Hanawa, Fukushima

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Hanawa, Fukushima

Hanawa is a small town in Fukushima Prefecture, located in the southern part of the prefecture and next to Ibaraki Prefecture to the south. It covers about 211 square kilometers and had around 8,300 residents in 2020, giving a population density of roughly 40 people per square kilometer.

Geography and climate
The area includes mountains such as Yamizozan (about 1,022 meters) and Yoneyama, with the Kuji River running through it. Hanawa has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is about 12.0°C, and total yearly rainfall is around 1,420 mm, with September being the rainiest month.

History
The land was part of ancient Mutsu Province. It was divided between Tanagura Domain and tenryō lands under the Tokugawa Shogunate. After the Meiji Restoration, it became part of Higashishirakawa District. Tsunetoyo Village formed in 1889 and became Hanawa in 1948; it later merged with Sasahara, Ishii, and Takagi in 1955.

Economy and education
Hanawa’s economy is mainly agricultural, with konjac as a notable crop. The town has three public elementary schools and one combined middle/high school.

Transportation and local attractions
Rail service comes from JR East on the Suigun Line, with Iwaki-Hanawa Station serving the area. National Routes 118, 289, and 349 provide highway access. Local attractions include the Abukumo Kogen Art Museum and images related to the Tsurushi-Hina festival.

Symbols
Hanawa’s symbols are the Green pheasant (bird), Rhododendron and dahlia (flowers), and Cryptomeria (tree).

Official website: town.hanawa.fukushima.jp