Takizawa, Iwate
Encyclopedia
is a village
located in Iwate District
, Iwate
, Japan
.
, the village has an estimated population of 52,981 and a density
of 290.59 persons per km². The total area is 182.32 km².
Takizawa is the largest village in Japan by size and population. However, it is unlikely to ever gain city status as the village has no city center. The population is fairly well spread out throughout the village and there are no industrial or commercial centers within its borders.
Takizawa is famous for its Chagu-Chagu Festival held every June. The festival is designated by the Japanese government to be an important cultural asset. The festival celebrates the horses which once played an important role in the areas agriculture. The festival gets its name from the bells the horses wear during the procession. The sound the bells make, in Japanese, is "chagu-chagu".
The festival begins at Chagu-Chagu Shrine which is a large shrine in Takizawa dedicated to horses. After a brief ceremony a long line of colorfully dressed horses ridden mostly by children in traditional dress leave the shrine and go on a 15km procession that takes them to Hachimangu Shrine in Morioka. In total the trip takes nearly five hours to complete.
The Koiwai Snow Festival（ 小岩井雪祭 ）
Every year Kowai Farm puts on the Koiwai Yuki Matsuri. This festival is noteworthy for its giant snow sculptures. Many of the sculptures can reach 30ft in height or more while most of them can be touched and even climbed on. During the festival there are several traditional musical and dance performances held on a giant stage made from packed snow. The festival ends with an impressive fireworks display which is choreographed to music.
A popular event at the festival is eating yakiniku or gageskhan (thinly sliced beef or lamb grilled over a fire or on a hot plate) in an igloo.
Dairy production is a large industry in Takizawa as well. Koiwai Farm is currently the largest privately owned dairy production center in Japan. The farm produces a full range of dairy products from milk, an assortment of cheeses, and various butters. Koiwai products can be bought throughout the nation.
Villages of Japan
A is a local administrative unit in Japan.It is a local public body along with , , and . Geographically, a village's extent is contained within a prefecture....
located in Iwate District
Iwate District, Iwate
is a district located in Iwate, Japan. As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 142,495. The total area is 2,846.44 km². The district covers the northern part of Morioka Metropolitan Area...
, Iwate
Iwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
, the village has an estimated population of 52,981 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 290.59 persons per km². The total area is 182.32 km².
Takizawa is the largest village in Japan by size and population. However, it is unlikely to ever gain city status as the village has no city center. The population is fairly well spread out throughout the village and there are no industrial or commercial centers within its borders.
Festivals
The Chagu-Chagu Horse Festival ( チャグチャグ馬コ )Takizawa is famous for its Chagu-Chagu Festival held every June. The festival is designated by the Japanese government to be an important cultural asset. The festival celebrates the horses which once played an important role in the areas agriculture. The festival gets its name from the bells the horses wear during the procession. The sound the bells make, in Japanese, is "chagu-chagu".
The festival begins at Chagu-Chagu Shrine which is a large shrine in Takizawa dedicated to horses. After a brief ceremony a long line of colorfully dressed horses ridden mostly by children in traditional dress leave the shrine and go on a 15km procession that takes them to Hachimangu Shrine in Morioka. In total the trip takes nearly five hours to complete.
The Koiwai Snow Festival（ 小岩井雪祭 ）
Every year Kowai Farm puts on the Koiwai Yuki Matsuri. This festival is noteworthy for its giant snow sculptures. Many of the sculptures can reach 30ft in height or more while most of them can be touched and even climbed on. During the festival there are several traditional musical and dance performances held on a giant stage made from packed snow. The festival ends with an impressive fireworks display which is choreographed to music.
A popular event at the festival is eating yakiniku or gageskhan (thinly sliced beef or lamb grilled over a fire or on a hot plate) in an igloo.
Agriculture and Industry
Takizawa is known for its summer watermelon and fall apples. Both industries are well represented within in the village. People from all over Japan order Takizawa watermelon and apples when they are in season.Dairy production is a large industry in Takizawa as well. Koiwai Farm is currently the largest privately owned dairy production center in Japan. The farm produces a full range of dairy products from milk, an assortment of cheeses, and various butters. Koiwai products can be bought throughout the nation.
External links
- Takizawa official website
- Information about the Chagu-Chagu Horse Festival from the Japan National Tourist Organization
- Koiwai's official website
- Koiwai's English website