high schools operated by the Akita Prefectural Board of Education. Transportation Railway East Japan Railway Company - Uetsu Main Line - - - - Highway Local attractions a thousand-year old temple in the south of Nikaho which was made famous by the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō's visit to the area in 1689. He wrote of the temple in his Oku no Hosomichi. a collection of clumps of land which used to be small islands until a major earthquake in 1804 submerged the sea around them. They were often compared to the similar small islands on the Pacific coast of Matsushima. , waterfall that is a National Place of Scenic Beauty . a long stretch of sandy beach in the south of Nikaho. An onsen (hot spring) located in the Nemunooka Roadside Station. The hot spring offers views of the Japan Sea coast. a children's museum in the north of Nikaho with many interactive exhibits which explores the different uses of ferrite. a memorial museum which focuses on the Antarctic Expedition by local explorer Shirase Nobu and includes a replica of Shirase's ship. a museum full of information and exhibits about the company TDK. TDK was founded by a local man Kenzō Saitō and there are many TDK factories and suppliers in the area. TDK Akita General Sports Center a group of sports facilities Parks in Nikaho a park surrounding a lake and ringed with cherry trees. It is especially attractive in late April and early May when the cherry trees start to bloom. a park in the foothills of Mount Chokai with a small lake, cherry trees and hydrangeas. a park which snakes along the coast on the border of Yamagata and Akita Prefectures. a plateau in the foothills of Mount Chokai with splendid views of the area. Local events Fireworks A fireworks festival is held each year over three nights in each of the former towns of Nikaho City. This religious event takes place in February in which cod are carried from the Konoura fishing port to a local Shinto shrine. one of the top triathlon events in the Japanese calendar. a mountain bike race around the base of Mount Chōkai. Mount Chōkai Mount Chōkai is an inactive volcano which stands alone on the border between Akita Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. It is 2236 metres high and is the second highest mountain in the Tōhoku area. It is popular