Nichinan, Miyazaki
Encyclopedia
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
in Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The city was founded on January 1, 1950. As of November 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 57,866 and a population density of 108 persons per km². The city's total area is 536.12 km².
Geography and climate
Nichinan is on Japan's southernmost main island, KyūshūKyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. The average annual temperature is 18.7 degrees Celsius with average annual rainfall of 2573.5 ml.
Economy
Mandarin oranges, ponkan, sweet peas, green peppers, kumquats, and rice are the main agricultural products of Nichinan, a sector that employs 2,130 people. In addition, logging, particularly of Obi cedarCryptomeria
Cryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
, takes place on 3,451 hectares of land.) Fishing of tuna, bonito
Bonito
Bonito is a name given to various species of medium-sized, predatory fish in the Scombridae family. First, bonito most commonly refers to species in the genus Sarda, including the Atlantic bonito and the Pacific bonito ; second, in Japanese cuisine, bonito refers to the skipjack tuna , which, in...
, and spiny lobster
Spiny lobster
Spiny lobsters, also known as langouste or rock lobsters, are a family of about 45 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda Reptantia...
is another major industry.
Manufacturing is worth approximately ¥47.2 billion per year. Tourism draws over a million visitors each year.
History
Nichinan began as part of the Fujiwara ShōenShoen
A was a field or manor in Japan. The Japanese term comes from the Tang dynasty Chinese term zhuangyuan.Shōen, from about the 8th to the late 15th century, describes any of the private, tax-free, often autonomous estates or manors whose rise undermined the political and economic power of the...
in the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. The city's history and development were heavily influenced by the history of Obi town, a district of Nichinan which still exists today. Obi was one of the eight districts of Hyūga
Hyuga Province
was an old province of Japan on the east coast of Kyūshū, corresponding to the modern Miyazaki Prefecture. It was sometimes called or . Hyūga bordered on Bungo, Higo, Ōsumi, and Satsuma Province.The ancient capital was near Saito.-Historical record:...
, an old province in eastern Japan, which was ruled by the Itō clan
Ito clan
The ' were a Japanese clan that claimed descent from the medieval warrior Itō Suketoki , who was famous for his involvement in the incident involving the Soga brothers. The family became a moderate power both in influence and ability by the latter Sengoku Period of Feudal Japan...
based at Obi Castle.
Throughout the Sengoku period, the Itō clan's most serious rival was the neighbouring Shimazu clan
Shimazu clan
The were the daimyō of the Satsuma han, which spread over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga provinces in Japan.The Shimazu were identified as one of the tozama or outsider daimyō clans in contrast with the fudai or insider clans which were hereditary vassals or allies of the Tokugawa clan,The Shimazu were...
. The Shimazu clan had unified Satsuma Province
Satsuma Province
was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū. Its abbreviation is Sasshū .During the Sengoku Period, Satsuma was a fief of the Shimazu daimyo, who ruled much of southern Kyūshū from their castle at Kagoshima city.In 1871, with the...
and Ōsumi Province
Osumi Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today the eastern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Ōsumi bordered on Hyūga and Satsuma Provinces.Osumi's ancient capital was near modern Kokubu...
under its control, and began to clash with the Itō clan in 1570. The Itō clan was finally defeated by the Shimazu clan in 1578. After seeking help from then Shōgun
Shogun
A was one of the hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents , were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor...
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
, the family's lands were restored in 1587 after his invasion of Kyūshū and subjugation of the Shimazu clan. By the Edo Era, the Itō clan regained its holdings, which came to be known as the Obi Domain. In the period after the Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, efforts were poured into quality education at the Shintoku Clan School in Obi. The school is where the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
diplomat Marquis Komura Jutarō
Komura Jutaro
was a statesman and diplomat in Meiji period Japan.-Biography:Komura was born to a lower-ranking samurai family in service of the Obi clan at Nichinan, Hyuga province . He attended the Daigaku Nankō...
graduated from.
On January 1, 1950, the city was established through an amalgamation of Agata town, Aburatsu town, Obi town, and Togo village. On February 1, 1955, Futo village and Hosoda town joined. The current Nichinan city was established on April 1, 1956, when it amalgamated with Sakatani village, Kahara village, and the Odotsu district. Since 1963, Nichinan has been the spring training location for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team.
In 1998, plans were made to extend the eastern Kyūshū expressway to come as far as Kitagō town and Nichinan. In 1999, a 12-meter wharf was completed at the eastern head of Aburatsu port. Aburatsu's increasing role as a harbor has made it a regular stopover for both domestic and foreign ships, and it is becoming an authentic international trading port. From 2001 to 2010, a general plan for the future of Nichinan was drawn up, with the simple theme of progressing Nichinan as, "a city that combines its fragrant history and culture with the sunshine and lush green mountains."
