Himeji is located in the central western part of the Harima Plain in the western part of Hyogo Prefecture, and is the central city of theHarima region of the prefecture. The Ichikawa River is located in the central eastern part of the city, and the Senba River and Noda River are located in the center. The Ieshima Islands in theSeto Inland Sea are within the city limits and are located off the coast of Harima Bay.The city is surrounded by the mountains and the sea.
Himeji has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Summers are significantly wetter than winters. The average annual temperature in Himeji is 15.6 °C (60.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,254.7 mm (49.40 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.8 °C (82.0 °F), and lowest in January, at around 4.4 °C (39.9 °F).[3] The highest temperature ever recorded in Himeji was 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) on 31 August 2020; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −10.0 °C (14.0 °F) on 24 January 1963.[4]
Climate data for Himeji (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1948−present)
DuringWorld War II, Himeji was a target for the United States'XXI Bomber Command as it was an important rail terminal and contained two large military zones. The first air raid occurred on June 22, 1945 at 0950, in which 60B-29 Superfortress bombers centered on an area containing aKawanishi Aircraft Company factory. The bombing killed 341 people and rendered 10,220 homeless. The second attack occurred on July 3, 1945, at 16:23, 107 aircraft dropped 767 tons ofincendiary bombs on Himeji, destroying 63.3% of the built up areas of the city.[6] However, the famous Himeji Castle, although blackened by smoke from the burning city, remained unscathed, even with one firebomb being dropped on it.[7] This attack killed 173 people, severely wounded 160, and resulted in the destruction of 10,300 buildings, rendering 45,182 people homeless.
Himeji has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city council of 46 members. Himeji contributes eight members to theHyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Hyōgo 11th and Hyōgo 12th districts of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Himeji is located within the Hanshin Industrial Area and Harima Seaside Industrial Areas. The coastal region is heavily industrialized, with steel mills, chemical plants, semiconductor and automobile electronics predominating. In addition,Kansai Electric Power's Himeji No. 1 Power Station and Himeji No. 2 Power Station are located in the area. The northern two-thirds of the city is mainly agricultural andcommercial fishing off the southern seacoast also plays a role in the economy. Traditional crafts include the production ofbutsudan (Buddhist altars), leather crafts, glue, matchmaking and candles.
Himeji lies near the famous “Golden Route” tourist itinerary, which stretches from Tokyo west to Osaka. Himeji is about 1.5 hours west of Osaka by train. Himeji faces the scenic Seto Inland Sea and boasts one of Japan’s best-preserved feudal-era castles. In the Himeji area, tourists can experience a medium-sized Japanese city away from the crowds of Osaka and other large cities.
Himeji has 66 public elementary schools, 32 public middle schools and three public high schools operated by the city government and 13 public high schools operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. There are also four private combined middle/high schools. There are also four special education school for the handicapped, one operated by the city and three by the prefecture.
Himeji istwinned or has sister city relationships with six international cities and two Japanese cities, as well as a sister castle located in France. Himeji has a particularly strong relationship withPhoenix, Arizona, as teachers from America are able to teach English abroad for 1–2 years. Additionally, theYouth Ambassador Exchange Program allows for both Japanese and American high school students to experience the cultures and languages of their respective countries for 3 weeks.[9]
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