village located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. , the village has an estimated population of 1,965 in 869 households and a population density of 13 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the village is .

Geography

Shingō is in south-central Aomori Prefecture, east of Lake Towada. The western edge of the village borders Akita Prefecture. Much of the village is mountainous with the outer ring mountains of Lake Towada, including Mt. Okomagatake () and Mt. Toraidake (). The village area extends along National Route 454, which connects Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture and Lake Towada.

Neighboring municipalities

Aomori Prefecture

  • Sannohe District
  • Gonohe
  • Nanbu
  • Sannohe
  • Towada

Akita Prefecture

  • Kazuno

Climate

The village has a cold humid continental climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with very heavy snowfall (Köppen climate classification Dfa). The average annual temperature in Shingō is . The average annual rainfall is , with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around .

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Shingō has declined steadily over the past 70 years.

History

The area around Shingō was controlled by the Nanbu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. During the post-Meiji Restoration establishment of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, Herai Village and neighboring Nozawa Village were formed. On 29 July 1955, the western portion of Nozawa Village merged into Herai, which was then renamed Shingō.

Government

Shingō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of eight members. Shingō is part of Sannohe District which contributes three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of Aomori 2nd district of the House of Representatives of the National Diet.

Education

Shingō has one public elementary school, one public middle school, and a preschool operated by the village government. The village does not have a high school.

Economy

The economy of Shingō is heavily dependent on agriculture and tourism. Notable crops include garlic, edible chrysanthemum, Japanese yam and tobacco. Traditionally a horse breeding area, Shingō is also known for its cattle ranches.

Transportation

Railway

  • The village has no passenger railway service. The nearest train station is JR East Hachinohe Station, served by the Tohoku Shinkansen and Hachinohe Lines, and the Aoimori Railway Aoimori Railway Line.

Highway

Local attractions

"Tomb of Jesus"

thumb|Alleged tomb of Jesus in Shingō village

Shingō is the location of what is purported to be the resting place of Jesus, the , and the residence of Jesus' descendants, the Sawaguchi family. According to these claims, Jesus Christ did not die on the cross at Golgotha. Instead, a man alleged to be his brother, Isukiri (literally "Jesus Chri"), took his place on the cross, while Jesus escaped across Siberia to Mutsu Province, in northern Japan.

References

  • Official Website