Nonoichi, Ishikawa
Geography. Nonoichi is in central Ishikawa Prefecture, sandwiched between the geographically much larger cities of Kanazawa and Hakusan. The city is located on flatlands on the fertile floodplain of the Tedori River Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Nonoichi has grown rapidly over the past 40 years. Climate. Nonoichi has a humid continental climate (Köppen "Cfa") characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nonoichi is 14.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2,542 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in  August, at around 26.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.0 °C. History. The area around Nonoichi was part of ancient Kaga Province. The area became part Kaga Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate, and nonoichi was a post station on the Hokuriku kaidō highway. Following the Meiji restoration, the area was organised into Ishikawa District, Ishikawa. The village of Nonoichi was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on July 1, 1924. A referendum to merge with the city of Kanazawa was rejected  in 1937. On April 1, 1955, Nonoichi expanded by annexing the neighbouring village of Tomioka. Nonoichi was elevated to city status on November 11, 2011. Ishikawa District was dissolved as a result of this merger. Government. Nonoichi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 15 members. Economy. Nonoichi is primarily a bedroom community for the city of Kanazawa. Local industries include agriculture and food processing. Education. Primary and secondary education. Nonoichi has five public elementary schools and two middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high  school operated by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school. Transportation. Railway. West Japan Railway Company - Hokuriku Main Line