# Aridagawa, Wakayama

Aridagawa (有田川町, Aridagawa-chō) is a town located in Arida District, in central Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2021, the town had an estimated population of 25,940 in 10680 households and a population density of 74 persons per km². The total area of the town is 351.84 square kilometres (135.85 sq mi).

## Geography

Aridagawa is located in the north-center of Wakayama prefecture, with the Aridagawa River running through the center of the town. Although there are some flatlands along the Aridagawa River, most of the town tends to be mountainous.
* Mountains: Mt. Washigamine (589m)
* Flatlands: Aridagawa Plain
* Rivers: Aridagawa River (Futagawa Dam)It was established on January 1, 2006, by the merger of the towns of Kanaya, Kibi and Shimizu, all from Arida District.

### Neighboring municipalities

Wakayama Prefecture
    Arida, Kainan, Tanabe
    Arida District: Yuasa, Hirogawa
    Kaisō District: Kimino
    Hidaka District: Hidakagawa
    Ito District: Katsuragi
Nara Prefecture
    Yoshino District: Nosegawa

### Climate

Aridagawa has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Aridagawa is 13.9 °C (57.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,097.3 mm (82.57 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C (77.4 °F), and lowest in January, at around 2.9 °C (37.2 °F). The area is subject to typhoons in summer.
Climate data for Shimizu, Aridagawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1979−present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 19.2 (66.6) | 21.0 (69.8) | 23.4 (74.1) | 29.6 (85.3) | 31.8 (89.2) | 34.3 (93.7) | 36.6 (97.9) | 37.0 (98.6) | 34.2 (93.6) | 30.5 (86.9) | 24.9 (76.8) | 23.6 (74.5) | 37.0 (98.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 8.0 (46.4) | 9.3 (48.7) | 13.3 (55.9) | 19.0 (66.2) | 23.7 (74.7) | 26.2 (79.2) | 29.9 (85.8) | 31.2 (88.2) | 27.6 (81.7) | 21.9 (71.4) | 16.3 (61.3) | 10.6 (51.1) | 19.8 (67.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.9 (37.2) | 3.8 (38.8) | 7.1 (44.8) | 12.3 (54.1) | 17.2 (63.0) | 20.9 (69.6) | 24.6 (76.3) | 25.2 (77.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 15.9 (60.6) | 10.1 (50.2) | 5.0 (41.0) | 13.9 (57.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.3 (29.7) | −0.9 (30.4) | 1.6 (34.9) | 6.2 (43.2) | 11.4 (52.5) | 16.6 (61.9) | 20.7 (69.3) | 21.1 (70.0) | 17.6 (63.7) | 11.4 (52.5) | 5.3 (41.5) | 0.7 (33.3) | 9.2 (48.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −9.4 (15.1) | −8.3 (17.1) | −5.3 (22.5) | −2.8 (27.0) | 0.2 (32.4) | 5.8 (42.4) | 11.6 (52.9) | 13.1 (55.6) | 7.4 (45.3) | 0.3 (32.5) | −2.3 (27.9) | −5.2 (22.6) | −9.4 (15.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 80.7 (3.18) | 97.7 (3.85) | 145.6 (5.73) | 156.9 (6.18) | 184.0 (7.24) | 263.4 (10.37) | 303.5 (11.95) | 215.9 (8.50) | 262.3 (10.33) | 188.9 (7.44) | 114.9 (4.52) | 83.6 (3.29) | 2,097.3 (82.57) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 10.1 | 9.8 | 11.9 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 13.5 | 12.0 | 10.4 | 11.1 | 10.2 | 8.1 | 9.9 | 128.4 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 93.8 | 104.4 | 145.0 | 179.2 | 188.4 | 122.6 | 155.4 | 191.1 | 141.2 | 143.6 | 125.8 | 102.3 | 1,703 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Aridagawa has been declining steadily over the past 70 years.

## History

Aridagawa was established on January 1, 2006, by the merger of the towns of Kanaya, Kibi and Shimizu, all from Arida District.

## Government

Aridagawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Hidaka collectively with the other municipalities of Arida District, contributes two members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

## Economy

The economy of Aridagawa is dominated by agriculture (horticulture), especially with citrus fruits. The town is also a major producer of sanshō pepper.

## Education

Aridagawa has nine public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education..

## Transportation
### Railway

JR West – Kisei Main Line
* Fujinami Station

### Highways

* Hanwa Expressway Road
* Yuasa-Gobo Road
* National Route 42
* National Route 371
* National Route 424
* National Route 480

## Local attractions

* Aragijima rice terraces
* Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park