Niimi, Okayama

"Niimi" redirects here. For the surname, see Niimi (surname).

Niimi 新見市
City
Location of Niimi in Okayama Prefecture Location of Niimi in Okayama Prefecture
Niimi Location in Japan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Chūgoku (San'yō)
Prefecture	Okayama Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Masao Ishigaki (since 1994)
Area
• Total	793.27 km2 (306.28 sq mi)
Population (March 31, 2011)
• Total	34,035
• Density	42.90/km2 (111.1/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Chamaecyparis
• Flower	Azalea
• Bird	Cettia diphone
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address	Niimi 310-3, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture (岡山県新見市新見310-3) 718-0011

Niimi (新見市, Niimi-shi) is a city located in northwestern Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,035 (16,200 males, 17,835 females), with 13,077 households and a population density of 42.90 persons per km². The total area is 793.27 km². Niimi is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River (110.7 kilometres (68.8 mi).

History

Niimi was known as early as the Heian period (794 – 1185). A shōen manorial estate called Niimi-shō' occupied much of the area of present-day Niimi. Niimi, due to its location on the Takashi River, became an important center of inland trade. In the Sengoku period (1467 – 1573) the Seki clan controlled the area, and established the Niimi Domain. The modern city of Niimi was founded on June 1, 1954.

On March 31, 2005, Niimi absorbed the towns of Ōsa, Shingō, Tessei and Tetta (all from Atetsu District) to become a larger and expanded Niimi.

Attractions

Niimi is known for its limestone caves. They include:

• Ikura-do Cave
• Maki-do Cave
• Rashomon

• RASHOMON1.JPG

  Rashomon Stone Arch Gate

• Ikuradou.jpg

  Ikurado Cave

• MAKIDOH1.JPG

  Makido Cave

• NIIMI-MUSIAM.JPG

  Niimi Museum

Economy

Niimi was historically known for its iron sand quarries and the production of wagyu beef. The principle industries in modern Niimi are limestone quarrying, cement production, forestry, and tourism. Yamasa Company, Ltd., a producer of pachinko slot machines, is headquartered in the city. Farms in Niimi produce tobacco, peaches, and beef.

Education

The city is served by Niimi Kōritsu Tanki Daigaku, known in English as Niimi College.

Transportation

Rail

Niimi is an important railway center. The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station.

• Geibi Line (Niimi -- Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture)
  • Niimi Station -- Nunohara Station -- Bitchū Kōjiro Station -- Sakane Station -- Ichioka Station -- Yagami Station -- Nochi Station
• Kishin Line (Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture—Niimi)
  • Osakabe Station -- Tajibe Station -- Iwayama Station—Niimi Station.
• Hakubi Line (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture -- Yonago, Tottori Prefecture)
  • Ikura Station -- Ishiga Station—Niimi Station—Nunohara Station—Bitchū-Kōjiro Station -- Ashidachi Station -- Niizato Station

Bus

• Niimi Municipal Bus (新見市営バス, Niimi Chōei Basu)
• Bihoku Bus Company, Ltd. (備北バス, Bihoku Basu)

Highway

• Chūgoku Expressway
• Japan National Route 180
• Japan National Route 182

Sister/Friendship cities

Niimi maintains the following Sister/Friendship Cities.

• New Paltz, New York, United States since 1998.
• Sidney-by-the-Sea, British Columbia, Canada since 2008.
• Xinyang, People's Republic of China since 1992.

External links

• Niimi City official website (Japanese)