Nichinan, Miyazaki

{{stack|File:Aerial photograph of Obi District 2020.jpg}}

Nichinan is located in the southern part of Miyazaki Prefecture on Japan's southernmost main island, Kyūshū. It is surrounded by the Wanizuka mountain range on the north, east and south, and faces the Hyūga Sea to the east. Much of the city is within the borders of Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park. Approximately 78% of the city's area is forest, much of which is occupied by the Obi cedar, a specialty tree. The Sakatanigawa River runs through the city from east to west. This river joins the Hiroto River near its mouth and flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Nichinan has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Nichinan is {{convert|18.4|C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|2763.8|mm}} with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{convert|27.8|C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{convert|8.9|C}}. The highest temperature ever recorded in Nichinan was {{cvt|38.1|C}} on 2 August 2013; the coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-5.1|C}} on 24 January 1976.

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|collapsed = Y

|single line = Y

|metric first = Y

|location = Port Aburatsu, Nichinan (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1949−present)

|Jan record high C = 26.3

|Feb record high C = 24.7

|Mar record high C = 29.4

|Apr record high C = 30.0

|May record high C = 33.0

|Jun record high C = 34.5

|Jul record high C = 37.5

|Aug record high C = 38.1

|Sep record high C = 36.2

|Oct record high C = 32.5

|Nov record high C = 29.9

|Dec record high C = 24.3

|Jan record low C = -5.1

|Feb record low C = -4.6

|Mar record low C = -2.7

|Apr record low C = 0.1

|May record low C = 7.4

|Jun record low C = 12.5

|Jul record low C = 16.7

|Aug record low C = 17.5

|Sep record low C = 11.6

|Oct record low C = 4.4

|Nov record low C = -0.7

|Dec record low C = -4.8

|Jan high C = 13.6

|Feb high C = 14.6

|Mar high C = 17.3

|Apr high C = 21.2

|May high C = 24.6

|Jun high C = 26.6

|Jul high C = 30.8

|Aug high C = 31.5

|Sep high C = 28.9

|Oct high C = 24.9

|Nov high C = 20.4

|Dec high C = 15.7

|Jan mean C = 8.9

|Feb mean C = 10.0

|Mar mean C = 12.9

|Apr mean C = 16.9

|May mean C = 20.6

|Jun mean C = 23.4

|Jul mean C = 27.2

|Aug mean C = 27.8

|Sep mean C = 25.3

|Oct mean C = 20.9

|Nov mean C = 15.9

|Dec mean C = 10.9

|Jan low C = 4.6

|Feb low C = 5.6

|Mar low C = 8.5

|Apr low C = 12.6

|May low C = 16.8

|Jun low C = 20.6

|Jul low C = 24.4

|Aug low C = 24.9

|Sep low C = 22.3

|Oct low C = 17.4

|Nov low C = 12.0

|Dec low C = 6.6

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 83.9

|Feb precipitation mm = 132.5

|Mar precipitation mm = 193.2

|Apr precipitation mm = 236.7

|May precipitation mm = 247.6

|Jun precipitation mm = 564.7

|Jul precipitation mm = 310.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 230.8

|Sep precipitation mm = 307.1

|Oct precipitation mm = 227.8

|Nov precipitation mm = 137.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 92.1

|year precipitation mm = 2763.8

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 6.4

|Feb precipitation days = 7.7

|Mar precipitation days = 11.3

|Apr precipitation days = 10.7

|May precipitation days = 10.6

|Jun precipitation days = 16.6

|Jul precipitation days = 11.4

|Aug precipitation days = 12.4

|Sep precipitation days = 12.4

|Oct precipitation days = 8.8

|Nov precipitation days = 7.8

|Dec precipitation days = 5.6

|humidity colour= green

|Jan humidity = 63

|Feb humidity = 65

|Mar humidity = 67

|Apr humidity = 70

|May humidity = 74

|Jun humidity = 82

|Jul humidity = 80

|Aug humidity = 80

|Sep humidity = 78

|Oct humidity = 73

|Nov humidity = 71

|Dec humidity = 66

|Jan sun = 169.3

|Feb sun = 151.5

|Mar sun = 161.1

|Apr sun = 166.7

|May sun = 167.3

|Jun sun = 109.3

|Jul sun = 188.8

|Aug sun = 202.4

|Sep sun = 154.9

|Oct sun = 161.0

|Nov sun = 154.0

|Dec sun = 165.1

|year sun = 1951.4

|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency{{cite web

| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=87&block_no=47835&year=&month=&day=&view=h0

|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）

| publisher = JMA

| access-date = May 17, 2022}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=87&block_no=47835&year=&month=&day=&view=h0

|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）

| publisher = JMA

| access-date = May 17, 2022}}}}

Per Japanese census data, the population of Nichinan in 2020 is 50,848 people. Nichinan has been conducting censuses since 1920.

