Daigo, Ibaraki
Geography. Located in northwestern Ibaraki Prefecture along the upper reaches of the Kuji River, Daigo is bordered to the north by Fukushima Prefecture and to the west by Tochigi Prefecture. Surrounding municipalities. Ibaraki Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture Climate. Although the altitude is relatively low at 120 meters, Daigo is very chilly in the morning and evening in winter because it is located in a basin. The average minimum temperature of minus 5.5 ℃ in January is almost the same as Morioka, Iwate, much further north, and Daigo is known for having some of the coldest winters in  the Kantō region. However, during the daytime, the temperature rises to nearly 10 °C due to solar radiation. In addition, summers often record hot days. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Daigo has decreased drastically and is now less than half of what it was 60 years ago. History. Daigo village was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was elevated to town status on July 20, 1891. On March 31, 1955, the villages of Yorigami, Fukuroda, Miyagawa, Kurosawa, Namase, Kamiogawa, Shimoogawa and Murotono merged with Daigo. Government. Daigo has  a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 13 members. Daigo, together with neighboring Hitachiōta, contributes two members to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Ibaraki 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy. Daigo is noted for many onsen (hot springs) located in Daigo, which provide sees revenue and for food processing. Education. Daigo has six public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki  Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. Transportation. Railway. JR East – Suigun Line