Kawai [village] - Kawai

Japanese: 川井[村] - かわい

A village in Shimohei County, central Iwate Prefecture. Population 4,107 (1995). Located in the center of the Kitakami Highlands, the area is widely dotted with steep mountains, including Mt. Hayachine on the southwestern border. The Hei River flows east through the center, collecting many tributaries, and the JR Yamada Line runs through the valley. Agriculture and forestry are the main industries, with livestock, tobacco, wasabi, and highland vegetables being cultivated. The town has a particularly long history of beef cattle breeding, and is also the birthplace of shorthorn wagyu beef. In terms of forestry, the Japanese cypress at the foot of Mt. Hayachine is famous. Mt. Hayachine, the highest peak in the Kitakami Highlands, is known as a treasure trove of alpine plants and has been designated a prefectural natural park.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

岩手県中央部，下閉伊（しもへい）郡の村。人口4107(1995)。北上高地の中央部にあり，南西境の早池峰（はやちね）山をはじめ急峻な山々が広く分布する。中央部を閉伊川が多くの支流を集めて東流し，谷間をJR山田線が通る。農林業が主体で，畜産，タバコ，ワサビ，高冷地野菜の栽培が行われる。特に肉牛飼育の歴史は古く，短角和牛の原産地でもある。林業では早池峰山麓のヒバが有名。北上高地最高峰の早池峰山は高山植物の宝庫として知られ，県立自然公園に指定されている。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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