Okayama City | The Short Summary Of Okayama-shi

日本の名所sightseeings in japan

Okayama City / The Short Summary Of Okayama-shi

Okayama City is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture, its population is over 700,000. So Okayama City is the polilical center of Okayama Prifecture. Moreover currently transportation systems are excitingly developing around the city, the Okayama Airport operates flights both domesticand international flights, rail systems include bullet trains extend in all directions, so Okayama is developing as an important transportation hub among the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.

The geographical location of Okayama city is also exciting. It is located on the center among Chugoku and Shikokiu region. Besides Okayama city is formed on the center of the Okayama Plain on the middle of Asahikawa river and Yoshiikawa river, so the southern area of the city is fertil land and the moutain range connecting to Kibi Heighland is spreading in the north. Chugoku Mountains stops the severe winter wind from north, Inland Seas Of Japan bring warm winds from south. In addition, Shikoku Mountains is the natural barrier that weaken typhoons approaching in summer. Those geographical factors give Okayama mild climate thoughout a year, and Okayama is sometimes called 'Hare no KUni' ( The Province having fine weather).

Asahikawa river and Yoshiikawa river passing through the Okayama city, and Takahashigawa river flows near the city, these three rivers bring much water resources and rich soils, so peopla has settled there since 22,000 years ago. There are many historical sites related to Kibi Culture and many burial mound in the west part of Okayama city. In the ancient ages, Okayama was belonged to Kibi Kingdom, that has been as floursihed as Chikushi, Izumo, Yamato and Keno Kingdom, and Kibi Kingdom contributed that it helped Yamato to unite Japan as one strong state. After that, nontheless Yamato divided the territory of Kibi Kingdom into three to weaken its power. The capital of Bizen province (one of the three) was set on Okayama city. Though the capital was in Okayama, Fukuoka (now Osafune-cho) was the center of Bizen province in the middle ages.

In The Sengoku Period (the Warring State Period) of 1573, Naoie Ukita, one of the powerful and clever Sengoku Bushos move to Ishiyamajo Castle from Numajo Castle and he and his son Hideie Ukita continued to build the castle and the castle town, it contributed building the foundation having development of Okayama City. After Hideie Ukita was defeated in the Battle Of Sekigahara, Kobayakawa clan then Ikeda clan moved to Okayama Castle. In 1700, Tsunamasa Ikeda built Korakuen garden.and was a seigneur. Expensive Ikeda Mitsumasa was 315,000 stones, and wise monarch's honour was a seigneur by territorial transfer between Ikeda family in 1632 (1632), and achievements was left for a promotion of learning and reform of domain duties. Genroku is building one Korakuen in Japan 3 beautiful garden in 13 (1700) for Tsunamasa of the child. A generation after generation Ikeda family was a seigneur after that, and Meiji restoration was met. After Meiji Restoration, the classical districts were rebuilt, and a new administrative district 'Okayama' was created in July 14th of 1871.

The city name Okayama was named after a small hill where the Okayamajo Castle stands on, originally, the hill had been called Okayama before the castle was built. After Hideie Ukita built it, the castle town gradually formed and the town was also called Okayama in 1594.

Why don't you visit Okayama?

参考
岡山市ホームページ
岡山市観光協会ホームページ
岡山県ホームページ
デジタル大辞林
ブリタニカ国際大百科事典
ウィッキペディア

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