Miyazaki, Miyazaki

Miyazaki 宮崎市
Core city
Tachibana Street in Miyazaki
Flag Symbol
Location of Miyazaki in Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Location in Japan
Coordinates: 31°55′N 131°25′E / 31.917°N 131.417°E / 31.917; 131.417Coordinates: 31°55′N 131°25′E / 31.917°N 131.417°E / 31.917; 131.417
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Miyazaki Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Tadashi Tojiki
Area
• Total	286.96 km2 (110.80 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	399,834
Symbols
• Tree	Cinnamomum camphora
• Flower	Iris ensata, Camellia
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	1-1-1 Tachibana-dōri Nishi, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken 880-8505
Website	www.city.miyazaki.miyazaki.jp

Miyazaki (宮崎市, Miyazaki-shi, Japanese: [mìyáꜜzàkì]) is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Located on the coast and crossed by several rivers, Miyazaki City enjoys scenic views of both ocean and nearby, verdant mountains. A popular resort destination for Japanese tourists, the city offers many attractions, including the SeaGaia event center (though the indoor ocean facility is no longer operational), the Phoenix Zoo, and many large hotels and onsens (public baths). The city is the primary shopping destination for eastern Kyushu residents in smaller towns around the prefecture. The city was founded on April 1, 1924.^[1]

As of this merger (but with 2003 population estimates), the city has an estimated population of 365,311 and a population density of 612 persons per km². The total area is 596.68 km². As of December 2010, the current population is 399,834.

Miyazaki Airport and Miyazaki seaport serve^[2] the city.

History

Hakkō ichiu Monument. It had Prince Chichibu's calligraphy of Hakkō ichiu, carved on its front side.^[3]

In 1940, the imperialist Shōwa regime constructed the 37 meter Hakkō Ichiu pillar upon the legendary site of Emperor Jimmu's palace. Located near Miyazaki, it was originally intended to symbolize the divine right of the Empire of Japan to "unify the eight corners of the world". The tower survived the war and is now the center piece of the Heiwadai-koen peace park.^[4]

On January 1, 2006, the towns of Sadowara and Tano (both from Miyazaki District), and the town of Takaoka (from Higashimorokata District) were merged into Miyazaki.

On March 23, 2010, the town of Kiyotake (from Miyazaki District) was merged into Miyazaki. Miyazaki District was dissolved as a result of this merger.^[5]

Economy

Skynet Asia Airways has its headquarters in Miyazaki.^[6] Asiana Airlines operates a sales office on the sixth floor of the Miyazaki Daiichi Seimei Building in Miyazaki.^[7] Dell Inc has their two call centers in Japan then had opened the one on the 5th floor of Carino Miyazaki Building in Miyazaki.

Points of interest

• Miyazaki Prefectural Office became famous as a tourist spot when Hideo Higashikokubaru, a national celebrity, became the mayor of Miyazaki.
• Miyazaki-jingū, a shrine in the city's center, is one of Miyazaki's sacred dedications to Japan's first emperor, Jinmu.
• Heiwadai Tower or "Peace Tower" (also known as the Hakkō ichiu monument), in the expansive Heiwadai park, is a must-see for tourists. Originally the "Tower of the Emperor," symbolizing Japanese imperial expansion, it was renamed for peace after the events of World War II.
• Aoshima Island and shrine, only minutes south of the city, boasts some rare rock formations known as the Devil's Washboard among a peaceful beach setting, and is a popular relaxation and play destination for locals and travelers alike. The fascinating Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden is also located nearby.
• The Tom Watson Golf Course was produced by Tom Watson, an American professional golfer.
• Miyazaki-city Phoenix Zoo
• The Citizen's Forest. a Large park near Phoenix Zoo. l

Located on its grounds is the Misogi-ike, Pound of Purification, that according to legend is the birthplace of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

• The Ikimen Burial Mounds are located in Miyzaki and include the Ikime-no-mori Yukokan, Activity Centre, where visitors learn the history of the burial mounds and learn about ancient activities.
• Miyazaki City is known for its excellent surfing conditions year-round, and Kisakihama Beach, Aoshima Beach, and Shirahama Beach are popular surfing spots all within the city limits.

• 
  Miyazaki Sea Gaia and Ocean Dome
• 
  Aoshima and resort area
• 
  Peace tower with the motto "Hakkō ichiu"

Transportation

The JR Kyushu Nichinan Line serves the area.

Twin towns – sister cities

Miyazaki has five sister cities:^[8]

National

• Kashihara, Nara, Japan (since February 11, 1966)
• Tano, Kōchi, Japan (since July 8, 1989)
• Daisen, Akita, Japan (since June 3, 2001)

International

• Waukegan, Illinois, United States, since May 3, 1990
• Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States, since May 25, 1992
• Boeun County, South Korea, since August 6, 1993
• Huludao, China, since May 16, 2004

Notable people

• Yui Asaka (singer and actress)
• Shinzo Koroki (soccer player)
• Kosei Inoue (judoka)
• Ryunosuke Haga (judoka)

Education

• University of Miyazaki
• Miyazaki Prefectural Nursing University
• Miyazaki Municipal University
• Miyazaki Sangyo-keiei University
• Minami Kyushu University
• Miyazaki International College
• Minami Kyushu Junior College

Climate

Miyazaki has a warm humid temperate climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters. During the summer, the city is particularly prone to typhoons, one of which drenched the city with 587.2 millimetres (23.12 in) of rain in one day on 16 October 1939. The wettest month since records began has been September 1886 with 1,259.3 millimetres (49.58 in) and the driest December 1988, which stands as the only month with no measurable precipitation.

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Miyazaki.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miyazaki, Miyazaki.

• Official website (in Japanese)