Wake, Okayama
Template:Nihongo is a town located in Wake District, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Template:As of, the town had an estimated population of 13,833 in 6,353 households and a population density of 96 persons per km2.<ref name="Wake-hp">Template:Cite web</ref> The total area of the town is Template:Convert. The town is famous in the region for the 'Wamojiyaki' festival that takes place every year on August 15 during the Obon period, and the town is also home to the largest Wisteria park in Japan.
Geography
Wake is located in southeastern Okayama Prefecture. The Yoshii River and the Kongo River flow through the town, which is largely covered by hills and forests.The center of the town forms a small basin at the point where the Yoshii River and the Kongo River meet.
Adjoining municipalities
Climate
Wake has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Wake is Template:Convert. The average annual rainfall is Template:Cvt with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around Template:Convert, and lowest in January, at around Template:Convert.<ref name=normals/> The highest temperature ever recorded in Wake was Template:Cvt on 8 August 2016; the coldest temperature ever recorded was Template:Cvt on 9 January 2021.<ref name=extremes/>
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Wake in 2020 is 13,623 people.<ref name=zensus/> Wake has been conducting censuses since 1920.
Template:Historical populations
History
The Wake area is part of ancient Bizen Province. The important Nara period official Wake no Kiyomaro is from this area. During the Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of Okayama Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Wake was established within Wake District, Okayama with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on February 6, 1901. On March 1, 2006 Wake was officially merged with the neighboring town of Saeki, also from Wake District. The newly merged town retains the name 'Wake'.
Government
Wake has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 12 members. Wake, collectively with the city of Bizen, contributes two members to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Okayama 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The economy of Wake is based agriculture and food processing, and the cultivation of fruit trees such as grapes, apples, plums, and cherries.
Education
Wake has three public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the city government, as well as one public high school administered by the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education.
Elementary schools
- Wake Elementary School (和気小学校)
- Honjo Elementary School (本荘小学校)
- Saeki Elementary School (佐伯小学校)
Junior high schools
- Wake Junior High School (和気中学校)
- Saeki Junior High School (佐伯中学校)
High school
- Wake Shizutani High School (和気閑谷高等学校) – Operated by the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education
Events
Wake hosts several annual cultural events every year.
Wake Wisteria Festival
The **Wake Wisteria Festival** (和気藤まつり) is held each spring at the Wake Fuji Park, typically from mid to late April. The park is home to over 100 wisteria trees of various varieties, including long-hanging and multi-colored blossoms. During the festival, the park is illuminated in the evenings, attracting visitors from across the region. Food stalls, performances, and local crafts are also featured as part of the celebration.
Wake Wamonjiyaki
The **Wake Wamonjiyaki** (和気和文字焼き) is a traditional fire festival held in August. A large character "和" (wa, meaning "harmony") is set ablaze on a hillside overlooking the town. The event is held to pray for peace and community unity, and includes stage performances, fireworks, and local vendor stalls. The burning character is visible from various points in the town and serves as a symbolic gesture of shared identity and hope.
Transportation
Railway
File:JR logo (west).svg JR West (JR West) - San'yō Main Line
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Highways
Sister cities
- Template:Flagicon Jiading District, Shanghai, China, since July 31, 1989
- Template:Flagicon Hanna, Alberta, Canada, since March 31, 1993