{{Historical populations

| 1920 | 50385

| 1925 | 52794

| 1930 | 56867

| 1935 | 60770

| 1940 | 62663

| 1945 | 79267

| 1950 | 84225

| 1955 | 86889

| 1960 | 85279

| 1965 | 78398

| 1970 | 72231

| 1975 | 70768

| 1980 | 72785

| 1985 | 71535

| 1990 | 68176

| 1995 | 65809

| 2000 | 63421

| 2005 | 60914

| 2010 | 57702

| 2015 | 54090

| 2020 | 50848

|align = none

|cols = 2

|footnote = Nichinan population statistics[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/miyazaki/ Nichinan population statistics]

}}

The area of Nichinan was part of ancient Hyūga Province. During the Sengoku period, the area was ruled by the Itō clan based at Obi Castle and the site of numerous battles with the neighbouring Shimazu clan. The Shimazu clan had unified Satsuma Province and Ōsumi Province under its control, and began to clash with the Itō in 1570. The Itō were finally defeated by the Shimazu clan in 1578. After seeking help from the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the family's lands were restored in 1587 after his invasion of Kyūshū. By the Edo Era, the Itō clan ruled as daimyō of Obi Domain, and the present-day city borders roughly correspond to the holdings of the domain. The domain was noted for the quality of its han school, one of whose graduates was the Meiji period diplomat Marquis Komura Jutarō.

The town of Aburatsu and the villages of Agata, Obi, Hosoda, Nangō and Tōgō were established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Obi was raised to town status on January 1, 1900, followed by Nangō on December 1, 1940, Hosoda on January 1, 1941 and Agata on May 3, 1950. On January 1, 1950, the city of Nichinan was established through an amalgamation of the towns of Agata, Aburatsu, and Obi, and the village of Tōgō. On February 1, 1955, Futo village and Hosoda town joined the city. On April 1, 1956, Nichinan absorbed Sakatani village, Kahara village, and the Odotsu district.

Since 1963, Nichinan has been the spring training location for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team.

In 1999, a 12-meter wharf was completed at the eastern head of Aburatsu port. Aburatsu's increasing role as a harbor has made it a regular stopover for both domestic and foreign ships,{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} and it is becoming an authentic international trading port. From 2001 to 2010, a general plan for the future of Nichinan was drawn up, with the simple theme of progressing Nichinan as, "a city that combines its fragrant history and culture with the sunshine and lush green mountains."{{citation needed|date=April 2011}}

During the nationwide round of Heisei-era mergers, the {{Nihongo|Nichinan-Kitagō-Nangō Merger Association|日南市・北郷町・南郷町合併協議会|Nichinan-shi-Kitagō-chō-Nangō-chō Gappei Kyōgikai}} was formed in August 2004 by the area's residents to consider the merger of the three municipalities. The group was dissolved in May 2005 when the Kitagō Town Council vetoed the proposed merger bill despite support for the merger by residents in both Kitagō and Nangō towns.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} The association was reconstituted on September 28, 2007, when merger supporters in both towns gained majorities on their respective town councils.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} On March 30, 2009, the three municipalities agreed to merge and become the new city of Nichinan.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}}

On August 8, 2024 at 16:22 JST, the 7.1 {{M|w|link=y}} 2024 Hyūga-nada earthquake struck in the Hyūga Sea off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, {{cvt|20|km|mi|abbr=off}} northeast of Nichinan.{{cite anss|M 7.1 - 20 km NE of Nichinan, Japan|2024|us6000nith}} Nichinan experienced seismic intensity of 6- on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.{{cite web|date=8 August 2024|title=Earthquake information|url=https://www.data.jma.go.jp/multi/quake/quake_detail.html?eventID=20240808165502&lang=en|access-date=8 August 2024|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency}}

Nichinan has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 19 members. Nichinan contributes two members to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the pillars of the local economy. Commercial fishing of bonito was designated as a Japanese agricultural heritage in 2021 and Katsuomeshi, a dish of bonito sashimi served with soy sauce, is a noted local dish. Mandarin oranges, ponkan, sweet peas, green peppers, kumquats, and rice are the main agricultural products of Nichinan.

Nichinan has 14 public elementary schools, seven public junior high schools and three combined elementary/middle schools operated by the city, and two public high schools operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private junior high school and one private high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

{{ric|JR Kyushu|name=y}} - Nichinan Line

• {{STN|Ibii|x}} - {{STN|Kitagō|x}} - {{STN|Uchinoda|x}} - {{STN|Obi|x}} - {{STN|Nichinan|x}} - {{STN|Aburatsu|x}} - {{STN|Ōdōtsu|x}} - {{STN|Nangō|x}} - {{STN|Taninokuchi|x}} - {{STN|Yowara|x}}

• File:JP Expressway E78.svg Higashikyushu Expressway
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|220}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|222}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|448}}

There are seven kindergartens, 14 elementary schools, 11 junior high schools, and three high schools located within the city.

