Katsurao, Fukushima facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katsurao 葛尾村
Village
Flag Seal
Location of Katsurao in Fukushima Prefecture
Katsurao Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Fukushima
District	Futaba
Area
• Total	84.37 km2 (32.58 sq mi)
Population  (April 1, 2020)
• Total	1,387
• Density	16.439/km2 (42.578/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9

Katsurao is a peaceful village found in Fukushima Prefecture on the island of Japan. It sits within the beautiful green hills of the Tōhoku area. Official records listed the village population at 1,387 people living in 475 homes. The overall population density was around 16 people per square kilometer. Its whole land area covers about 84.37 square kilometers.

People love this community for its calm mountain views, lovely trees, and rich heritage. The official village tree is the Japanese red pine, known scientifically as Pinus densiflora. The village flower is the bright Azalea, which blooms with stunning colors. Its village bird is the colorful Green pheasant, which hides among tall grasses.

Discovering the Geography and Climate of Katsurao

Katsurao sits high up on the Abukuma Plateau in the central part of Fukushima. Most of the village sits at an elevation of more than 500 meters. The cool mountain air helps create lovely scenery in every direction.

Nearby Towns and Boundaries

The village shares borders with several other friendly Japanese communities:

• Namie touches the borders of Katsurao to the east.
• Nihonmatsu lies right along its western edge.
• Tamura sits right next door toward the southwest.

Weather and Seasons

The village experiences a humid climate known by science experts as a Köppen climate classification Cfa type. Winters can get chilly, while summers feel warm, pleasant, and green. The average yearly temperature in Katsurao is around 10.4 degrees Celsius. The warmest month is August, where temperatures climb to about 23 degrees Celsius. The coldest month is January, dipping slightly below freezing to -0.7 degrees Celsius. Katsurao receives about 1,374 millimeters of precipitation each year. September is usually the rainiest month of the entire year.

Exploring the Long History of Katsurao Village

People have lived in the area around Katsurao for thousands of years. Long ago, this region formed a section of ancient Mutsu Province. Archaeologists have discovered old earth mounds called kofun from the famous Kofun period. These big ancient mounds show that important leaders lived here long ago.

Later on, during the Nara period, the land belonged to the historic Iwaki Province. Century after century, families farmed the land and lived in harmony with nature. During the famous Edo period, powerful samurai ruled the area. Katsurao belonged to the Sōma Domain, led by leaders of the Sōma clan.

Japan modernized quickly after the historic Meiji restoration changed how the nation ran. On April 1, 1889, leaders officially established Katsurao within the local Futaba District.

What Happened During the 2011 Nuclear Disaster?

In March 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck northern Japan. This historic event was named the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Although the shaking did not destroy Katsurao, strong winds caused serious safety troubles. The village sat downwind from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The plant had an accident known as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Government officials cared about safety and ordered everyone to evacuate by May 2011. Even though Katsurao sat outside the 20-kilometer zone, winds had carried invisible radiation there. In March 2013, the government divided the village into three safety zones. Leaders worked hard cleaning up soil, washing buildings, and checking roads for years.

On June 12, 2016, leaders finally lifted the evacuation order for most areas. Families were allowed to come back and live in their homes again. However, mountainous zones bordering Namie stayed restricted for safety checks. Rebuilding took lots of patience, teamwork, and love from the community.

Village Life, Schooling, and Getting Around

For generations, the economy of Katsurao depended on hardworking families who practiced agriculture. Farmers grew fresh vegetables, tended peaceful rice paddies, and raised cattle in pastures. Today, locals work hard to revitalize their farms and bring back traditional businesses.

Before the evacuation, Katsurao operated one public elementary school and one junior high. Children studied together in cozy classrooms surrounded by lush mountain forests. Katsurao never built its own high school, so older teens traveled nearby. Reopening schools and community centers helped welcome new and returning families back home.

Traveling through the area is simple by car using scenic roads. There are no passenger train stations located inside the village borders. Drivers and buses mainly travel along National Route 399 to reach neighboring towns and cities. Katsurao remains a peaceful symbol of hope, rebuilding, and natural beauty.

See also

In Spanish: Katsurao (Fukushima) para niños