Nobeoka, Miyazaki


Nobeoka is a city located in the north of Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
As of the June 1, 2019, the city has an estimated population of 119,521 and a population density of 138 persons per km². The total area is 868.02 km².

History

The city was officially founded on February 11, 1933, after it gained city status. During World War II, it was one of the most important centers of military explosives in Japan. On the night of June 28-29th, 1945, 117 United States B-29s fire-bombed the city, destroying 1.35 square km, or 36% of the city. On July 16, 1945, 33 US B-24s bombed the bridges in around the city, severing the strategically important Nippō Main Line railway.
On February 20, 2006, Nobeoka absorbed the towns of Kitakata and Kitaura.
On March 31, 2007, the town of Kitagawa was also merged into Nobeoka.

Climate

Nobeoka has a humid subtropical climate, which is hot and humid in the summer and is somewhat cold in the winter with temperatures dropping to around freezing. Snowfall can be seen in the winter months, but does not accumulate because of coastal warming effects.

Economy

The city's economy depends strongly on the company Asahi Kasei, a producer of synthetic and industrial fibers. It is known regionally for its Ayu fish.

Transportation

Nobeoka is the terminal station for trains that run the length of the prefecture. It used to be the terminal station for the privately owned Takachiho line, which ran towards Kumamoto prefecture from the northeast to the northwest of the prefecture. This line was closed after a typhoon in 2005, and has not been reopened.
Nobeoka is serviced by the Higashikyushu Expressway which brings transportation time to Miyazaki City down to one hour and travel time to Ōita City down to about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Nobeoka has its own municipal bus service with routes to most destinations in the city.