Takaharu (高原町, Takaharu-chō) is a town located in Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 November 2023, the town had an estimated population of 8137 in 3648 households, and a population density of 101.3 persons per km2. [1] The total area of the town is 85.39 km2 (32.97 sq mi).

Takaharu
高原町
Takaharu Town Hall
Takaharu Town Hall
Flag of Takaharu
Official seal of Takaharu
Map
Location of Takaharu in Miyazaki Prefecture
Location of Takaharu
Takaharu is located in Japan
Takaharu
Takaharu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 31°55′42″N 131°00′28″E / 31.92833°N 131.00778°E / 31.92833; 131.00778
Country Japan
RegionKyūshū
Prefecture Miyazaki
DistrictNishimorokata
Government
 • MayorTsunenobu Kōzuma
Area
 • Total
85.39 km2 (32.97 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2023)
 • Total
813
 • Density101.3/km2 (262/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Postal code
889-4492
ClimateCfa
Phone number0984-42-2111
Address899 Nishifumoto, Takaharu-chō, Nishimorokata-gun, Miyazaki-ken
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdEurystomus orientalis
FlowerRhododendron obtusum
TreeCitrus tachibana
Takachiho-mine (1574 m) and Lake Miike

Geography

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Takaharu is located in the southwestern part of Miyazaki Prefecture, approximately 40 kilometers west of the prefectural capital at Miyazaki City, and borders Kagoshima Prefecture on the west. Located at the foot of the Kirishima volcanic group, approximately 50% of the town area is a highland area, and the remaining 50% is a mountain forest.

Surrounding municipalities

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Kagoshima Prefecture

Miyazaki Prefecture

Climate

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Takaharu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Takaharu is 15.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2295 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.4 °C.[2]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Takaharu has declined in recent decades.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 9,006—    
1930 10,690+18.7%
1940 11,837+10.7%
1950 16,144+36.4%
1960 15,767−2.3%
1970 12,798−18.8%
1980 12,579−1.7%
1990 11,984−4.7%
2000 11,254−6.1%
2010 10,000−11.1%
2020 8,646−13.5%
Takaharu population statistics[3]

History

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The area of Takaharu was part of ancient Hyūga Province, and during the Edo period was completely within the borders of Satsuma Domain. In 1871, with the abolition of the han system, the area was incorporated into Kagoshima Prefecture, but was later transferred to Miyazaki Prefecture. The village Takaharu within Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Takaharu was raised to town status on October 5, 1934.

Government

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Takaharu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of ten members. Takaharu, collectively with the cities of Ebino and Kobayashi, contributes two members to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Miyazaki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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The local economy is overwhelmingly centered on agriculture and forestry.

Education

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Takaharu has four public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town. The town no longer has a high school.

Transportation

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Railways

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  JR Kyushu - Kitto Line

Highways

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Local attractions

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References

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  1. ^ "Takaharu Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Takaharu climate: Average Temperature, weather by month
  3. ^ a b Takaharu population statistics
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