Hiranai, Aomori

Hiranai 平内町
Town
Hiranai Town Hall Hiranai Town Hall
Flag of Hiranai Flag Official seal of Hiranai Seal
Location of Hiranai in Aomori Prefecture Location of Hiranai in Aomori Prefecture
Hiranai
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori Prefecture
District	Higashitsugaru
Area
• Total	217.09 km2 (83.82 sq mi)
Population (February 2015)
• Total	11,222
• Density	51.7/km2 (134/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Pine
- Flower	Camellia
- Bird	Swan
Phone number	017-755-2111
Address	Aomori-ken Higashitsugaru-gun, Hiranai-machi, Kominato 63 039-3393
Website	www.town.hiranai.aomori.jp

Hiranai (平内町, Hiranai-machi) is a town located in Higashitsugaru District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of February 2015, the town had an estimated population of 11,222 and a population density of 51.7 persons per km². Its total area was 217.09 km².

Geography

Hiranai occupies the Natsudomari Peninsula, jutting into central Mutsu Bay. The town has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snow.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Aomori
• Noheji
• Tohoku
• Shichinohe

History

The area around Hiranai was controlled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. During the cadastral reform of 1889, Natsudomari Peninsula was divided into the three villages of Nakahiranai, Nishihiranai, and Higashihiranai. Nakahiranai became Kominato Town on October 1, 1928. On March 31, 1955, Kominato merged with Nishihiranai and Higashihiranai to form Hiranai Town.

Economy

The economy of Hiranai is heavily dependent on commercial fishing. Some of the locally caught seafood include sea urchin roe, sea cucumber, scallops, abalone and squid. Tourism also plays a role in the economy, with beaches in close proximity to the city of Aomori in summer, ski resorts in winter, and onsen all year drawing tourists.

Transportation

Railway

• Aoimori Railway Company
  • Aoimori Railway Line
    • Nishi-Hiranai Station, Kominato Station, Shimizugawa Station, Karibasawa Station

Highway

• Japan National Route 4

Notable people from Hiranai

• Takahashi Chikuzan - professional Tsugaru-jamisen musician
• Toru Hosokawa - professional baseball player

External links

• (Japanese) Hiranai official website