Kurihara, Miyagi
Kurihara is a city in Miyagi Prefecture, in Japan’s Tohoku region. It lies in the northwestern part of the prefecture. The city covers about 805 square kilometers and has around 66,500 residents. It was formed on April 1, 2005, by uniting ten towns and one village: Ichihasama, Kannari, Kurikoma, Semine, Shiwahime, Takashimizu, Tsukidate, Uguisuzawa, Wakayanagi, Hanayama. The city hall is in Tsukidate.
Most of Kurihara is rice farmland with small mountains, including Mount Kurikoma, the area’s highest peak. Part of Kurikoma Quasi-National Park lies here. In summer, Izunuma Lake is famous for lotus flowers; in fall, the leaves around Mount Kurikoma turn colors; in winter, swans and geese visit the lakes.
The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers around 24–25°C and cold winters near freezing. Snow varies by elevation.
Historically, the area was part of ancient Mutsu Province and has been settled since the Jōmon period. It was ruled by various clans, then by the Date clan in the Edo period. The modern Kurihara District was created in 1889. Mines in the mountains, especially the Hosokura mine, were once important but closed in 1987. Kurihara became a city in 2005.
Today, the economy is mainly agriculture, especially rice. Mining no longer plays a major role. The population has been declining since around 1950.
Kurihara has a mayor-council government and a 26-member city legislature. It sends two members to the Miyagi Prefectural Legislature and is part of Miyagi’s 5th district for national elections.
Attractions include Abazu Gorge, Shiraito Falls, Gorindoyama Park, Hasama River Park, Sanno Historic Park, and iris gardens. Hot springs such as Yu-no-Kura, Yubama, Hanayama, and Nuruyu are popular. In summer, lotus blooms on Izunuma Lake; in autumn, the region shows colorful fall foliage around Mount Kurikoma.
Symbols: Flower is Nikkōkisuge; Tree is Kousa Dogwood.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:04 (CET).