Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Chūgoku Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Miyoshi is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded in 1954. In 2004, Miyoshi absorbed the towns of Kisa, Mirasaka and Miwa, the villages of Funo, Kimita and Sakugi (all from Futami District), and the town of Kōnu (from Kōnu District) to create the new and expanded city of Miyoshi. Futami District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Geography Miyoshi is located almost in the middle of the Chugoku region, with the Chugoku Mountains to the north and a flat agricultural area to the south. Together with the neighboring city of Shōbara, it forms the northern part of the prefecture called the "Bihoku region". Because the tributaries of the Enokawa River meet at the Miyoshi Basin, it prospered as a river port and has long functioned as a strategic point for culture, economy, and transportation connecting the San'in and San'yō regions. About one-third of the rain that falls in Hiroshima Prefecture is collected here, and it has abundant water. Due to the confluence of rivers, fog tends to occur in this area from late autumn to early spring. The centre of urban area is the Miyoshi Basin, which is located between the Chugoku Mountains and the Kibi Plateau at an elevation of 150 to 250 meters. Miyoshi developed as a twin settlement, with "Itsukaichi", as the castle town of the Miyoshi clan towards the west, and the current city centre district where Miyoshi Station is located as a market town called 'Tokaichi-machi' to the east.

Adjoining municipalities Hiroshima Prefecture • Akitakata • Fuchū • Higashihiroshima • Sera • Shōbara; Shimane Prefecture • Iinan • Misato • Ōnan.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Miyoshi in 2020 is 50,681 people. Miyoshi has been conducting censuses since 1950.

History The area of Miyoshi was part on ancient Bingo Province. During the Edo Period, it was largely the territory of Hiroshima Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the town of Miyoshi was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Miyoshi was raised to city status on March 31, 1954.

On April 1, 2004, Miyoshi absorbed the towns of Kisa, Mirasaka and Miwa, the villages of Funo, Kimita and Sakugi (all from Futami District), and the town of Kōnu (from Kōnu District) to create the new and expanded city of Miyoshi. Futami District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Government Miyoshi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 24 members. Miyoshi contributes one member to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Hiroshima 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Miyoshi is largely agricultural, with grapes and wineries predominant. Light manufacturing is centered on automobile engines and components for Mazda, which also has its test and proving grounds located in the city.

Education Miyoshi has 22 public elementary schools, 12 public junior high schools and one public high school operated by the city government, and three public high school operated by the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the disabled.

Transport: Rail JR West (JR West) - Geibi Line • Shimowachi - Shiomachi - Kamisugi - Yatsugi - Miyoshi - Nishi-Miyoshi - Shiwachi - Kamikawatachi

JR West (JR West) - Fukuen Line • Kōnu - Kajita - Bingo-Yasuda - Kisa - Mirasaka - Shiomachi - Kamisugi - Yatsugi - Miyoshi

Transport: Road • Chūgoku Expressway • Onomichi Expressway • Matsue Expressway • National Route 54 • National Route 183 • National Route 184 • National Route 375 • National Route 433 • National Route 434.