Nagai

Nagai City Hall
Nagai-shi ; 長井市
Geographical location in Japan
Region :	Tōhoku
Prefecture :	Yamagata
Coordinates :	38 ° 6 ' N , 140 ° 2' E Coordinates: 38 ° 6 '27 " N , 140 ° 2' 26" E
Basic data
Surface:	214.69 km²
Residents :	26,338 ; (October 1, 2019)
Population density :	123 inhabitants per km²
Community key :	06209-0
Symbols
Flag / coat of arms:
Tree :	azalea
Flower :	Iris sanguinea
town hall
Address :	Nagai City Hall ; 5 - 1 , Mamanoue; Nagai -shi ; Yamagata 993-8601
Website URL:	http://www.city.nagai.yamagata.jp
Location Nagais in Yamagata Prefecture

Nagai ( Japanese 長井市 , -shi ) is a city in the southwest of Yamagata Prefecture .

geography

It extends in a basin that is surrounded by the mountains Asahi and Iide and other mountain ranges. The area extends over 20.4 km in north-south direction and 22.7 km in east-west direction. The Mogami River flows through the middle of the Nagai Valley . The Okitama-Nogawa River (22.6 km), which has its source at the foot of the Asahi massif, flows through the city and flows like the Okitama-Shirakawa River (42.4 km), which has its source at the Iide massif and flows south past Nagai, into the Mogami. The highest point is the Hiraiwagama (平岩山) with 1609 m.

history

On May 30, 1922, a meteorite of the type L6 ( olivine-hypersthene-chondrite ) of 1810 grams hit a rice field in the area of the village of Nagai . The asteroid was named Nagai .

The city was created on November 15, 1954 by merging the villages of Hirano ( 平野村 , -mura ), Isazawa ( 伊佐沢村 , -mura ), Nagai ( 長井村 , -mura ), Nishine ( 西根村 , -mura ) and Toyoda ( 豊田村 , -mura ) of Nishiokitama County .

nature

In spring, the 1200 year old cherry tree ( 久保埜桜 Kubonozakura ), which is a national cultural monument with a height of 13 m and a circumference of 11 m, blooms first .
At the end of May, 3000 white azaleas bloom , some of which are more than 750 years old. For the viewer they simulate a winter landscape.
At the end of June, one million Iris sanguinea ( irises ) bloom, unique in Japan, in the 3.3 hectare Ayame Park ( 菖蒲公園 Ayame-kōen ).

In autumn blooming Hagi bushes ( Lespedeza bicolor var. Japonica , Pea ), with its red and white flowers on an area of 7000 m² in Hagipark ( はぎ公園 Hagi-kōen ).

useful information

Tsumugi ( raw silk ): Nagai became famous throughout Japan for the special technique of silk weaving. First the silk thread is dyed and then woven into warm, colorful patterns. In 1976 weaving technology was recognized as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Trade and Industry ( MITI ).
Narushima pottery: the cobalt blue glaze called Namakoyu has been applied for over 200 years. It conveys a unique shine.
Kanaigami broom: typical Japanese cypress broom is traditionally made in Nagai.
Mink breeding
Kokeshi dolls from Nagai
The black dragon as a mask is rare by Japanese standards and therefore remarkable. Usually they are red. The appearance of the lion on his festive days is worth seeing.