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Ōtsuchi, Japan

Iwate · Japan

Ōtsuchi is a small city in Iwate, Japan with a population of 11,572. Elevation: 16 ft (5 m). Average temperature: 50°F (10°C).

Data updated June 2026

4.1 /5.0
A Great
11,572 Population 150/sq mi density
16 ft Elevation 5 meters
50°F Avg Temperature 10°C
54.7 in Annual Rain
Asia / Tokyo Timezone
$26,100 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$26,100 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$64,000 home value, $320/mo rent

Discover Ōtsuchi, Japan

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

People

Population11,572
Median Age51.2 yrs
Density150/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$26,100
Unemployment2.5%

Housing

A+
Home Value$64,000
Rent$320
Housing Units4,629

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
Rain54.7 in/yr
Sunny Days237/yr
Elevation16 ft (5 m)
Population11,572
Population Density150 / sq mi
Elevation16 ft (5 m)
Coordinates39.3667°, 141.9000°
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Country🇯🇵 Japan
State / ProvinceIwate
Average Temperature50°F (10°C)
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Annual Precipitation54.7 inches (1,390 mm)
Annual Snowfall4.1 inches (10 cm)
Median Household Income$26,100
Median Age51.2 years

About Ōtsuchi

Ōtsuchi is a small city in Japan (Iwate) with a population of 11,572. The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet (5 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 50°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 31°F in January to 68°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 54.7 inches. The timezone is Asia/Tokyo.

Ōtsuchi has a population of 11,572 with a density of 150 people per square mile, spread across 77.4 square miles. The median age is 51.2 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

11,572
Total Population
150
People / sq mi
51.2yrs
Median Age
32% above Japan avg
77.4mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Ōtsuchi vs Japan Average

The median household income in Ōtsuchi is $26,100, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 370 business establishments.

Income: Ōtsuchi vs Japan

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,100
65% below Japan avg

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below Japan avg
Establishments (County)370

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Ōtsuchi is $64,000, 77% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $320 (72% below the national average of $1,163). There are 4,629 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.5x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$64,000
77% below Japan avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$320
72% below Japan avg

Ownership & Property

Housing Units4,629

Property Tax

Climate in Ōtsuchi

Ōtsuchi has an average annual temperature of 11.1°C (52°F). The hottest month is Aug (22.6°C), the coldest is Jan (0.8°C). Average annual precipitation is 1330 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 0.8°C / 33°F -3.5° / 5° 68.4
Feb 1°C / 34°F -3.6° / 5.6° 63.0
Mar 3.8°C / 39°F -1° / 8.7° 89.1
Apr 9.1°C / 48°F 3.8° / 14.4° 83.1
May 13.6°C / 56°F 8.7° / 18.4° 90.0
Jun 16.8°C / 62°F 12.9° / 20.7° 130.0
Jul 20.6°C / 69°F 17.1° / 24.1° 155.3
Aug 22.6°C / 73°F 19° / 26.1° 189.1
Sep 19.4°C / 67°F 15.5° / 23.3° 207.2
Oct 13.8°C / 57°F 9° / 18.7° 142.3
Nov 8.2°C / 47°F 2.9° / 13.5° 62.7
Dec 3°C / 37°F -1.5° / 7.5° 49.8
Ōtsuchi experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 237 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 54.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below Japan avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days237 days/yr

Geography

Elevation16 ft (5 m)
Area77.4 sq mi (200.4 km²)
Population Density150/sq mi
Coordinates39.3667°N, 141.9000°W
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.7"
44% above Japan avg
Snowfall 4.1"
Wettest Month (Sep) 8.23"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.85"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

2,900 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M9.1. Most recent: M4.7 on Aug 30, 2025.

Mar 11, 2011 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake, Japan M9.1 126 km
Mar 9, 2011 120 km SE of ?funato, Japan M7.3 132 km
Apr 7, 2011 29 km ESE of Ishinomaki, Japan M7.1 124 km
Jan 6, 1995 63 km ESE of Hachinohe, Japan M7.0 101 km
May 26, 2003 27 km SSW of ?funato, Japan M7.0 64 km
Mar 20, 2021 30 km E of Ishinomaki, Japan M7.0 104 km
Jun 13, 2008 24 km WSW of Mizusawa, Japan M6.9 96 km
Jul 18, 1992 118 km E of Yamada, Japan M6.9 123 km
May 1, 2021 30 km SSE of Onagawa Ch?, Japan M6.9 132 km
Jul 23, 2008 29 km ENE of Morioka, Japan M6.8 61 km
May 12, 2015 32 km SE of ?funato, Japan M6.8 53 km
Jun 22, 2011 41 km NNE of Miyako, Japan M6.7 70 km
Mar 11, 2011 134 km ESE of Kamaishi, Japan M6.7 134 km
Feb 16, 2015 83 km ENE of Miyako, Japan M6.7 100 km
Sep 16, 2011 99 km NE of Miyako, Japan M6.7 126 km
Mar 11, 2011 50 km ESE of ?tsuchi, Japan M6.6 50 km
Dec 2, 2001 3 km NW of Hanamaki, Japan M6.5 70 km
Mar 9, 2011 128 km SE of ?funato, Japan M6.5 143 km
Jul 18, 1992 92 km E of Yamada, Japan M6.4 97 km
Nov 3, 2002 30 km SE of ?funato, Japan M6.4 54 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

11 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 3. Most recent: Jebi (2024).

