This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, seeOkayama Prefecture. For other uses, seeOkayama (disambiguation).
Okayama (岡山市,Okayama-shi;Japanese:[okaꜜjama]) is thecapitalcity ofOkayama Prefecture in theChūgoku region ofJapan. The Okayama metropolitan area, centered around the city, has the largest urban employment zone in the Chugoku region of western Japan. The city was founded on June 1, 1889.[1] As of February 2023[update], the city has an estimated population of 700,940 and a population density of 890 people per km2.[2] The total area is 789.95 square kilometres (305.00 square miles).
The city is the site ofKōraku-en, known as one of the top three traditional gardens in Japan, andOkayama Castle, which is ranked among the best 100Japanese castles.[3] The city is famous as the setting of the JapanesefableMomotarō.[4] Okayama joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2016.
In the late 16th century, during theSengoku period (also called the Warring states period),Ukita Naoie consolidated a stronghold atIshiyama beside theAsahi River. His successor,Ukita Hideie, shifted the main enclosure to the hill called "Okayama" and completedOkayama Castle, traditionally dated to 1597; hydrological works redirected river channels to serve as moats, and a castle town was laid out on a north–south axis.[5] After theBattle of Sekigahara,Kobayakawa Hideaki became the lord of theOkayama Domain and reconfigured the outer defenses, including the Hatsuka-bori (an outer moat reputedly finished in twenty days) and gates that defined the city's perimeter.[6]Ikeda Tadatugu, who was the feudal lord ofHimeji Domain, became the next lord of Okayama. TheIkeda clan subsequently ruled Okayama and expanded the castle town.[5]
On August 29, 1871, the newMeiji government of theEmpire of Japan replaced the traditionalfeudal domain system with centralized government authority. Okayama became the capital of Okayama Prefecture. In 1889, Okayama City was founded with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. In theMeiji period, aSan'yo Main Line railroad and other local lines greatly enhanced the development of the city. The Sixth Higher Middle School (第六高等学校,Dairoku Kōtōgakkō) and Okayama Medical College (岡山医科大学,Okayama Ika-daigaku) were established in Okayama City.
With modern state formation, the city developed as a regional hub for transport and education in western Japan.[7]
Okayama after World War II
WhenWorld War II began, Okayama city was a garrison city for theImperial Japanese Army.[citation needed] During the war, the city was bombed by the American forces. On 29 June 1945, air raids burned much of the urban core; the castle keep was lost.[5][6] More than 1700 people were killed.[citation needed]
Postwar rebuilding reestablished the central districts on the former castle-town grid. Landmarks of the modern center include the Yanagawa rotary (1959) and large-scale redevelopment in Nakasange continuing into the 21st century.[6] Okayama Castle’s keep was reconstructed in 1966, restoring the “Ujō” (“Crow Castle”) silhouette above the Asahi River.[5]
During Japan's economic boom of the 1960s, Okayama developed rapidly as one of the most important cities in the Chūgoku andShikoku regions. In 1972, theSan'yō Shinkansen began service betweenShin-Ōsaka andOkayama stations. Two years later, Shinkansen service was extended toHakata. In 1988, theSeto-Ōhashi Bridge was opened, and connected Okayama with Shikoku directly by rail and road.
On March 22, 2005 the town ofMitsu (fromMitsu District), and the town ofNadasaki (fromKojima District) were merged into Okayama. This was followed on January 22, 2007 when the town ofTakebe (from Mitsu District), and the town ofSeto (fromAkaiwa District) were merged into Okayama. Kojima, Mitsu, and Akaiwa Districts have all since been dissolved as a result of these mergers.
The city of Okayama is located in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture, which is located in western part of the island ofHonshū. The northern part of the city forms a corner of Kibi Plateau, which is a series of gentle hills, and includes the Asahikawa Dam, Okayama Airport, and a suburban residential area. The central urban area is located on the Okayama Plain in the south, which was formed by the transportation and sedimentation of two first-class rivers, theAsahi River andYoshii River, which flow into theSeto Inland Sea. To the south of the main urban area is Kojima Bay, which forms the scenic Kojima Peninsula overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
Okayama has a mild climate in comparison to most of Japan. It has the most rain-free days (less than 1mm of precipitation) of any city in Japan. It is ranked as the second driest and the fourth sunniest city in the Chūgoku region.[9] The climate is classified under theKöppen climate classification ashumid subtropical (Cfa).[10]
The local climate is warm enough throughout the year to supportolive trees. Okayama is often called "Land of Sunshine" because of its low number of rainy days per year.[11]
Climate data for Okayama (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1891−present)
Okayama has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city legislature of 46 members. The city contributes 19 members to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between of the Okayama 1st District, Okayama 2nd District and Okayama 3rd District of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
The city is located in the Okayama Plain, where rice, eggplant, and white Chinese chives are notable products.[14] White peaches and grapes are cultivated in the mountainous, northern part of the city.
In 2005, the city's gross domestic product was 800 billion yen,[15] nearly 10% of the GDP ofOkayama Prefecture.
Greater Okayama, OkayamaMetropolitan Employment Area, has a GDP of US$63.1 billion as of 2010.[16][17] The main industries are machine tools, chemicals, foodstuffs and printing. Kōnan, a district in the southern part of the city, is the most developed industrial zone.
Okayama is the core of the Okayama metropolitan area, which includes the cities ofKurashiki andSōja. The main commercial district is Omotechō, nearOkayama Castle andKōraku-en, and the area surroundingOkayama Station. Omotechō has many covered shopping arcades.
The headquarters ofAeon Corporation, a private English language school with more than 3,000 employees, is located in Okayama.[18]
Okayama University, founded as a medical school in 1870 and established in 1949 as a national university,[19] is in the city. Today, Okayama University is Okayama's largest university, with 8 faculties and seven graduate schools.[20]
Seven bus companies provide service within the city limits:Bihoku Bus (備北バス),Chūtetsu Bus (中鉄バス),Okaden Bus (岡電バス),Ryōbi Bus (両備バス),Shimoden Bus (下電バス),Tōbi Bus (東備バス), andUno Bus (宇野バス).
TheSanyo Shimbun is the localnewspaper serving the greater Okayama area. There are six television stations serving the Okayama area and part ofKagawa Prefecture. Three FM and three AM radio stations also serve the region.
Okayama has many sports teams. In recent years,volleyball teamOkayama Seagulls andfootball clubFagiano Okayama have been established. In 2009, Fagiano Okayama gained promotion to theJ.League, the highest football league in Japan.
Kōraku-en, known as one of the three best traditional gardens in Japan, lies south of the castle grounds. Kōrakuen was constructed byIkeda Tsunamasa over 14 years, and completed in 1700.
Every August since 1994, Okayama has seen the Momotarō Matsuri (Festival), which is an amalgam of three different festivals, including theUraja 'ogre' festival, which is a kind ofYosakoi dance.
Okayama has several traditional dishes.Barazushi, a dish made with sushi rice, contains fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea.Kibi dango (Okayama) (吉備団子) gel-like balls made from a powder ofmillet and rice, are well known sweets from the area.
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