During the nationwide round of Heisei-era mergers
Merger and dissolution of municipalities of Japan
Municipal mergers and dissolutions carried out in Japan can take place within one municipality or between multiple municipalities and are required to be based upon consensus.- Merger policy:...
, the was formed in August 2004 by the area's residents to consider the merger of the three municipalities. The group was, however, dissolved in May 2005 when the Kitagō Town Council vetoed the proposed merger bill despite the support for the merger by residents in both Kitagō and Nangō towns. The association was reconstituted on September 28, 2007, when merger supporters in both towns gained majorities on their respective town councils. On March 30, 2009, the three municipalities agreed to merge and become the new city of Nichinan.
Festivals and events
There are three major festivals that occur in Nichinan throughout the year:: This festival typically occurs between late March and early April when the approximately one thousand cherry trees of Chikkō-en come into bloom.: This festival at the port of Aburatsu features Japanese rowing and shihanmato (bow and arrow) competitions. held Usually held the 3rd weekend of July, there are also street stalls, a fireworks display, and tours of a Maritime Self-Defense ForceJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
vessel.: Held the 3rd weekend of October in the former Obi Town, this Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
festival features a procession of warriors, the traditional Nichinan Taihei dancem and princesses of the festival among the many public events.
Other events include spring and autumn training for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team, various swimming and marathon events, and monthly morning markets held at Aburatsu port and in front of Nichinan City Hall.
Temples and shrines
Points of interest
: The main gate of the castle was restored with 100-year-old Obi cedar in 1978. Within the castle, the samurai’s mansion, the storehouse, and the white-walled merchant building still remain. The walls of Obi castle are made of 51,000 stones. Because of its many cultural and historic landmarks, it is called the "Little Kyoto" of Kyūshū. It is part of the Japan National TrustJapan National Trust
The Japan National Trust is an organization which works to preserve and protect the heritage of Japan.-History:In 1964, a newspaper article "Destruction of the Nature" written by novelist Osaragi Jiro described the activity of British National Trust. A foundation, "Scenic Resources Preservation...
to preserve traditional architecture.: A replica of the original palace reconstructed using 100 year old Obi cedar
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
.: A restored canal district in Aburatsu known as the location for the movie Otoko wa tsurai yo
Otoko wa Tsurai yo
Otoko wa tsurai yo is a Japanese film series starring Kiyoshi Atsumi as "Tora-san" , a kind-hearted vagabond who is always unlucky in love. The series itself is often referred to as "Tora-san" by its fans...
. The canal is 900 meters long and was built at the beginning of the Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
in 1685. The main purpose of its construction was to transport Obi cedar safely down to the port from inland logging areas.: A mountain looking out over the port of Aburatsu. Locally, it is called the watchtower mountain and in the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it became an air raid watchtower. It was also used as a weather forecasting mountain by fleets of ships based at Aburatsu Port during the days of the Obi clan. The ships used the summit of the harbor as a marker and made their way into Aburatsu Port.
Other points of interest include::
Rail
JR Kyūshū provides rail transport through the city via the Nichinan LineNichinan Line
The is a railway line on Kyūshū, running from Minami-Miyazaki Station in Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture to terminal of Shibushi Station in Shibushi, Kagoshima Prefecture.-The line's data:*Operator：JR Kyūshū*Distance ：88.9 km*Gauge：1067 mm...
. The city's central station is , but and provide access to their respective districts.
Road
National Route 220Route 220 (Japan)
National Route 220 is a national highway of Japan connecting Miyazaki, Miyazaki and Kirishima, Kagoshima in Japan, with a total length of 186.1 km ....
is the main transportation artery, passing through the center of the city. National Routes 222
Route 222 (Japan)
National Route 222 is a national highway of Japan connecting Nichinan, Miyazaki and Miyakonojō, Miyazaki in Japan, with a total length of 55.2 km ....
and 448
Route 448 (Japan)
National Route 448 is a national highway of Japan connecting Ibusuki, Kagoshima and Miyazaki, Miyazaki in Japan, with a total length of 231.1 km ....
also provide automobile access through the city.
Educational facilities
There are seven kindergartens, 13 elementary schools, seven junior high schools and four high schools located within the city.Sister cities
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Media
- The Obi district of Nichinan was the location for the NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
television series "Wakaba" broadcast from September 2004 to March 2005.