Year Name Category Closest
2024 Jebi Category 1 258 km
2019 Faxai Category 1 236 km
2019 Hagibis Category 1 130 km
2004 Ma-on Category 2 222 km
2002 Higos Category 1 133 km
2000 Kirogi Category 1 83 km
2000 Sonamu Category 1 225 km
1998 Vicki Category 1 88 km
1996 Violet Category 1 211 km
1995 Oscar Category 3 245 km
1993 Vernon Category 1 243 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tsunami History

20 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 39.3 m (129 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2011 HONSHU ISLAND Earthquake 39.3 m 18,423 126 km
1861 OFF MIYAGI Earthquake 3.9 m - 97 km
2008 ARATOZAWA, JAPAN Eruption + Earthquake 2.5 m 23 96 km
1846 SANRIKU Earthquake 2.0 m - 54 km
1960 SANRIKU Earthquake 1.0 m - 137 km
1915 SANRIKU Earthquake 1.0 m - 147 km
1897 SANRIKU Earthquake 1.0 m - 141 km
1968 SANRIKU Earthquake 1.0 m - 103 km
1989 JAPAN Earthquake 0.9 m - 90 km
1936 SANRIKU Earthquake 0.7 m - 132 km
2011 HONSHU ISLAND Earthquake 0.6 m - 132 km
1978 SANRIKU Earthquake 0.6 m 28 131 km
1901 OFF NORTHEAST COAST HONSHU Earthquake 0.6 m - 136 km
1912 SANRIKU Earthquake 0.5 m - 126 km
1928 SANRIKU Earthquake 0.5 m - 132 km
1981 E. HONSHU ISLAND Earthquake 0.4 m - 109 km
1992 HONSHU ISLAND Earthquake 0.3 m - 123 km
1960 SANRIKU Earthquake 0.3 m - 116 km
2015 HONSHU Earthquake 0.3 m - 100 km
1901 OFF NORTHEAST COAST HONSHU Earthquake 0.3 m 18 141 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

12 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Iwatesan (94 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Iwatesan Complex 2,038 m (6,686 ft) 1919 94 km
Akita-Komagatake Stratovolcano(es) 1,637 m (5,371 ft) 1971 104 km
Kurikomayama Stratovolcano 1,627 m (5,338 ft) 1950 106 km
Hachimantai Stratovolcano 1,613 m (5,292 ft) -5350 111 km
Akita-Yakeyama Stratovolcano 1,366 m (4,482 ft) 1997 118 km
Naruko Caldera 470 m (1,542 ft) 837 123 km
Towada Caldera 1,011 m (3,317 ft) 915 154 km
Chokaisan Stratovolcano(es) 2,236 m (7,336 ft) 1974 162 km
Hakkodasan Stratovolcano(es) 1,585 m (5,200 ft) 1550 168 km
Zaozan [Zaosan] Complex 1,841 m (6,040 ft) 1940 186 km
Megata Maar(s) 291 m (955 ft) -2050 197 km
Iwakisan Stratovolcano 1,625 m (5,331 ft) 1863 198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-1°C) 1.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 31°F (-1°C) 2.3 in
March 36°F (2°C) 3.2 in
April 46°F (8°C) 4.5 in
May 55°F (13°C) 4.9 in
June 61°F (16°C) 5.6 in
July 68°F (20°C) 6.4 in
August 71°F (22°C) 6.5 in Warmest
September 64°F (18°C) 8.2 in Wettest
October 54°F (12°C) 5.9 in
November 45°F (7°C) 3.2 in
December 36°F (2°C) 2.2 in

Ōtsuchi has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 54.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (8.2") and January the driest (1.9").

