Niimi, Okayama
| Niimi 新見市 | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of Niimi in Okayama Prefecture | |
  Niimi Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 34°58′26″N 133°28′23″E / 34.97389°N 133.47306°ECoordinates: 34°58′26″N 133°28′23″E / 34.97389°N 133.47306°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Chūgoku (San'yō) |
| Prefecture | Okayama Prefecture |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Masao Ishigaki (since 1994) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 793.27 km2 (306.28 sq mi) |
| Population (March 31, 2011) | |
| • Total | 34,035 |
| • Density | 42.90/km2 (111.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| Symbols | |
| - Tree | Chamaecyparis |
| - Flower | Azalea |
| - Bird | Cettia diphone |
| Address |
Niimi 310-3, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture (岡山県新見市新見310-3) 718-0011 |
| Phone number | 81(0)867-72-6111 |
Niimi (新見市 Niimi-shi) is a city located in northwestern Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,035 (16,200 males, 17,835 females), with 13,077 households and a population density of 42.90 persons per km². The total area is 793.27 km². Niimi is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River (110.7 kilometres (68.8 mi).[1][2][3]
History
Niimi was known as early as the Heian period (794 – 1185). A shōen manorial estate called Niimi-shō' occupied much of the area of present-day Niimi. Niimi, due to its location on the Takashi River, became an important center of inland trade.[3] In the Sengoku period (1467 – 1573) the Seki clan controlled the area, and established the Niimi Domain.[3] The modern city of Niimi was founded 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.[2]
Attractions
Niimi is known for its limestone caves.[2] They include:
- Ikura-do Cave
- Maki-do Cave
- Rashomon
-
Rashomon Stone Arch Gate
-
Ikurado Cave
-
Makido Cave
-
Niimi Museum
Economy
Niimi was historically known for its iron sand quarries and the production of wagyu beef.[3] The principle industries in modern Niimi are limestone quarrying, cement production,[4] forestry, and tourism. Yamasa Company, Ltd., a producer of pachinko slot machines, is headquartered in the city.[5] Farms in Niimi produce tobacco, peaches, and beef.[4]
Education
The city is served by Niimi Kōritsu Tanki Daigaku, known in English as Niimi College.
Transportation
Rail
Niimi is an important railway center.[4] The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station.
- Geibi Line (Niimi -- Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- Niimi Station -- Nunohara Station -- Bitchū Kōjiro Station -- Sakane Station -- Ichioka Station -- Yagami Station -- Nochi Station
- Kishin Line (Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture—Niimi)
- Osakabe Station -- Tajibe Station -- Iwayama Station—Niimi Station.
- Hakubi Line (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture -- Yonago, Tottori Prefecture)
- Ikura Station -- Ishiga Station—Niimi Station—Nunohara Station—Bitchū-Kōjiro Station -- Ashidachi Station -- Niizato Station
Bus
- Niimi Municipal Bus (新見市営バス Niimi Chōei Basu)
- Bihoku Bus Company, Ltd. (備北バス Bihoku Basu)
Highway
Sister/Friendship cities
Niimi maintains the following Sister/Friendship Cities.
New Paltz, New York, United States since 1998.
Sidney-by-the-Sea, British Columbia, Canada since 2008.
Xinyang, People's Republic of China since 1992.
References
- ↑ "高梁川" [Takahashi River]. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 683276033. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "新見" [Niimi]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "新見" [Niimi]. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 683276033. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Niimi". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
- ↑ 山佐株式会社(Japanese)
External links
- Niimi City official website(Japanese)
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