Obanazawa, Yamagata

Obanazawa 尾花沢市
City
Ginzan Onsen in the snow
Flag Seal
Location of Obanazawa in Yamagata Prefecture
Obanazawa
Coordinates: 38°36′N 140°24′E / 38.600°N 140.400°E / 38.600; 140.400Coordinates: 38°36′N 140°24′E / 38.600°N 140.400°E / 38.600; 140.400
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Yamagata
Area
• Total	373.32 km2 (144.14 sq mi)
Population (October 2013)
• Total	17,756
• Density	47.7/km2 (124/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Japanese Zelkova
- Flower	Azalea
Phone number	0237-22-1111
Address	1-1-3 Wakabachō, Obanazawa-shi, Yamagata-ken 999-4292
Website	Official website

Obanazawa (尾花沢市, Obanazawa-shi^?) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 2013, the city had an estimated population of 17,756 and a population density of 47.7 persons per km². The total area was 372.32 square kilometres (144 sq mi).

Obanazawa is located in a mountain valley northeast Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by the Mogami River to the west and the Ōu Mountains to the east.

Obanazawa has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

The area of present-day Obanazawa was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitamurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The modern village of Obanazawa was established on April 1, 1889, and was raised to town status on July 26, 1897. It was made a city on April 10, 1959.

Obanazawa is the origin of one version of the Dontsuki song, the 'Hanagasa Dance Song,' a song sung in many parts of Yamagata Prefecture.

The economy of Obanazawa is based on agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, Obanazawa is best known for its watermelons.