Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Nobeoka (延岡市, Nobeoka-shi) is a city located in the north of Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

History The city was officially founded on February 11, 1933, after it gained city status. During World War II, it was one of the most important centres of military explosives in Japan. On the night of June 28-29th, 1945, 117 United States B-29s fire-bombed the city, destroying 1.35 square km, or 36% of the city. On July 16, 1945, 33 US B-24s bombed the bridges in around the city, severing the strategically important Nippō Main Line railway.

On February 20, 2006, Nobeoka absorbed the towns of Kitakata and Kitaura (both from Higashiusuki District).

On March 31, 2007, the town of Kitagawa (also from Higashiusuki District) was also merged into Nobeoka.

Surrounding municipalities Miyazaki Prefecture • Kadogawa • Misato • Hinokage.

Ōita Prefecture • Saiki.

Economy The city's economy depends strongly on the company Asahi Kasei, a producer of synthetic and industrial fibers. It is known regionally for its Ayu fish.

Imayama Buddhist Statue in Soryo area

Transportation

Nobeoka is the terminal station for trains that run the length of the prefecture (although some trains do continue up into Ōita prefecture). It used to be the terminal station for the privately owned Takachiho line, which ran towards Kumamoto prefecture from the north-east to the north-west of the prefecture. This line was closed after a typhoon in 2005, and has not been reopened.

Nobeoka is serviced by the Higashikyushu Expressway which brings transportation time to Miyazaki City down to one hour and travel time to Ōita City down to about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Nobeoka has its own municipal bus service with routes to most destinations in the city.

Tourism

Notable places • Nobeoka Castle - A castle ruin, one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.