is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 46,888 in 21,332 households, and a population density of 78 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography Hokuto is located in far northwest Yamanashi Prefecture. Most of the area of the city is elevated highland and forested, with one third of the city located on the alpine southeastern slopes of Mount Yatsugatake, With a cooler alpine climate in summer, smaller towns such as Kiyosato are a popular location for second homes. Neighboring municipalities Climate The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Hokuto is 11.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1296 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.0 °C. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Hokuto has remained relatively stable over the past 50 years. History During the Edo period, all of Kai Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate. During the cadastral reform of the early Meiji period on April 1, 1889, the rural district of Kitakoma was formed. The modern city of Hokuto was established on November 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Hakushū, Nagasaka, Sutama and Takane, and the villages of Akeno, Mukawa and Ōizumi (all from Kitakoma District). On March 15, 2006, Hokuto absorbed the town of Kobuchisawa (also from Kitakoma District). Kitakoma District was dissolved as a result of this merger. Government Hokuto has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. Economy The economy of Hokuto is primarily agricultural, with seasonal tourism, precision manufacturing and food processing playing secondary roles. Education Teikyo-Gakuen Junior College Hokuto has eight public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Yamanashi Prefectural Board of Education. Transportation Railway Central Japan Railway Company - Chūō Main Line - - Central Japan Railway Company - Koumi Line - - - Highway Chūō Expressway Sister cities - Fukuroi, Shizuoka – since March 9, 1987 between former Asaba, Shizuoka and former Akeno, Yamanashi - Joetsu, Niigata – since January 17, 1991 between former