Asago, Mountain city in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Asago is a city in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture that spreads across several mountain valleys and connects forested slopes with rice paddies and settlements. The city shows a loose structure with four main centers separated by narrow roads and river courses.
The city was formed by merging four towns in 2005 to create a shared administration for the wide mountain region. For centuries the population relied on silver mining and later on farming, until the mines closed during the 20th century.
The name Asago comes from an old place name in the region and is now used by residents for the entire city area. Many villages preserve their traditional wooden houses with dark roof tiles, while inhabitants continue to hold local festivals and shrine ceremonies.
The different parts of the city lie several kilometers apart, so a car is useful for visits. Municipal offices and local facilities are mostly found in Wadayama, while other areas remain quiet residential neighborhoods.
The ruins of Takeda Castle on a mountain summit attract photographers who arrive early in the morning to observe the sea of clouds. This cloud phenomenon forms on autumn nights when cold air in the valley meets warmer layers.
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