Nishiwaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Nishiwaki (西脇市, Nishiwaki-shi) is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 May 2022, the city had an estimated population density of 290 persons per km².The total area of the city is 132.44 square km (51.14 sq mi). The city calls itself "The Navel of Japan (Nihon no Heso)". Located at the crossing of the 135° East meridian and the 35° North parallel, the city's Nihon no Heso Park marks the centre of the nation.

Geography Nishiwaki is located in the northern Harima region of Hyōgo prefecture, about 50 km north of Kobe city, bordered by the Chugoku Mountains to the north. The Kakogawa River, Sugihara River, and the Noma River flow through the city,

Neighbouring municipalities Hyōgo Prefecture • Kasai • Katō • Taka • Sasayama • Tanba.

History The area of Nishiwaki was in ancient Harima Province. In the Edo Period, most of the area was tenryō territory under direct administration of the Tokugawa shogunate. Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Sugata, was created within Taka District, Hyōgo with the creation of the modern municipalities system April 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on November 1, 1917, changing its name to Nishiwaki. On April 1,1952 Nishiwaki merged with the neighboring villages of Hino, Shigeharu, and Hiesho to form the city of Nishiwaki. On October 1, 2005, the town of Kurodashō (from Taka District) was merged into Nishiwaki.

Government Nishiwaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Nishiwaki, together with the town of Taki, contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy From the middle of the Edo period (1792), the area has been noted for the production of a striped cloth per a technique introduced from Nishijin in Kyoto, called "Banshu weaving". In the latter half of the Meiji era became known nationwide, and still has a share of more than 70% of domestic yarn-dyed textiles. Other noted products include the production of Kobe beef.

Education Nishiwaki has eight public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government and three public high schools operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education.

Transport: Rail JR West - Kakogawa Line • Nishiwakishi - Shin-Nishiwaki - Hie - Nihon-heso-kōen - Kurodashō - Hon-Kuroda - Funamachiguchi.

Transport: Road • National Route 175 • National Route 427.