Welcome to Iwamizawa.

This English guide has been created to assist foreign residents with life in Iwamizawa. We are intent on making our city an environment in which residents can enjoy fulfilling lives regardless of language or cultural background.

Valuable information regarding emergencies, resources, and support are included in this guide, in the hope that it can aid in comfortable life in our city.

Once again, we warmly welcome you.

Today, agriculture is the main industry in the area, with emphasis on crops such as onions and other row crops in addition to rice. This agricultural diversity, along with growth in the service and consumer goods sectors, and the development of public and educational institutions, has given stability to the regional economy.

It is said that Iwamizawa got its name from labourers constructing railroads in the area as far back as the 1880’s. These labourers would often go to a nearby river to bathe and relax, and they began calling the area Yuamisawa, or “The Bath-Taking River”. Over time, the pronunciation changed to “Iwamizawa,” but to this day the surrounding rivers remain important natural assets. 

Iwamizawa has made the dream of “Making A New Home Town” a reality. Numerous parks, recreational facilities, traditional shrines, and local festivals reflect the deeply rooted cultural values of the people and their commitment to and respect for the environment.

Until the 1890’s, the neighboring communities of Kurisawa and Kita had been part of Iwamizawa, but had since separated. Over 100 years later on March 27^th, 2006, they were reincorporated into Iwamizawa city.

In 1985, Iwamizawa signed a sister-city agreement with the U.S. city of Pocatello, Idaho. A second sister-city agreement was established by the town of Kurisawa with the U.S. city of Canby, Oregon in 1989.