Miyazaki (宮崎市, Miyazaki-shi, Japanese:[mijaꜜzaki]) is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. As of September 1, 2023[update], the city had an estimated population of 397,381 in 187,859 households, and a population density of 620 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 643.67 km2 (248.52 sq mi).
Geography
Miyazaki is located at the southern end of the Miyazaki Plain, with the Ōyodo River flowing through the center and bordered by the Hyūga Sea to the east. Except for the southern part, which is part of the Wanizuka Mountains, most of the area of the city consists of flat alluvial plains.
Miyazaki has a humid subtropical 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 was December 1988, which stands as the only month with no measurable precipitation.
Climate data for Miyazaki (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1886−present)
The area of Miyazaki was part of ancient Hyūga Province. In 1551, a merchant market town called Jogasaki was established on the south bank of the Ōyodo River near Akae port, and flourished due to trade along the Seto Inland Sea with the Kinai region. This settlement came under the control of Obi Domain ruled by the Itō clan in the Edo period, although much of the rest of the area which is now within the city borders was a patchwork of feudal holdings ruled directly by the Tokugawa shogunate as well as Sadowara Domain, Satsuma Domain and others. With the abolition of the han system in 1871, the Ōyodo River was the border between "Mimitsu Prefecture" and "Miyakonojo Prefecture". When these prefectures were merged in 1873 to form Miyazaki Prefecture, a site near the geographic center was selected as the new capital, and this was the hamlet of Kitta-Beppu, located near the old settlement of Jogasaki. The town of Miyazaki was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. After the completion of the nationwide railroad system, many new people began to settle in the area.[6]
Miyazaki merged with the neighbouring town of Ōyodo and village of Ōmiya, and was raised to city status on April 1, 1924.[7]
On April 1, 1998, Miyazaki was designated a Core cities of Japan, giving it greater local autonomy.
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.[8]
Government
Miyazaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 40 members. Miyazaki contributes 12 members to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Downtown of Miyazaki
Miyazaki is primary a regional commercial center. Although eastern Miyazaki is designated as the "Miyazaki SUN Technopolis area", there is no large-scale industry in Miyazaki City as the city is hampered by poor transportation and logistics connections with other areas of Japan. In recent years, the city has been actively attracting the information industry. Rural parts of the city are still agricultural, cultivation of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other crops, and food processing factories. Solaseed Air, a regional airline, has its head office in Miyazaki.
Miyazaki has 48 public elementary schools and 25 public junior high schools operated by the city government and one public junior high school and ten public high schools operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one national elementary school and one national junior high school affiliated with Miyazaki University. The city has seven private junior high schools and eight private high schools. The prefecture operates five special education schools for the handicapped.
Miyazaki Prefectural Office became famous as a tourist spot when Hideo Higashikokubaru, a national celebrity, became the prefectural governor of Miyazaki.
Miyazaki-jingū, a shrine in the city's centre, 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.[10]
Aoshima Island and shrine boasts some rare rock formations known as the Devil's Washboard among a peaceful beach setting, and it is a popular relaxation and play destination for locals and travellers alike. The Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden is also located nearby and is free to the public, including their greenhouse which features colourful lighting during some summer evenings.
The Tom Watson Golf Course was produced by Tom Watson, an American professional golfer.
Phoenix Zoo is a combination live animal zoo and child-centred amusement park.[11]
The Citizen's Forest is a large park near the Phoenix Zoo. Located on its grounds is the Misogi-ike, Pond of Purification, that is the birthplace of the sun goddess Amaterasu according to legend.
The Ikime Kofun Cluster is located in Miyazaki 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. Kisakihama Beach, Aoshima Beach, and Shirahama Beach are popular surfing spots all within the city limits.
Kaeda Valley is a free public park and natural reserve featuring walking paths and hiking trails (various difficulty levels and estimated times to completion). Kaeda is a forested area with a river running through it.[12]
The Kirishima Sports Complex consists of various athletic facilities, such as running trails, a stadium, tennis courts, an outdoor ropes course, etc. as well as some indoor meeting space.[13] The complex hosts various sports games/matches and events throughout the year, including the Aoshima Taiheiyo Marathon.[14]
Miyazaki Mango is a world famous species that looks like the rising sun. Also known as the Sun Egg is used for gifting.[15]
Florante Miyazaki is a botanical park that features floral displays and a popular winter lights display.[16]
Birthplace of Yasui Sokken, National Historic Site
^Schellinger, Paul; Salkin, Robert, eds. (1996). International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. pp. 592–594. ISBN1-884964-04-4.
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