Tamba-Sasayama, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Tamba-Sasayama (丹波篠山市), formerly known as Sasayama, is a city in the central eastern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The modern city of Tamba-Sasayama was established in 1999, from the merger of the former town of Sasayama, absorbing the towns of Konda, Nishiki and Tannan (all from Taki District). The name Tamba-Sasayama was chosen in reference to the historical Tanba Province, which still has some influence on local branding and politics. As of 31 March 2022, the city had an estimated population density of 110 persons per km². The total area of the city is 493.21 square km (190.43 sq mi)

Geography Tamba-Sasayama is located in an inland basin surrounded by mountains on all sides in the eastern part of the prefecture. It is located in the mountains between the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. The city has a slightly rectangular area 30 km (19 mi) east–west and 20 km (12 mi) north–south.

Neighboring municipalities Hyōgo Prefecture • Inagawa • Katō • Nishiwaki • Sanda • Tamba; Kyoto Prefecture • Fukuchiyama • Kyōtamba • Nantan; Osaka Prefecture • Nose.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Tamba-Sasayama peaked around 1950 and has been relatively stable for the past 50 years.

History The area of Tamba-Sasayama was part of ancient Tanba Province, and corresponds almost exactly with ancient Taki District. Sasayama developed as a castle town around Sasayama Castle, which was constructed in the early Edo Period. The town of Sasayama was established on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system, and expanded its borders through municipal mergers with neighboring villages in 1955 and 1975. It was raised to city status on April 1, 1999, from the merger of the former town of Sasayama, absorbing the towns of Konda, Nishiki and Tannan (all from Taki District).

On November 18, 2018, the city held a successful referendum on changing its name from Sasayama to Tamba-Sasayama in reference to the historical Tanba Province, which still has some influence on local branding and politics. The referendum about changing a municipality's name is the first of its kind in Japan, and the new name officially came into effect in May 2019.

Government Tamba-Sasayama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Tamba-Sasayama contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo fifth district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Tamba-Sasayama has mostly a rural economy based on agriculture and forestry. Tamba-Sasayama is well known in the Kansai region for its agriculture and food products, specifically kuromame or kuro daizu (black soybeans), mountain yam, Japanese chestnuts, azuki beans, matsutake, beef, wild boar and venison. Tourism, including agritourism, is playing an increasing role in the local economy.

Education Tamba-Sasayama has 14 public elementary schools and six 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 – Fukuchiyama Line • Kusano - Furuichi - Minami-Yashiro - Sasayamaguchi - Tamba-Ōyama.

Transport: Road • Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway • National Route 173 • National Route 176 • National Route 372.

Local attractions • Fukuzumi Traditional Buildings Preservation Area • Mount Mitake • Mount Nishigatake • Mount Yajuro • Sasayama Castle ruins, National Historic Site • Sasayama Traditional Buildings Preservation Area • Yakami Castle ruins, National Historic Site.

Festivals The Dekansho Festival, famous for "Bon" style dancing, is held annually, every August 15 through 16 since 1952.

Local products • Tamba ware, or tamba-tachikui-yaki, is a traditional style of pottery that has been produced here since the 12th century.