Motoyama, Kōchi


[file:Motoyama List of towns in Japan|town hall.JPG|thumb|right|270px|Motoyama town hall]
[file:Sameura Dam.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Sameura Dam]
[file:Japan - Kochi Motoyama, july 2010 (4981093637).jpg|thumb|right|270px|central Motoyama]
Motoyama is a town located in Nagaoka District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 3‚318 in 1858 households and a population density of 25 persons per km2. The total area of the town is. Motoyama has been named one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.
WWW town.motoyama.kochi.jp

Geography

Motoyama is located in the Shikoku Mountains near the center of northern Kōchi Prefecture. The upper reaches of the Yoshino River and Shikoku's largest dam, the Sameura Dam are located in the town.

Neighbouring municipalities

Ehime Prefecture
Kōchi Prefecture

Climate

Motoyama has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters. There is significant precipitation throughout the year, especially during June and July. The average annual temperature in Motoyama 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. The highest temperature ever recorded in Motoyama was on 28 July 2007; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 16 January 2011.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Motoyama has declined by more than half over the past 60 years.

History

As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Motoyama was part of ancient Tosa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kōchi Castle. The village of Nishi-Motoyama was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889 out of 12 smaller hamlets. It was renamed Motoyama Village on June 1, 1890. Motoyama was raised to town status on June 1, 1910. On April 20, 1955, Motomachi merged with the neighboring town of Yoshino. However, on April 1, 1961, five western hamlets of Motomachi were transferred to the neighboring town of Tosa.

Government

Motoyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of ten members. Motoyama, together with the other municipalities of Tosa District and Nagaoka District, contributes one member to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of Kōchi 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Motoyama is based forestry, agriculture and the raising of Japanese Brown beef cattle.

Education

Motomachi has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Kochi Prefectural Board of Education

Transportation

Railway

Motoyama has no passenger railway service. The nearest station is Ōsugi Station on the JR Shikoku Dosan Line; however, most passengers travel to Kōchi Station by bus.

Highways

*

Sister cities

Local attractions

Events

  • Flower Festival March 25 – May 6
  • Asemi River Marathon late July
  • Yoshino River Rafting Festival middle of August
  • Town Festival middle of August
  • Athletic Festival early October
  • Autumn Culture Festival middle of November

Tourist sites

;Akadaki Falls
;Asemi River Glen
;Mount Kizen Park
;Mount Shiraga

Local products