View full weather details →

Schools in Ōtsuchi

19 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
旧橋野小学校 - - - -
Kirikiri Elementary School - - - -
町立大槌学園 - - - -
市立箱崎白浜へき地保育所 - - - -
釜石市立東中学校仮設校舎 - - - -
釜石市立東中学校仮設校舎 - - - -
釜石市立鵜住居小学校仮設校舎 - - - -
釜石市立鵜住居小学校仮設校舎 - - - -
仮設体育館 - - - -
旧橋野小学校体育館 - - - -
Kirikiri Junior High School - - - -
釜石市立鵜住居小学校・東中学校【仮設】 - - - -
市立栗林小学校 - - - -
町立小鎚小学校 - - - -
岩手県立大槌高等学校 - - - -
市立釜石東中学校 - - - -
市立鵜住居小学校 - - - -
釜石市立東中学校【仮設】 - - - -
釜石市立鵜住居小学校【仮設】 - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Ōtsuchi

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Ōtsuchi

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Iron and Steel History Museum
Tsunami Memorial Hall
栗橋ふるさと伝承館
釜石市郷土資料館
鯨と海の科学館

Libraries in Ōtsuchi

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
大槌町立図書館0.0
山田町ふれあいセンター「はぴね」0.0

Farmers Markets in Ōtsuchi

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
山田魚市場
釜石魚市場

Hotels in Ōtsuchi

3 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Sanriku Hana Hotel Hamagiku
三陸の宿 蔵
宝来館

Restaurants in Ōtsuchi

6 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

きりきり善兵衛
きりきり善兵衛
ごはんやかあちゃん
さんずろ家
ときしらず
三代目たまり屋

Cafes in Ōtsuchi

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

夢宇民

Train Stations in Ōtsuchi

4 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Kirikiri
Namiita-Kaigan
Otsuchi
Unosumai

Gas Stations in Ōtsuchi

3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

JP #1070947379
花川石油店
赤武石油ガス

Banks in Ōtsuchi

1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

JA いわて花巻　鵜住居支店

Breweries in Ōtsuchi

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Hujiyu Brewery
藤勇醸造株式会社

Stadiums & Teams in Ōtsuchi

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Ōtsuchi

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Akabane Ski Resort 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Ōtsuchi

1 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Yamatanigawa Auxiliary Airfield-Small Airport

Post Offices in Ōtsuchi

12 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Akahama Summary Post Office
Hakozaki Summary Post Office
Kanazawa Summary Post Office
Katagishi Summary Post Office
Kirikiri Post Office
Kuribayashi Summary Post Office
Kurihashi Post Office
Namiita Summary Post Office
Ozuchi Post Office
Ozuchi Sakuragicho Summary Post Office
Shinkawara Summary Post Office
Unozumai Post Office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Ōtsuchi

10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Kamaishi Memorial Park
三貫島神社
八幡神社
千手布引観音堂
吉祥寺
常楽寺
盲神
箱崎庵寺
郷社小鎚神社
鵜住神社

Quick Facts

Timezone
Asia/Tokyo

🇯🇵 About Japan

Capital Tokyo
Population 126,529,100
Area 377,835 km²
GDP (USD) $4,213,167,237,906
GDP per capita $33,836
HDI 0.925
Life expectancy 84.0 years
Internet users 87.0%
Urban population 92.1%
Currency JPY (Yen)
Languages Japanese
Calling code +81
TLD .jp
Driving side left

Public Holidays in Japan

16 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day 元日
Jan 12 Coming of Age Day 成人の日
Feb 11 Foundation Day 建国記念の日
Feb 23 The Emperor's Birthday 天皇誕生日
Mar 20 Vernal Equinox Day 春分の日
Apr 29 Shōwa Day 昭和の日
May 4 Greenery Day みどりの日
May 5 Children's Day こどもの日
May 6 Constitution Memorial Day 憲法記念日
Jul 20 Marine Day 海の日
Aug 11 Mountain Day 山の日
Sep 21 Respect for the Aged Day 敬老の日
Sep 23 Autumnal Equinox Day 秋分の日
Oct 12 Sports Day スポーツの日
Nov 3 Culture Day 文化の日
Nov 23 Labour Thanksgiving Day 勤労感謝の日

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Ōtsuchi.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ōtsuchi

What is the population of Ōtsuchi?

Ōtsuchi has a population of 11,572 residents and is located in Japan. The population density is 150 people per square mile, spread across 77.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Ōtsuchi expensive to live in?

The median household income is $26,100, 65% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $64,000 (77% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $320 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.5x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Ōtsuchi?

Ōtsuchi has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 31°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 237 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 54.7 inches, with 4.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Ōtsuchi?

The job market in Ōtsuchi is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.5% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. There are 370 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Ōtsuchi?

The median home value in Ōtsuchi is $64,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $320.

Nearby Cities

Kamaishi 43,107 pop · 6.4 mi Yamada 15,195 pop · 7.4 mi Miyako 51,150 pop · 19.5 mi Tōno 26,110 pop · 19.9 mi Ōfunato 35,452 pop · 22.6 mi Setamai 5,045 pop · 23.4 mi Rikuzen-Takata 18,262 pop · 27.3 mi Iwaizumi 8,987 pop · 33.8 mi Kesennuma 61,147 pop · 36.5 mi Tanohata 3,059 pop · 39.2 mi Hizume 32,147 pop · 41.1 mi Hanamaki 94,691 pop · 41.9 mi Ōshū 112,937 pop · 42.2 mi Kitakami 93,045 pop · 42.3 mi
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