Kawamata, Fukushima

Kawamata
川俣町
View of Kawamata Town
Location of Kawamata in Fukushima Prefecture
Kawamata
 
Coordinates: 37°39′54″N 140°35′54″E / 37.66500°N 140.59833°E / 37.66500; 140.59833
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
DistrictDate
Government
  MayorMichio Furukawa
Area
  Total
127.70 km2 (49.31 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2020)
  Total
12,917
  Density100/km2 (260/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
– TreeMaple
– FlowerMountain Azalea
– BirdJapanese bush warbler
Phone number024-566-2111
Address3-0 Gohyakuda, Kawamata-machi, Date-gun, Fukushima-ken 969–1392
WebsiteOfficial website

Kawamata (川俣町, Kawamata-machi) is a town in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2020, the town had an estimated population of 12917 in 5414 households, and a population density of 110 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 127.7 square kilometres (49.3 sq mi).

Kawamata is known for its production of silk and silk products. In the late 6th century, Ōtomo no Koteko, also known as Otehime, came to this area. According to tradition, she is honored for having encouraged silk farming in the area. The town is also known for the raising of shamo, a special breed of game bird similar to chicken. Shamo ramen is a local speciality.

Kawamata's main annual event is the Cosquín en Japón festival, a three-day celebration of traditional Argentinian music and dance, which is held each year in October.