Shiwa District

Shiwa District is an administrative area in Iwate Prefecture comprised of two main towns, Shiwa and Yahaba, situated across a landscape of rolling hills and agricultural land. The two communities serve as the economic and social centers, housing local services and facilities that support everyday life in the region.

The district emerged during the Heian period as one of the administrative divisions in northern Mutsu Province following the expansion into the Kitakami River Valley. During the Edo period, the area was split between two feudal domains, shaping how the region developed and was governed for centuries.

The district maintains records of population distribution across age groups, with 17,458 residents aged 65 and above contributing to local community activities.

The district is organized around two main towns connected by local roads across a rural landscape. Visitors benefit from having their own transportation to explore the region at their own pace and reach various points of interest scattered throughout the area.

The district underwent territorial changes through feudal control, transitioning from 71 villages under Morioka Domain and 4 under Hachinohe Domain during the Tokugawa period.