Niimi, Okayama Prefecture, Chūgoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Niimi (新見市, Niimi-shi) is a city located in north-western Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Niimi is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River.

Geography Niimi is located on a karst plateau in the Chugoku Mountains in north-east Okayama Prefecture. More than 85% of the city area is mountainous, with Mount Hanami is the highest peak at 1188 meters. Due to they rugged terrain, there are many waterfalls, dams, hot springs and multiple limestone caves in the city. The main urban area is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River (110.7 km (68.8 mi).

Neighboring municipalities Okayama Prefecture • Maniwa • Takahashi • Shinjō; Tottori Prefecture • Hino • Nichinan; Hiroshima Prefecture • Shōbara.

History Niimi was part of ancient Bitchū Province and was divided between Aga District and Tetsuta District by the Takahashi River. It appears in documentary records as early as the Heian period (794–1185) when a shōen manorial estate called Niimi-shō' occupied much of the area of present-day Niimi. In the middle of the Kamakura period, the Niimi clan, served as jito of northern Bitchū and built a castle at Niimi as their residence. After that, the area became the territory of Tō-ji temple in Kyoto and later was under the control of the Amago clan during the Sengoku period. During the early Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of Bitchū-Matsuyama Domain and developed as an important centre of inland trade, due to its connection by the Takahashi River with the jōkamachi of Matsuyama.In 1697, the Tokugawa Shogunate established Niimi Domain, which was ruled by the Seki clan to the Meiji restoration. The village of Niimi was established on July 22, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on February 26, 1896. Most often town was destroyed by a fire on April 15, 1938. Niimi was raised to city status on June 1, 1954.

On March 31, 2005, Niimi absorbed the towns of Ōsa, Shingō, Tessei and Tetta (all from Atetsu District) to become a larger and expanded Niimi.

Government Niimi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. The city contributes one member to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Okayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Niimi was historically known for its iron sand quarries and the production of wagyu beef. The principle industries in modern Niimi are limestone quarrying, cement production, forestry, and tourism. Yamasa Company, Ltd., a producer of pachinko slot machines, is headquartered in the city. Farms in Niimi produce grapes, chestnuts, peaches, and Japanese pears. A black tea plantation is also being trialled here.

Education The city is served by Niimi Kōritsu Tanki Daigaku, known in English as Niimi College. Niimi has 17 public elementary schools and seven public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school, and the prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transport: Rail Niimi is an important railway center. The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station: JR West (JR West) - Geibi Line • Niimi - Nunohara - Bitchū Kōjiro - Sakane - Ichioka - Yagami - Nochi; JR West (JR West) - Kishin Line • Osakabe - Tajibe - Iwayama - Niimi; JR West (JR West) - Hakubi Line • Ikura - Ishiga - Niimi - Nunohara - Bitchū Kōjiro - Ashidachi - Niizato.

Transport: Bus • Niimi Municipal Bus (新見市営バス, Niimi Chōei Basu) • Bihoku Bus Company, Ltd. (備北バス, Bihoku Basu).

Transport: Road • Chūgoku Expressway • National Route 180 • National Route 182.

Local attractions Niimi is known for its limestone caves. They include: • Ikura-do Cave • Maki-do Cave • Rashomon.