• {{flagicon|Japan}} Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, since April 24, 1969
• {{flagicon|USA}} Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States, since September 5, 1985
• {{flagicon|Japan}} Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, since August 10, 2000
• {{flagicon|Australia}} Albany, Western Australia, Australia, since November 17, 2010

• The Obi district of Nichinan was the location for the NHK television series "Wakaba" broadcast from September 2004 to March 2005.

There are three major yearly festivals in Nichinan:

• {{nihongo|Chikkō-en Sakura Festival|竹香園桜まつり}}: This festival typically occurs between late March and early April when the approximately 1,000 cherry trees of Chikkō-en come into bloom.
• {{nihongo|Aburatsu Port Festival|油津港まつり}}: This festival at the port of Aburatsu features Japanese rowing and shihanmato (bow and arrow) competitions. Usually held the third weekend of July, there are also street stalls, a fireworks display, and tours of a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel.
• {{nihongo|Obi Castle Festival|飫肥城下まつり}}: Held the third weekend of October in the former Obi Town, this Edo period festival features a procession of warriors, the traditional Nichinan Taihei dance, and princesses of the festival among the many public events.

Other events include spring and autumn training for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team, swimming and marathon events, and monthly morning markets held at Aburatsu port and in front of Nichinan City Hall.

File:Udo Jingu from Tamabashi.jpg

• {{nihongo|Udo Shrine|鵜戸神宮|Udo jingū}}: A shrine built in a cave on a cliff on the coast. According to myth, the main deity of the shrine is the father of the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jinmu. Visitors pray at the shrine for success in matchmaking and safe childbirth. Below the cliff there is a huge rock shaped like a turtle. It is said that one's wishes will be granted if one can throw a stone into the depression in the center.

• {{nihongo|Obi Castle|飫肥城|Obi-jō}}: The main gate of the castle was restored with 100-year-old Obi cedar in 1978. In the castle, the samurai's mansion, the storehouse, and the white-walled merchant building still remain. The castle town produced 51,000 koku of rice. Because of its many cultural and historic landmarks, it is called the "Little Kyoto" of Kyūshū.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} The Obi castle town has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Japan.{{Cite web |title=日南市飫肥（宮崎県） |url=https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/hozonchiku/pdf/93738601_118.pdf |access-date=July 26, 2023 |website=Agency for Cultural Affairs |language=Japanese}}
• {{nihongo|Matsuo no Maru|松尾の丸}}: A replica of the original palace reconstructed using 100-year-old Obi cedar.
• {{nihongo|Horikawa Canal District|堀河運河周辺|Horikawa unga shūhen}}: A restored canal district in Aburatsu known as the location for the movie Otoko wa tsurai yo.{{which|date=March 2018}} The canal is 900 meters long and was built at the beginning of the Edo period in 1685. The main purpose of its construction was to transport Obi cedar safely down to the port from inland logging areas.
• {{nihongo|Tsu no mine|津の峯}}: A mountain looking out over the port of Aburatsu. Locally, it is called the watchtower mountain, and in the Second World War it became an air raid watchtower. It was also used as a weather forecasting mountain by fleets of ships based at Aburatsu Port during the days of the Obi clan. The ships used the summit of the harbor as a marker and made their way into Aburatsu Port.

File:おび天.jpg (fish cake) in Nichinan City]]

Other points of interest include:

• {{nihongo|Merchant House Museum|商家資料館|shōka shiryōkan}}:
• {{nihongo|Shintoku Domain School|藩校 振徳堂|hankō shintoku-dō}}
• {{nihongo|International Exchange Center and Komura Memorial Hall|国際交流センター小村記念館|kokusai kōryū sentā komura kinenkan}}
• {{nihongo|Former Home of Itō Denzaemon|旧伊東伝左衛門家|kyū-Itō Denzaemon-ke}}
• {{nihongo|Horikawa Bridge|堀河橋|Horikawa-bashi}}
• {{nihongo|Horikawa Museum|堀河資料館|Horikawa shiryōkan}}
• {{nihongo|Red Brick Hall|赤レンガ館|Aka renga kan}}
• {{nihongo|Izakibana Park|猪崎鼻公園|Izakibana kōen}}
• {{nihongo|Sun Messe Nichinan|サンメッセ日南}}

{{Reflist}}

• "Visiting Nichinan", pamphlet, Nichinan Tourism Association, 2007.

{{Commons category|Nichinan, Miyazaki}}

• [http://www.city.nichinan.lg.jp Nichinan City official website] {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCS5v-8c4sdnHou2unsaVWlw Nichinan City Official YouTube Channel] (in Japanese)
• [http://www.jnto.go.jp/tourism/en/94.html Japanese National Tourist Organization] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Miyazaki}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Miyazaki Prefecture

Category:Port settlements in Japan

Category:Populated coastal places in Japan