Morioka Domain
The area around Noheji was inhabited by the "Emishi" people until the historical period, and the name "Noheji" is derived from "Nosobechi", or "place where a pure river flows through a field" in the Ainu language. During the Edo period, the area was controlled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain and prospered due to its fishing industry and location on the road connecting Morioka Domain with the Hirosaki Domain. During the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration, the Battle of Noheji occurred between the Tokugawa loyalist forces of Morioka Domain and pro-imperial forces of Hirosaki Domain on 11 November 1868, resulting in a victory for the Imperial faction. During the post-Meiji restoration creation of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, the village of Noheiji was established. Noheji was elevated to town status on 28 August 1898.