Minowa (箕輪町, Minowa-machi) is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019[update], the town had an estimated population of 25,051 in 9737 households,[1] and a population density of 290 persons per km². The total area of the town is 85.91 square kilometres (33.17 sq mi).
Geography
Minowa is located in the Ina Valley of south-central Nagano Prefecture, bordered by the Kiso Mountains to the north. The Tenryū River flows through the town. Minowa Dam is located in the town.
Climate
The town has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Minowa is 11.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1342 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.0 °C.[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Minowa has recently plateaued after several decades of growth.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1940
14,161
—
1950
19,134
+35.1%
1960
17,485
−8.6%
1970
16,744
−4.2%
1980
19,729
+17.8%
1990
22,651
+14.8%
2000
25,661
+13.3%
2010
26,221
+2.2%
2020
24,989
−4.7%
History
The area of present-day Minowa was part of ancient Shinano Province. The villages of Nakaminowa, Minowa and Higashiminowa were established on April 1, 1889 by the establishment of the modern municipalities system, Nakaminowa was elevated to town status on November 3, 1948. Nakaminowa, Minowa and Higashiminowa merged to form the town of Minowa on January 1, 1955.
Education
Minowa has five public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one high school operated the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.
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