Ōma Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Ōma

大間町

Town

Sunrise in Ōma

Flag

Seal

Ōma

Location in Japan

Shimokita

Area

• Total

52.10 km² (20.12 sq mi)

Population

(January 31, 2023)

• Total

4,868

• Density

93.436/km² (242.00/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)

Phone number

0175-37-2111

Address

104 Ōma, Ōma-machi, Shimokita-gun, Aomori-ken 039-4692

Climate

Cfb


Symbols
Bird	Common gull
Flower	Rosa rugosa
Tree	Japanese black pine

Ōma town hall

Monument at the northernmost point of Honshū (Omazaki)

Ōma (pronounced Oh-mah, written as 大間町 in Japanese) is a small town located in Aomori, Japan. It's a special place known for its amazing natural beauty and famous tuna.

As of January 31, 2023, about 4,868 people live in Ōma. The town covers an area of about 52.10 square kilometers (20.12 square miles).

Geography: Where is Ōma Located?

Ōma is found on the northwestern coast of the Shimokita Peninsula in Japan. It faces the Tsugaru Strait, which is a body of water connecting two larger seas.

Northernmost Point of Honshū

One of the most exciting things about Ōma is Ōmazaki (大間崎). This cape is the northernmost point of Honshū, which is the largest island of Japan. Imagine standing at the very top of a big island!

Nature and Wildlife in Ōma

A large part of Ōma is inside the Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park. This means the area is protected because of its beautiful nature. In 2002, some of Ōma's coastal areas were named important wetlands. These wetlands are special because they have many different kinds of marine plants, especially various types of kelp.

Neighboring Towns and Cities

Ōma shares its borders with a few other places in Aomori Prefecture:

Mutsu
Sai
Kazamaura

Climate: What's the Weather Like in Ōma?

Ōma has a cool climate. Summers are short and not too hot, while winters are long and cold with strong winds. This type of weather is called an Oceanic climate (Cfb).

The average temperature in Ōma for the whole year is about 10.2 degrees Celsius (50.4 degrees Fahrenheit). August is usually the warmest month, with temperatures around 21.7 degrees Celsius (71.1 degrees Fahrenheit). January is the coldest, with temperatures around 0.0 degrees Celsius (32.0 degrees Fahrenheit).

Ōma gets about 1158.2 millimeters (45.6 inches) of rain each year. August is the month with the most rainfall.

History: How Ōma Became a Town

The area where Ōma is located has been lived in for a very long time. In the past, a group of people called the Emishi lived here.

During the Edo period (a time in Japanese history from 1603 to 1868), the area was controlled by the Nambu clan.

Becoming a Modern Town

On April 1, 1889, after a big change in Japan called the Meiji restoration, Ōoku Village was formed. This village was created by combining Ōma hamlet with a nearby place called Okudo hamlet. Later, on November 3, 1942, Ōoku Village was officially renamed Ōma Town.

Ōma in Movies and TV Shows

Ōma has been a popular spot for filming movies and TV dramas.

In 1983, the movie Gyōei no mure (魚影の群れ) was set in Ōma.
In 2000, a TV series called Watashi no Aoi Sora (私の青空) used Ōma as its setting.
Another TV series, Maguro (マグロ), was filmed in Ōma in 2007.

Government: How Ōma is Managed

Ōma has a type of government called a mayor-council system. This means the town has a mayor who is chosen by the people. There is also a town council with ten members. These council members are also elected by the people.

Ōma is part of Shimokita District. This district, along with the city of Mutsu, sends three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. This assembly helps make decisions for the whole Aomori Prefecture.

Economy: What Does Ōma Do for Work?

Traditionally, Ōma's economy has relied a lot on commercial fishing. The town is especially famous for its "black diamond" tuna.

Famous Ōma Tuna

Ōma tuna are caught in a special, traditional way. Fishermen use two-person boats and catch the tuna by hand. This tuna is so famous that it's sold under the "Ōma" brand. In January 2019, one Ōma tuna was sold for a record-breaking 333.6 million yen!

Besides tuna, other seafood products from Ōma include sea urchin roe, konbu (a type of seaweed), and squid.

Ōma Nuclear Power Plant

Ōma is also home to a nuclear power plant, the Ōma Nuclear Power Plant. This plant is special because it will use a type of fuel called MOX fuel.

Education: Schools in Ōma

Ōma has schools for children of different ages:

Two public elementary schools.
One public middle school.
One public high school, which is managed by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation: How to Get Around Ōma

No Passenger Trains

Ōma does not have its own passenger train service. The closest train station is Ōminato Station. This station is on the JR East Ōminato Line and is located in Mutsu City.

Highways for Driving

You can reach Ōma by car using these national routes:

Japan National Route 279
Japan National Route 338

Local Attractions: Fun Places to Visit in Ōma

Ōma has several interesting places to visit:

Ōmazaki: This is the northernmost point of Honshū island, a great spot for photos!
Ōmazaki Lighthouse: This lighthouse is one of Japan's "50 Lighthouses."
Ōma Onsen: A relaxing hot spring resort.
Akaishi Beach: A beautiful beach to enjoy the coast.

Sister Cities: Ōma's Friends Around the World

Ōma has special relationships with other cities, known as "sister cities."

In Japan

Hakodate, Hokkaidō

Overseas

Huwei, Yunlin, Taiwan

Noted People from Ōma

Hiroshi Izumi: A famous judo athlete who won a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Images for kids

From the Observation Deck of Seaside Cattle Park Oma (Municipal Tourist Ranch), you can see Oma Town, Tsugaru Strait, and Hokkaido. The central school building is Oma High School
Seaside Cattle Park Oma (Town Management Ranch)
Omazaki fishing port

Ōma facts for kids

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