Nagatoro, Saitama

Nagatoro is a town located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 6,838 in 2894 households and a population density of 220 persons per km². The total area of the town is. The Nagatoro River is well known for its rapids and whitewater rafting and boating, and the entire town is designated as a prefectural nature park and preserve.

Geography

Located in the mountains of western Saitama Prefecture, Nagatoro is on the upper reaches of the Arakawa River.

Surrounding municipalities

Nagatoro has a humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nagatoro is 12.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2222 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 1.6 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Nagatoro has declined modestly in recent decades.

History

The village of Nagami was created within Chichibu District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, and was elevated to town status on February 15, 1940. The town absorbed neighboring Higuchi and part of Shiratori villages on September 8, 1943, and changed its name to Nagatoro on November 1, 1971. In February 1955, the town expanded by annexing the neighboring villages of Orihara, Hachigata, Obusuma, and Yodo.

Government

Nagatoro has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of ten members. Nagatoro, together with the towns of Higashichichibu, Minano, Ogano and Yokoze, contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Saitama 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.