Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Miki is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1954. The total area of the city is 176.51 square km (68.15 sq mi).

Geography Miki is located in the south-western part of Hyogo prefecture, north-west of Kobe, on the 135th meridian east line. It is included in the Harima Plain on the west side of the Rokko Mountains and on the south side of the Chugoku Mountains, and the Mino River flows from east to west in the city area. Fluvial terraces and gentle hills spread around the plains. Since it is inland, precipitation is relatively low and there are many ponds. There is an old town along the Mino River, and a new residential area near the border with Kobe City in the south-eastern part. The highest point in the city is 453 meters above sea level on Mt. Shibire.

Neighboring municipalities Hyōgo Prefecture • Kobe • Sanda • Kakogawa • Ono • Katō • Inami.

History The area of the modern city of Mino was within ancient Harima Province, and developed as a castle town at the foot of Miki Castle during the Muromachi period. During the Sengoku period, the castle was destroyed in the Siege of Miki. In the Edo Period, the area was controlled by Himeji Domain. The town of Miki was established within Mino District, Hyōgo with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on June 1, 1954. On October 24, 2005, the town of Yokawa (from Mino District) was merged into Miki.

Government Miki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Miki 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 Miki has had an industrial economy based on metalworking from the early Edo Period, and continues to promote itself nationwide as the main production area for hand tools and hardware. Agriculture, notably the growing of "Yamada Nishiki" brand rice and vineyards for the production of grapes is also important. The central and northern parts of the city have numerous golf courses and forest areas for recreation. The city is increasingly becoming a commuter town for Kobe and Osaka due to its proximity.

Education Miki has 13 public elementary schools, six public middle schools and one combined elementary/middle school operated by the city government and four public high school operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. A private college, the Kansai University of International Studies, is located in Izumi.

Transport: Rail Kobe Electric Railway (Shintetsu) – Ao Line • Midorigaoka - Hirono Golf-jō-mae - Shijimi - Ebisu - Miki Uenomaru - Miki - Ōmura

Transport: Road • San'yō Expressway • Chūgoku Expressway • Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway • National Route 175 • National Route 427 • National Route 428.

Local attractions • Miki Castle ruins, National Historic Site • Ōmiya Hachiman Shrine • Gaya-in, Buddhist temple with numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.