Miyakonojō Explained

Miyakonojō
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:City
Seal Type:Emblem
Image Map1:Miyakonojo in Miyazaki Prefecture Ja.svg
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:31.7194°N 131.0617°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Kyushu
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Miyazaki
Subdivision Type3:District
Extinct Title:Now part of
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Takahisa Ikeda
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:653.36
Population Total:158,235
Population As Of:November 1, 2023
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address
Blank Info Sec1:6-21 Himegichō, Miyakonojō-shi, Miyazaki-ken 885-8555
Blank Name Sec2:Climate
Blank Info Sec2:Cfa
Module:
Embedded:yes

is a city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 158,235 in 72394 households, and a population density of 240 persons per km2. [1] The total area of the city is, making it the largest city in the prefecture in terms of area.

Geography

Miyakonojō is located at the southwestern tip of Miyazaki Prefecture in the Miyakonojō basin, approximately 50 km west-southwest of Miyazaki City and approximately 90 km east-northeast of Kagoshima City. The northern, western, and southern parts of the city border Kagoshima Prefecture.The Ōyodo River flows roughly from north to south through the center of the city, and the city is surrounded by the Kirishima Mountains to the west and the Wanizuka Mountains to the east.

Neighboring municipalities

Miyazaki Prefecture

Kagoshima Prefecture

Climate

Miyakonojō has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), but is cooler than other cities in Miyazaki. The average temperature is, and it rains less than in Miyazaki City. The area's climate is influenced by its proximity to mountains.

Neighboring municipalities

Miyazaki Prefecture

Kagoshima Prefecture

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Miyakonojō in 2020 is 160,640 people. Miyakonojō has been conducting censuses since 1920.

History

The area of Miyakonojō was part of ancient Hyūga Province. In 1026, near the end of the Heian period, it was site of the Shimazu Estate, the largest shōen (landed estate or manor) of medieval Japan. Expanded substantially in the first half of the 12th century, it eventually covered large portions of Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga Provinces. In 1185, Koremune no Tadahisa was appointed as jitō of the estate, and adopted the name of the manor, thus founding the Shimazu clan. The area was ruled by the Hongō clan, a cadet branch of the Shimazu, in the Muromachi period, and with a kokudaka of 40,000 koku, was the largest of the autonomous territories within Satsuma Domain in the Edo period. Following the Meiji restoration, the town of Miyakonojō was established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to city status on April 1, 1924.

On January 1, 2006, the towns of Takajō, Takazaki, Yamada and Yamanokuchi (all from Kitamorokata District) were merged into Miyakonojō.

Government

Miyakonojō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 29 members. Miyakonojō contributes six 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

Many of Miyakonojō's citizens work as farmers. They produce gobō, meat, and bell peppers. Miyakonojō is also home to some agriculture-related manufacturing.

Miyakonojō is also famous for producing traditional Japanese archery bows from the abundant bamboo in the area.[2]

Education

Miyakonojō has 35 public elementary schools and 19 public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city has six public high schools operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education. There are also two private high schools. The prefecture operates two special education schools for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railways

JR Kyushu - Nippō Main Line

JR Kyushu - Kitto Line

Highways

Sister city relations

Notable resident of Miyakonojō

Local attractions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Miyakonojō City official statistics. Japan. ja.
  2. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/facilities/traditional_handicrafts/83dn3a000000elvr.html Miyakonojo daikyu (archery bows)
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7000487.stm Oldest man marks 112th birthday