Ōzu, Kumamoto
Town in Kyushu, Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ōzu (大津町, Ōzu-machi) is a town located in Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2024[update], the town had an estimated population of 36,053 in 16240 households, and a population density of 520 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town is 99.10 km2 (38.26 sq mi).
Ōzu
大津町 | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Ōzu Town Hall in 2023 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Ōzu in Kumamoto Prefecture | |
 | |
  Ōzu Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 32°52′44″N 130°52′06″E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyushu |
| Prefecture | Kumamoto |
| District | Kikuchi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 99.10 km2 (38.26 sq mi) |
| Population (July 31, 2024) | |
| • Total | 36,053 |
| • Density | 360/km2 (940/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | 1233 Ozu, Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto-ken 869-1292 |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Meadow bunting |
| Flower | Azalea |
| Tree | Cryptomeria |
Ōzu is located about 19 kilometers east-northeast from the center of Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital, and Mount Aso, and is at the eastern edge of the Kumamoto Plain and the Kumamoto metropolitan area. The eastern part of the town is on the outer rim of Mount Aso. The Shirakawa River flows west through the southern part. The urban center is in the western part of the town's geographic area.
Ōzu was near the epicenter of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.
Neighboring municipalities
Kumamoto Prefecture
Climate
Ōzu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ōzu is 14.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2000 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.1 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Ōzu is as shown below
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 21,885 | — |
| 1970 | 18,322 | −16.3% |
| 1980 | 19,894 | +8.6% |
| 1990 | 23,744 | +19.4% |
| 2000 | 28,021 | +18.0% |
| 2010 | 31,234 | +11.5% |
| 2020 | 35,187 | +12.7% |
The area of Ōzu was part of ancient Higo Province, During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Ōzu was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.
Ōzu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members. Ōzu, collectively with the other municipalities of Kikuchi District contributes two members to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Kumamoto 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Ōzu has an economy dominated b agriculture and manufacturing. Notably, there is a large Honda motorcycle factory located in Ōzu that employs people from around the world.[3] Ozu is also known for its sweet potatoes (karaimo).[4]
Ōzu has seven public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town government, and two public high schools operated by the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
Railways
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Highways
The town is known for its Azalea (tsutsuji) Festival in the spring. The town also has one of the oldest homes in Kikuchi District that opens twice a year for tourists, a racing track, and is located on the edge of the caldera that surrounds Mount Aso.[4]
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