is a town located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 11,790, and a population density of 77 persons per km2 in 4,493 households.Zaō Town official statistics The total area of the town is .
Geography Zaō is located in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan in southwestern Miyagi Prefecture in the Ōu Mountains, bordered by Yamagata Prefecture to the west. Parts of the town are within the borders of Zaō Quasi-National Park and Zaō Kōgen Prefectural Natural Park.
Neighboring municipalities Miyagi Prefecture Kawasaki Murata Ōgawara Shichikashuku Shiroishi Yamagata Prefecture Kaminoyama
Climate Zaō has a humid climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Zaō is . The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around .
Demographics Per Japanese census data,Zaō population statistics the population of Zaō has declined by approximately 30 percent from its peak in the 1950s.
History The area of present-day Zaō was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and was part of the holdings of Sendai Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. It was made part Katta District in the new Iwaki Province at the start of the Meiji period. The district was transferred to Miyagi Prefecture on 21 August 1876. The villages of Enda and Miyamura was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the post-Meiji restoration modern municipalities system. The two villages merged on April 1, 1955 to form the town of Zaō.
Government Zaō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members. Zaō, collectively with the city of Shiroishi and the town of Shichikashuku, contributes two seats to the Miyagi Prefectural legislature. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Miyagi 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy The economy of Zaō is largely based on agriculture (primarily through the use of polytunnels) and forestry and seasonal tourism.
Education Zaō has five public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation Zaō does not have any passenger train service.
Highway – Zaō Parking Area
Local attractions Mount Zaō Sankai Falls Zaō Kōgen Prefectural Natural Park Zaō Quasi-National Park
References
External links
Official Website