Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Kaminoyama (上山市, Kaminoyama-shi) is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 October 2020, the city had an estimated population density of 120 persons per km². The total area of the city is 240.93 square km (93 sq mi).

Geography Kaminoyama is located in south-east Yamagata Prefecture, in the Murayama Basin, bordered by Miyagi Prefecture to the east. Mount Zaō is located within its borders.

Neighboring municipalities Yamagata Prefecture; ◦ Yamagata, Yamagata; ◦ Nanyo, Yamagata; ◦ Takahata, Yamagata; Miyagi Prefecture; ◦ Kawasaki, Miyagi; ◦ Shichikashuku, Miyagi.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Kaminoyama has declined over the past 40 years.

History The area of present-day Kaminoyama was part of ancient Dewa Province, and was a castle town for Kaminoyama Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period. It was also a post station on the Ushū Kaidō highway. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Minamimurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The town of Kaminoyama was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, and was elevated to city status on October 1, 1954.

Government Higashine has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 15 members. The city contributes one member to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 1 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Kaminoyama is based on agriculture (horticulture), light manufacturing (electronics, automotive components, clothing, foodstuffs), forestry and tourism. This region is famous for its hot spring water and hot spring resorts near the former grounds of Kaminoyama Castle

Education Kaminoyama has five public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high schools operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped and two vocational training schools.

Transport: Rail East Japan Railway Company - Yamagata Shinkansen • Kaminoyama Onsen; East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line • Kaminoyama Onsen - Uzen-Nakayama - Mokichi Kinenkan-mae.

Transport: Road • Tōhoku-Chūō Expressway – Yamagata-Kamiyama Interchange, Kaminoyama-Minami Interchange • National Route 13 • National Route 458.

Local attractions • Kaminoyama Castle • Sky Tower 41 • Saito Mokichi Memorial Museum • Kaminoyama Onsen.