   is a city located in eastern tochigi prefecture, japan; which is in the northern part of the kantÅ region north of tokyo. otawara is approximately 40 kilometers north of utsunomiya, the capital of tochigi, and approximately 50 km east of the historic city of nikkÅ. the city's name may also be spelled "ohtawara" as indicated by the official city website. as of december 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 77,954 and a population density of 223.2 persons per kmÂ². the total area is 354.12 kmÂ². ==climate== Åtawara has an average temperature of 1.2 degrees celsius in january up to 23.1 degrees celsius in august and an annual average temperature of 12.5 degrees celsius. Åtawara averages approximately 158.7 centimeters of rainfall per year with the wettest months being june through september. ==geography== about 50% of Åtawara is covered by rice fields with about 12% being mountains and forests. the elevation of Åtawara is 217.76 meters. == history == the modern city was founded on december 1, 1954. Åtawara castle was built in 1545 and it prospered during the edo period (1603-1867) as a castle town. Åtawara prefecture was born in 1871 and afterwards it was integrated into tochigi prefecture. the town was known as Åtawara in 1889. on december 1, 1954, the town of Åtawara and the villages of chikasono and kaneda combined to form Åtawara city. ===mergers=== on december 31, 1954, part of nozaki town was merged into the city. on april 1, 1955, part of nishinasuno town merged with the city. on november 5, 1955, the town of sakuyama merged into the city. on october 1, 2005, the town of kurobane, and the village of yuzugami (both from nasu district) were merged into Åtawara city. == cultural and historical assets == thumb|right|entrance to kÅshin-ji in Åtawara. otawara is home to several historical and cult
Cities_in_Tochigi_Prefecture