is a village located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the village had an estimated population of 2,701 in 1083 households and a population density of 65 persons per km2. , the village had an estimated population of 2,903, and a population density of 78.3 persons per km2. Its total area is . The area has historically been associated with washi (traditional Japanese paper). Geography Higashichichibu is located in west-central Saitama Prefecture, in a valley isolated from the rest of the Chichibu plains by a range of low mountains. Surrounding municipalities Saitama Prefecture Chichibu Minano Yorii Ogawa Tokigawa Climate Higashichichibu has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Higashichichibu is 13.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1746 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 21.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around minus 1.2 °C. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Higashichichibu has declined steadily over the past 70 years. History The villages of Okawara and Tsukikawa were created within Chichibu District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The two villages merged to form Higashichichibu on August 1, 1956. Government Higashichichibu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of eight members. Higashichichibu, together with the towns of Ogano, Minano, Nagatoro and Yokoze, contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of Saitama 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The economy of Higashichichibu is primarily agricultural with some light manufacturing. It is increasingly a bedroom community due to its proximity to the town of Ogawa. Education Higashichichibu has one public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The village does not have a high school. Transportation Railway Higashichichibu has no passenger rail service. The nearest station is Yorii Station, in the neighboring town of Yorii or Ogawamachi Station in the town of Ogawa. Highway Higashichichibu is not served by any of the Japanese national highways. Sister city relation – Ambert, Auvergne, France, since October 23, 1989 – Sterling, Colorado, USA, since March 17, 1997 Local attractions Chichibu Washi no sato References External links Official website Villages in Saitama Prefecture