Kurihara, Miyagi

nihongo|Kurihara|栗原市|Kurihara-shi is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

As of 2003, the city had an estimated population of 81,798 and a density of 101.62 persons per km². The total area is 804.93 km².

Previously a district consisting of nine towns and one village, on April 1, 2005, the towns and village merged to form a new city. The new city hall is located at Tsukidate.

Though technically referred to as a "city", Kurihara in fact functions more like a county composed of ten separate towns.

Geography

Kurihara covers the entire North Western corner of Miyagi Prefecture. It is mostly farmland, mostly rice fields, and small mountain ranges throughout, the largest of which cluster around Kurikoma-san, the tallest mountain in Kurihara located at the furthest North-Western point of Miyagi Prefecture.

Weather

Like most of Japan, the summers in Kurihara are hot and humid with temperatures usually around 40 Degrees Celsius. Summer is also typhoon season, however, since Kurihara is so far North and inland the area is rarely affected. The typhoons that do end up hitting the area are often mild without much consequence. Fall and spring are mild, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s (Celsius). In fall the days usually begin foggy and cold but clear up by midday. Spring comes late to the region since it is so far North and is mostly sunny punctuated with random light showers. Winter is the longest season in this Northern region. The temperature fluctuates around 0 Degrees Celsius, falling to an average low of -10 Degrees Celsius, and snow levels vary from town to town. Since Kurikoma and Hanayama towns are more mountainous their snowfall is significantly greater compared to Shiwahime and Tsukidate which are in flatter areas.

easons

Kurihara has an abundance of natural beauty in all of its seasons. Spring is the time for cherry blossoms, arguably the most beautiful season in Japan. In summer the lotus petals on Lake Izunuma bloom. In fall Mt. Kurikoma is covered in fall colors and in winter migrating swans and geese come in flocks to spend the season on Kurihara's lakes.

ights to See

Mt. Kurikoma:
*Mt. Kurikoma is a dormant volcano straddling the tri-prefectual border of Miyagi, Akita and Iwate. It is 1627 meters high, conical, and has a fabulous 365o panoramic view. There is an abundance of diverse alpine flora in the wetlands near its peak and expansive virgin beech forests that are home to many precious birds, insects, and other fauna. There are extensive hiking trails with hot springs located at the base and top of the mountain.

Sekai Yachi Wetlands Flower Park:
*This 14.34-hectare wetlands area is situated in the southern foothills of Mt. Kurikoma, between 669 and 707 meters above sea level. Late June is the best time to see the Middendorff's daylilies. The flowering seasons are spring and summer.

Lake Izunuma and Lake Uchinuma:
*Izunuma once covered 420 hectares but was drained in the last century to just 289 hectares. It is the largest freshwater lake in Miyagi. Migrating birds including swans, geese, and ducks, winter here. It is also the site of the Miyagi Prefectural Sanctuary Center of Izunuma-Uchinuma which was created in order to protect the abundant plant and animal life in the area. Izunuma is home to 223 species of waterfowl, or 42% of Japan's 535 total water bird. Also, from late July to late August is when the Lotus flowers bloom and the Izunuma-Uchinuma Lotus Festival is held.

There are also a number of beautiful waterfalls, parks filled with cherry blossoms in spring, and flower gardens. These include: Abazu Gorge, Shiraito Falls, Gorindoyama Park, Hasama River Park, and Sanno Historic Park Iris Garden.

Culture

Kurihara is known for the abundant, high-quality rice it produces. It is also a renowned place for viewing the leaves change in Fall as Mt. Kurikoma gets some of the best fall colors. Kurihara also has an abundance of hot springs which touritst flock to in winter in order to warm up. These include: Yu no Kura Hot Spring, Yubama Hot Spring, Hanayama Hot Spring, and Nuruyu Hot Spring.

Festivals

*Late March Tohoku Draft Horse Pull Kurikoma Tournament (Kurikoma)
*1st Sun of April Obasama Festival and Longevity Rites (Kannari)
*Mid-April Izumiya Oyashiki Festival (Semine)
*April 29 Masaoka Festival (Ichihasama)
*Mid-April Cherry Blossom Festivals (all areas)
*May 5 Hanayama Rifle Festival (Hanayama)
*Mid-June Iris Festival (Ichihasama)
*Mid-June Ichihasama Lily Garden Opening (Ichihasama)
*1st Sun of July Iris Festival and "Kagura" Sacred Dance (Ichihasama)
*3rd Sun of July Michinoku "Kagura" Sacred Dance Festival (Tsukidate)
*Late July Kurikoma Float Parade Festival (Kurikoma)
*August Izunuma-Uchinuma Lotus Festival (Wakayanagi, Tsukidate)
*August 5-6 Tsukidate Tanabata Festival (Tsukidate)
*August 14 Waterwheel (Suisha) Festival (Shiwahime)
*August 15-16 Wakayanagi Summer Festival (Wakayanagi)
*Early October Autumn Lake Festival (Hanayama)
*Oct-Nov Tagaiichi Markets and Festivals
*November 3 Tsukidate Yakushi Festival
*Early Nov Industries Festival
*Dec-Feb Festivals to Beckon and Welcome Spring (all areas)
*Mid-Jan Donto Festivals (all areas)

Transportation

Train stations

* JR East
**Tōhoku Shinkansen: Kurikoma-Kōgen (Shiwahime)
**Tōhoku Main Line: Semine, Arikabe
* Most of the former stations of the Kurihara Den'en Railway "(decommissioned on March 31 2007)" were located in Kurihara: Ishikoshi - Aramachi - Wakayanagi - Yachihata - Ōokashōmae - Ōoka - Sawabe - Tsukumo - Sugihashi - Toyasaki - Kurikoma - Kurihara Tamachi - Omatsu - Uguisuzawa - Uguisuzawa Kōgyōkōkō Mae - Hosokura Mine Park Mae

Major roads

* Tohoku Expressway, Route 4, Route 398, Route 457

Former towns and villages

* Hanayama
* Ichihasama
* Kannari
* Kurikoma
* Semine
* Shiwahime
* Takashimizu
* Tsukidate
* Uguisuzawa
* Wakayanagi

References

"The Pleasures of Kurihara" information pamphlet