Kosaka has a cold Humid continental climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall and (Köppen climate classificationDfa). The average annual temperature in Kosaka is 8.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1466 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 22.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -4.3 °C.[3]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Kosaka has declined by more than two-thirds since 1960.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1960
15,676
—
1970
13,768
−12.2%
1980
10,526
−23.5%
1990
8,035
−23.7%
2000
7,171
−10.8%
2010
6,054
−15.6%
2020
4,780
−21.0%
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History
The area of present-day Kosaka was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was ruled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. The “Kosaka-kaido” highway connecting Morioka Domain with Hirosaki Domain passed through Kosaka. Under the Nambu, major deposits of gold and silver were mined by the Fujita-gumi, the predecessor to modern Dowa Holdings for the Nambu clan at the Kosaka mine. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became briefly part of Rikuchū Province before being transferred to Akita Prefecture in 1871. It was organized as part of Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture in 1878. The village of Kosaka was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on May 12, 1914.
Economy
The town prospered greatly as a mining center for gold, silver, copper and zinc in the Meiji period, and many modern buildings were built, including the Kosaka mining office. After the Second World War, mining resources were depleted and the town declined.
In recent years, he has been searching for ways to create a town that makes use of the modern architecture of the Meiji period and the tourism resources of Lake Towada. In addition to this, Dowa Holdings, the owner of the Kosaka Mine, is active in the metal recycling industry. In terms of light manufacturing, the Towada Audio Corporation, a manufacturer of shortwave radio sets, TV tuners and AC adapters in the Sony group, is based in Kosaka.
Education
Kosaka has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education.
Koraku-kan - the oldest operating, traditional Kabuki theatre in Japan. The Koraku-kan was made of all wood in 1910, and is stylistically a mix of western and traditional Japanese architecture. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2002.
Former head offices of Kosaka mine (National Important Cultural Property)
