Sai, Aomori

Sai 佐井村
Village
Hotokegaura
Flag Seal
Location of Sai in Aomori Prefecture
Sai
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Aomori
District	Shimokita
Area
• Total	135.03 km2 (52.14 sq mi)
Population (September 2014)
• Total	2,229
• Density	16.5/km2 (43/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Chamaecyparis
- Flower	Lilium
- Bird	Osprey
Phone number	0175-38-2111
Address	20 Nukamori, Sai-mura, Shimokita-gu, Aomori-ken 039-4711
Website	Official website

Sai (佐井村, Sai-mura) is a village located in Shimokita District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of September 2014, the village had an estimated population of 2,229 and a population density of 16.5 persons per km². Its total area was 135.03 km².

Geography

Sai occupies the western coastline of Shimokita Peninsula, facing the inlet to Mutsu Bay from the Tsugaru Strait. The village has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. Much of the village is within the limits of the Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park. The mountainous area is home to many indigenous plant and animal species. Wildlife includes Japanese Macaque monkeys, kamoshika, tanuki and Asian black bears.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Mutsu
• Ōma

History

The area around Sai was inhabited by the Emishi people until the historical period. During the Edo period, it was controlled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain and prospered due to its timber industry and as a ferry terminal to Ezo. During the cadastral reform of 1889, Sai Village was proclaimed from the merger of Sai hamlet with neighboring Chōgō hamlet.

Economy

The economy of Sai is heavily dependent on agriculture, forestry and fishing. Some of the locally caught seafood include sea urchin roe, sea pineapple, sea cucumber, scallops, abalone and squid. Sai also has a shiitake farm that sells to local markets.

Transportation

Highway

• Japan National Route 338

Tourist attractions

• Hotokegaura, a series of naturally-carved cliff rock formations
• Yagen Onsen, a hot spring resort
• Gankake is a large boulder by the sea that attracts people in the summer due to the view from the top. It is a popular swimming spot and has cabins nearby.

Events

• September, Sai Matsuri with floats pulled by the locals, during which Kagura is performed and Shinto priests bless the village houses
• November, Sai Culture Festival, during which different variations of festival songs and kagura are performed at the community center.
• February, Fukuura village puts on a kabuki show. It features northern styles of kabuki.
• June, Sai has a sea urchin roe festival.

Noted people from Sai

• Gōtarō Mikami – physician and Japanese Red Cross supporter during the Russo-Japanese War

External links

• (Japanese) Sai official website
• (Japanese) Sai Tourism home page
• (Japanese) Chamber of Commerce home page