Obanazawa
Geography. Obanazawa is located in a mountain valley northeast Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by the Mogami River to the west and the Ōu Mountains to the east. Climate. Obanazawa has a Humid continental 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 Obanazawa is . The average annual rainfall is with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest  in January, at around . The city is noted for its very heavy snowfall in winter. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Obanazawa peaked around the year 1950 and has been declining over the past 70 years. History. The area of present-day Obanazawa was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitamurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, and was raised to town status on July 26, 1897. It was made a city  on April 10, 1959. Obanazawa is the origin of one version of the Dontsuki song, the 'Hanagasa Dance Song', a song sung in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture. Government. Obanazawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 14 members. The city contributes one member to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 2 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy. The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for  its watermelons. Education. Obanazawa has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education. Transportation. Railway. East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line