Niimi Explained

Niimi
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:City
Seal Type:Seal
Image Map1:Niimi in Okayama Prefecture Ja.svg
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:34.9739°N 133.4731°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Chūgoku (San'yō)
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Okayama Prefecture
Subdivision Type3:District
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Hitoshi Ebisu (since 2020)
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:793.29
Population Total:27,106
Population As Of:February 28, 2023
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address
Blank Info Sec1:Niimi 310-3, Niimi-shi, Okayama-ken 718-0011
Blank Name Sec2:Climate
Blank Info Sec2:Cfa
Module:
Embedded:yes

is a city located in northwestern Okayama Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 27,106 in 12626 households.[1] and a population density of 34 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 793.29sqkm

Geography

Niimi is located on a karst plateau in the Chugoku Mountains in northeast Okayama Prefecture. More than 85% of the city area is mountainous, with Mount Hanami is the highest peak at 1188 meters. Due to they rugged terrain, there are many waterfalls, dams, hot springs and multiple limestone caves in the city. The main urban area is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River (110.7km (68.8miles).[2] [3] [4]

Neighboring municipalities

Okayama Prefecture

Tottori Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture

Climate

Niimi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Niimi is . The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Niimi was on 7 August 1994; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 28 February 1981.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Niimi in 2020 is 28,079 people. Niimi has been conducting censuses since 1920.

History

Niimi was part of ancient Bitchū Province and was divided between Aga District and Tetsuta District by the Takahashi River. It appears in documentary records as early as the Heian period (794–1185) when a shōen manorial estate called Niimi-shō occupied much of the area of present-day Niimi. In the middle of the Kamakura period, the Niimi clan, served as jito of northern Bitchū and built a castle at Niimi as their residence. After that, the area became the territory of Tō-ji temple in Kyoto and later was under the control of the Amago clan during the Sengoku period. During the early Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of Bitchū-Matsuyama Domain and developed as an important center of inland trade, due to its connection by the Takahashi River with the jōkamachi of Matsuyama.In 1697, the Tokugawa Shogunate established Niimi Domain, which was ruled by the Seki clan to the Meiji restoration. The village of Niimi was established on July 22, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on February 26, 1896. Most of the town was destroyed by a fire on April 15, 1938. Niimi was raised to city status on June 1, 1954.

On March 31, 2005, Niimi absorbed the towns of Ōsa, Shingō, Tessei and Tetta (all from Atetsu District) to become a larger and expanded Niimi.

Government

Niimi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. The city contributes one member to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Okayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Niimi was historically known for its iron sand quarries and the production of wagyu beef. The principle industries in modern Niimi are limestone quarrying, cement production,[5] forestry, and tourism. Yamasa Company, Ltd., a producer of pachinko slot machines, is headquartered in the city.[6] Farms in Niimi produce grapes, chestnuts, peaches, and Japanese pears.[5] A black tea plantation is also being trialled here.[7]

Education

The city is served by Niimi Kōritsu Tanki Daigaku, known in English as Niimi College. Niimi has 17 public elementary schools and seven public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school, and the prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railway

Niimi is an important railway center. The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station.

JR West (JR West) - Geibi Line

JR West (JR West) - Kishin Line

JR West (JR West) - Hakubi Line

Highway

Sister cities

Niimi maintains the following sister cities.

Local attractions

Niimi is known for its limestone caves. They include:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Niimi city official statistics. Japan. ja.
  2. Encyclopedia: Kokushi Daijiten . 高梁川 . 2012-08-21 . 2012 . Shogakukan . Tokyo . ja . Takahashi River . 683276033 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ . August 25, 2007 .
  3. Encyclopedia: Dijitaru Daijisen . 新見 . 2012-08-21 . 2012 . Shogakukan . Tokyo . ja . Niimi . 56431036 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ . August 25, 2007 .
  4. Encyclopedia: Kokushi Daijiten . 新見 . 2012-08-21 . 2012 . Shogakukan . Tokyo . ja . Niimi . 683276033 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ . August 25, 2007 .
  5. Encyclopedia: Encyclopedia of Japan . Niimi . 2012-03-06 . 2012 . Shogakukan . Tokyo . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ . August 25, 2007 .
  6. Web site: 20 May 2014 . 企業情報 (Yamasa Corporate Info) . 13 July 2021 . 山佐グループ (yamasa.co.jp) . ja.
  7. Web site: Japanese Tea: Not Just Green - News - NHK WORLD - English . www3.nhk.or.jp . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010532/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20161102113552065/ . 2016-11-04.
  8. Web site: New Paltz and Niimi City, Sister Cities . 2011-01-16 . Village of New Paltz.