Ugo, town in Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Ugo is a small town in southern Akita located on a broad plain surrounded by mountains on two sides. The area consists mostly of hilly terrain with a flat farming zone filled with rice fields and traditional houses throughout the town center.
Ugo was part of the historical Ugo Province during the Meiji era and is today the only town in Akita that kept this name. The region's development began with Ogachi Castle built in 759, marking the start of its importance as a settlement.
The name Ugo comes from a historical province and remains visible in local names throughout the town. Residents practice traditional crafts including indigo-dyed cloth and dolls for festivals, which you can see displayed in homes and shops as part of daily life.
Ugo has no train station or highway, so visitors typically arrive by car or bus on local routes through mountains and farmland. The roads are quiet and offer clear views of nature along the way to the town.
Ugo rejected a government plan in 2002 to merge with larger cities and instead chose to remain independent. This choice reflects the town's commitment to preserving its own identity and way of life.
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