Nikaho, Akita

Nikaho (にかほ市, Nikaho-shi) is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2023, the city had an estimated population of 22,958 in 9388 households, and a population density of 95 persons per km. The total area of the city is 241.13 square kilometres (93.10 sq mi).
Nikaho is located at the far southwest corner of Akita Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west, and by Yamagata Prefecture to the south. Part of the city is within the borders of the Chōkai Quasi-National Park.
Akita Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture
Nikaho has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Nikaho is 13.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1877 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around -0.9 °C.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Nikaho has been declining over the past 30 years.
The area of present-day Nikaho was part of ancient Ugo Province, dominated by the Satake clan during the Edo period, who ruled Kubota Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. After the start of the Meiji period, it became part of Yuri District, Akita Prefecture in 1878 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The village of Hirasawa was established on April 1, 1889, and was raised to town status on June 4, 1902. After merging with the villages of Koide and Innai on March 31, 1955, it was renamed Nikaho town.
The city of Nikaho was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of Nikaho, with the neighboring the towns of Kisakata and Konoura.
Nikaho 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 Aichi District 3 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
The economy of Nikaho is based on commercial fishing and agriculture centered on rice cultivation, and light manufacturing. More than 80% of the manufactured goods shipment value is accounted for by the electronic components, devices, and electronic circuit manufacturing. Industry includes a large factory by the electronics firm TDK.
Nikaho has four public elementary schools and three public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one public high schools operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education.
East Japan Railway Company - Uetsu Main Line
Mount Chōkai is an inactive volcano which stands alone on the border between Akita Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. It is 2236 metres high and is the second highest mountain in the Tōhoku area. It is popular with skiers, hikers and climbers.
There are two main trails for climbing Mount Chōkai from the Akita side. One trailhead is in Yurihonjō, Akita, north of Nikaho. The other, in Nikaho, starts at the Nakajima parking area. A one-way hike from the Nakajima commonly takes 4 hours and offers outstanding views of the Japan Sea coast and the lush greenery of the Nikaho area.
The mountain has its own unique Alpine plants and vegetation such as Chōkai Thistle (チョウカイアザミ) or Chōkai Fusuma (チョウカイフスマ).