Towada
Geography. Towada is in the foothills of the Hakkōda Mountains and encompasses the Aomori portion of Lake Towada. The Oirase River passes through the town. Towada is an area rich in nature. To the west are Towada-Hachimantai National Park. In particular, Lake Towada and the Oirase River are famous tourist spots. As for industry, agriculture is thriving, and the city produces the largest amount of garlic in Japan. The central part of the city is characterized by its orderly grid-like streets. In particular, "Government Office Street" is a popular place for citizens to enjoy the Someiyoshino (Japanese  cherry) trees planted along the street. In recent years, the city has been promoting its urban policy as a "Arts Towada," with the Towada Art Center (Art museum) as its centerpiece. Towada is home to the national and prefectural agencies that administer the Kamikita region, and is the central city of the region. In October 2012, the city signed an agreement with nine surrounding municipalities to improve the living environment, and has a cooperative relationship with Misawa City, which has an airport and a U.S. Air Force base. Neighboring municipalities. Aomori Prefecture Akita Prefecture Climate. The city has a cold  humid climate characterized by cool summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Towada is 9.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1233 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.3 °C. Part of the city is within the limits of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Towada peaked at around the year 2000, and has been in decline thereafter. History. The area around  present-day Towada was formerly a wasteland known as , which became the location of a colonization and land reclamation project initiated by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain from 1855. The project was headed by Nitobe Tsutō, the grandfather of Inazō Nitobe. The project was continued by the Meiji government, and the area was designated a ranch area for breeding cavalry horses by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1885. The inclement climate of the area was considered ideal for breeding horses that would be suitable for use in the cold climate areas of Manchuria and Siberia. The village of Sanbongi  was established with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On September 1, 1910, Sanbongi was designated a town. It was elevated to the status of a city on February 1, 1955. In October 1956, it changed its name to “Towada”. On January 1, 2005, the town of Towadako (from Kamikita District) was merged into Towada. Government. Towada has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. Towada contributes two members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part  of Aomori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy. The economy of Towada is based largely on agriculture. Education. High schools. Towada has four public high schools operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education Elementary schools and middle schools. There are 17 public elementary schools and 9 public middle schools in Towada operated by the municipal government, and one middle school operated by the prefectural government. Transportation. Railway. Towada currently has no passenger railway service. The Towada Kankō Electric Railway Line connecting Towada with Misawa had five stations within the city. It was discontinued  in 2012 and replaced by a bus service.