is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 23,350 in 12,034 households and a population density of 200 persons per km2. The total area of the city is .
Geography Mihara is located in south-central Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south. The urban area is broadly divided into a fan-shaped public office/commercial district centered on Takehara Station, a harbor/industrial district centered around the port, and a townscape preservation district that includes temples and other cultural properties. Ōkunoshima, the island where a poison gas plant of the Imperial Japanese Army was located, belongs to Takehara.
Adjoining municipalities Hiroshima Prefecture Higashihiroshima Mihara Ōsakikamijima
Climate Takehara has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average annual temperature in Takehara is . The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Takehara was on 2 August 2026; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 26 February 1981.
Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Takehara in 2020 is 23,993 people. Takehara has been conducting censuses since 1960.
History The Takehara area is part of ancient Aki Province and has been settled since prehistoric times. During the Heian period, it was the location of a shōen landed estate controlled by Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto Known as a port town since the Muromachi period, it prospered as a center of the salt industry in the latter half of the Edo period under the control of Hiroshima Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the area become part of Kamo District, Hiroshima. On April 1, 1889 the village of Shimoichi was formed with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. On April 17, 1889 Shimoichi was elevated to town status to become the town of Takehara. Takehara was elevated to city status on November 3, 1958. Takehara's Special Historical District of old warehouses was selected as one of Japan's "100 Most Scenic Towns".
Government Takahara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members. Mihara, collectively with the town of Ōsakikamijima, contributes one member to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Hiroshima 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy Takehara's economy is based on agriculture, commercial fishing and food processing. The city is also promoting its historical district as a tourist destination as the "Little Kyoto of Aki".
Education Takehara has eight public elementary schools, and three public junior high schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education. Hiroshima University's Fisheries Experiment Station is located in Takehara.
Transportation Railway JR West (JR West) - Kure Line
Highways
Sister city relations - Damyang County, South Korea.
Local attractions Museums Takehara Museum Takehara Museum Kaguyahime Bamboo Princess Museum Kaguyahime Bamboo Princess Museum Masayuki Imai (Ceramic Artist) Museum Masayuki Imai (Ceramic Artist) Museum History of Takehara Museum History of Takehara Museum Ozasaya Sake Museum Ozasaya Sake Museum
Mountains and Islands Mount Asahi (Otake) Mount Asahi (Otake) Mount Kurotaki Mount Kurotaki Ōkunoshima Island Ōkunoshima Island
"Little Kyoto of Aki Province" Takehara Historical Heritage Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings in Japan Okakae Jizo Statue Okakae Jizo Statue Chosei-ji Temple Chosei-ji Temple Saihō-ji (Takehara) Temple Saiho-ji (Takehara) Temple Shoren-ji Temple Shoren-ji Temple Kodo Ebisu-do Shrine Kodo Ebisu-do Shrine
Hot spring and Sakura (Cherry Blossom Tree) Park Yusaka Onsen-kyo Yusaka Onsen-kyo Comprehensive Park Bamboo Joy Highland Comprehensive Park Bamboo Joy Highland
Festivals and Events Miyatoko Children's Festival at Tadanoumi Miyatoko Children's Festival at Tadanoumi (April) Nika Village Renge (Lotus) Festival Nika Village Renge (Lotus) Festival (April) Takehara Take (Bamboo) Festival in the Conserved Townscape Takehara Take (Bamboo) Festival in the Conserved Townscape (May) Tadanoumi Gion (Purification Ritual) Festival Tadanoumi Gion (Purification Ritual) Festival (July) Takehara Tanabata Festival Takehara Tanabata Festival (July) Tadanoumi Tenjin Yoichi Summer Festival Tadanoumi Tenjin Summer Festival (July) Takehara Sumiyoshi Shrine Sea Festival Takehara Sumiyoshi Shrine Sea Festival (August) Takehara Summer Festival Fireworks Takehara Summer Festival Fireworks (August) Fukuda Shishimai Lion DanceFukusa Shishimai Lion Dance (October) Bamboo Candle Light Festival Shokei no Michi Bamboo Candle Light Festival Shokei no Michi (October) Takehara Ekiden Takehara Ekiden (October) Rabbit Cross Country Short Running Race on Ōkunoshima Island Rabbit Cross Country Short Running Race on Ōkunoshima Island (November) Shinmeisai Fire Festival at Futamado,Tadanoumi Shinmeisai Fire Festival at Futamado,Tadanoumi (February)
Notable people from Takehara
Shōgo Hamada, singer-songwriter Hayato Ikeda, Prime Minister from 1960 - 1964 Naganori Ito, Chief development engineer of Nissan SkylineNaganori Ito - Designer's emotion over the Skyline Nissan Motor Official Website (Japanese) July 22, 2008 Masataka Taketsuru, founder of Japan's whisky industry
In popular culture Takehara is the setting for the slice-of-life anime series Tamayura.Takehara: Home of Tamayura Massan - NHK Asadora (morning drama) television series inspired by the life of Taketsuru and his wife Rita
References
External links
Takehara City official website