Niimi (新見市, Niimi-shi) is a city located in northwestern Okayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2023[update], the city had an estimated population of 27,106 in 12626 households.[1]and a population density of 34 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 793.29 square kilometres (306.29 sq mi)
Geography
Niimi is located on a karst plateau in the Chugoku Mountains in northeast Okayama Prefecture. More than 85% of the city area is mountainous, with Mount Hanami is the highest peak at 1188 meters. Due to they rugged terrain, there are many waterfalls, dams, hot springs and multiple limestone caves in the city. The main urban area is located on the upper reaches of the Takahashi River (110.7 kilometres (68.8 mi).[2][3][4]
Aerial photograph of Niimi city centerNiimi City Office
Niimi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Niimi is 12.4 °C (54.3 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,361.1 mm (53.59 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.5 °C (76.1 °F), and lowest in January, at around 1.1 °C (34.0 °F).[5] The highest temperature ever recorded in Niimi was 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) on 7 August 1994; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −14.9 °C (5.2 °F) on 28 February 1981.[6]
Climate data for Niimi (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Niimi was part of ancient Bitchū Province and was divided between Aga District and Tetsuta District by the Takahashi River. It appears in documentary records as early as the Heian period (794–1185) when a shōen manorial estate called Niimi-shō' occupied much of the area of present-day Niimi. In the middle of the Kamakura period, the Niimi clan, served as jito of northern Bitchū and built a castle at Niimi as their residence. After that, the area became the territory of Tō-ji temple in Kyoto and later was under the control of the Amago clan during the Sengoku period. During the early Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of Bitchū-Matsuyama Domain and developed as an important center of inland trade, due to its connection by the Takahashi River with the jōkamachi of Matsuyama.[4]In 1697, the Tokugawa Shogunate established Niimi Domain, which was ruled by the Seki clan to the Meiji restoration. The village of Niimi was established on July 22, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on February 26, 1896. Most of the town was destroyed by a fire on April 15, 1938. Niimi was raised to city status on June 1, 1954.
Niimi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. The city contributes one member to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Okayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
The city is served by Niimi Kōritsu Tanki Daigaku, known in English as Niimi College. Niimi has 17 public elementary schools and seven public junior high schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school, and the prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
Transportation
Railway
Niimi is an important railway center.[10] The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station.
^"高梁川" [Takahashi River]. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC683276033. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
^ abc"新見" [Niimi]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC56431036. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
^ abc"新見" [Niimi]. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC683276033. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
.svg){kind=logo}
