Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Chūgoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Mimasaka is a city located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The modern city of Mimasaka was founded in 2005 by the merger of the former town of Mimasaka, absorbing the towns of Aida, Ōhara and Sakutō, the village Higashiawakura (all from Aida District), and the town of Katsuta (from Katsuta District).

Geography Mimasaka is located in north-east Okayama. Most of the city limits are hills and forests. The prefectural border is at the Chugoku Mountains, and there is Mount Ushiro (1344 meters), the highest peak in the prefecture is within the city limits. Parts of the city are considered to be heavy snowfall areas.

Adjoining municipalities Okayama Prefecture • Bizen; • Wake; • Misaki; • Shōō; • Nagi; • Nishiawakura; Hyōgo Prefecture • Shisō; • Sayō; Tottori Prefecture • Chizu.

History The area of Mimasaka is part of ancient Mimasaka Province, from which it takes its name. The Hayashino district, which is the centre of the city, has long been an important transportation hub, and since the Sengoku period, goods have been transported by boats crossing the Yoshii River. In the Edo period, the Mori clan, who were the first daimyō of Tsuyama Domain, gave local merchants the same level of authority as merchants in the castle town of Tsuyama, making it the centre of eastern Mimasaka. Afterwards, it came under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate and a magistrate's office was established. The famed samurai Miyamoto Musashi was born in what is now part of the city.

The modern city of Mimasaka was founded on March 31, 2005 by the merger of the former town of Mimasaka, absorbing the towns of Aida, Ōhara and Sakutō, the village Higashiawakura (all from Aida District), and the town of Katsuta (from Katsuta District).

Government Mimasaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Mimasaka, collectively with the village of Nishiawakura, contributes one member to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Okayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Mimasaka has a mixed economy based on manufacturing, wholesale and retail commerce, agriculture, forestry, and tourism (hot springs),

Education Mimasaka has nine public elementary schools and five public junior high school operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Okayama prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail JR West (JR West) - Kishin Line • Mimasaka-Doi - Mimasaka-Emi - Narahara - Hayashino

Chizu Express - Chizu Line • Miyamoto Musashi - Ōhara

Transport: Road • Chūgoku Expressway • Tottori Expressway • National Route 179 • National Route 373 • National Route 374 • National Route 429.

Local attractions • Miyamoto Musashi Budokan • Yunogo Onsen • Okayama International Circuit • Village of Miyamoto Musashi • Ōhara-shuku (Shukuba) • Valentine Park Sakutō • Chōfukuji Temple • Japan museum of contemporary toy & Hall of music box.