Tsuyama, Okayama
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Okayama
, Japan
.
As of 2003, the city had an estimated population
of 89,974 and the density
of 484.43 persons per km². The total area was 185.73 km². The area increased in 2005 as the result of a merger with adjacent towns, which also boosted the city's population to more than 100,000.
The city was founded on February 11, 1929.
Tsuyama is known for the 17th-century Tsuyama Castle
, whose grandeur was said to rival that of Himeji Castle
in neighboring Hyōgo Prefecture
. The castle was destroyed in 1874, and today only the stone foundations remain, save for a single turret that was reconstructed in 2005. The castle ruins remain Tsuyama's main tourist attraction along with Joto Street, a narrow street of old, traditional buildings that was once part of the pilgrimage route from Kyoto
to Izumo
, and Shurakuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden
constructed in 1657.
The 1938 Tsuyama massacre
, in which 21-year-old Mutsuo Toi murdered 30 people in the course of one and a half hours, took place in a village near Tsuyama which became part of the city of Tsuyama in 2005. It was considered for several decades to be the world's largest massacre committed by a single criminal.
On February 28, 2005 the town of Kamo
, the village of Aba
, both from Tomata District
, the town of Shōboku
, from Katsuta District
, and the town of Kume
, from Kume District
, were merged into the city of Tsuyama.
(to Okayama), the Kishin Line
(to Himeji and Niimi), and the Inbi Line
(to Tottori
). All services are operated by JR West. Tsuyama is one of the major cities along the Chugoku Expressway
. As with many Japanese cities, cycling is a very common form of transport, particularly among school students.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in Okayama
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As of 2003, the city had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 89,974 and the density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 484.43 persons per km². The total area was 185.73 km². The area increased in 2005 as the result of a merger with adjacent towns, which also boosted the city's population to more than 100,000.
The city was founded on February 11, 1929.
Tsuyama is known for the 17th-century Tsuyama Castle
Tsuyama Castle
is a castle in Sange, Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. It had been the government office of Tsuyama Clan during the Edo period.File:Tuyama castle tensyudai.JPG|Ruins of BergfriedFile:Tsuyama Castle02n3200.jpg|Stone wall and Bitchū-yagura....
, whose grandeur was said to rival that of Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle
When the han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was put up for auction. The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident for 23 Japanese yen...
in neighboring Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
. The castle was destroyed in 1874, and today only the stone foundations remain, save for a single turret that was reconstructed in 2005. The castle ruins remain Tsuyama's main tourist attraction along with Joto Street, a narrow street of old, traditional buildings that was once part of the pilgrimage route from Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
to Izumo
Izumo Province
was an old province of Japan which today consists of the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. It was sometimes called . The province is in the Chūgoku Region.- History :It was one of the regions of ancient Japan where major political powers arose...
, and Shurakuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden
Japanese garden
, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
constructed in 1657.
The 1938 Tsuyama massacre
Tsuyama massacre
The was a spree killing that occurred on 21 May 1938 in the rural village of Kaio close to Tsuyama city in Okayama, Japan.Mutsuo Toi, a 21-year-old man, killed 30 people, including his grandmother, with a shotgun, Japanese sword, and axe, and seriously injured three others before killing himself...
, in which 21-year-old Mutsuo Toi murdered 30 people in the course of one and a half hours, took place in a village near Tsuyama which became part of the city of Tsuyama in 2005. It was considered for several decades to be the world's largest massacre committed by a single criminal.
On February 28, 2005 the town of Kamo
Kamo, Okayama
was a town located in Tomata District, Okayama, Japan.On February 28, 2005 Kamo, along with the village of Aba, from Tomata District, the town of Shōboku, from Katsuta District, and the town of Kume, from Kume District, was merged into the expanded city of Tsuyama and no longer exists as an...
, the village of Aba
Aba, Okayama
was a village located in the north of Tomata District, Okayama, Japan, sharing a border with Tottori Prefecture.On February 28, 2005 Aba, along with the town of Kamo, from Tomata District, the town of Shōboku, from Katsuta District, and the town of Kume, from Kume District, was merged into the...
, both from Tomata District
Tomata District, Okayama
Tomata is a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 20,631 and a density of 33.22 persons per km²...
, the town of Shōboku
Shoboku, Okayama
was a town located in Katsuta District, Okayama, Japan.On February 28, 2005 Shōboku, along with the town of Kamo, the village of Aba, both from Tomata District, and the town of Kume, from Kume District, was merged into the expanded city of Tsuyama and no longer exists as an independent...
, from Katsuta District
Katsuta District, Okayama
Katsuta is a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of May 1, 2004, the population was 17,888. The area is 123.63 km².-History:Prior to February 28, Katsuta District consisted of:*Katsuta*Nagi*Shōboku*Shōō...
, and the town of Kume
Kume, Okayama
was a town located in Kume District, Okayama, Japan.On February 28, 2005 Kume, along with the town of Kamo, the village of Aba, both from Tomata District, and the town of Shōboku, from Katsuta District, was merged into the expanded city of Tsuyama and no longer exists as an independent...
, from Kume District
Kume District, Okayama
Kume is a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 30,640 and a density of 79.56 persons per km². The total area is 385.14 km².-Merger:...
, were merged into the city of Tsuyama.
Festivals
- Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) - This event is held in Kakuzan Park where around 5000 cherry blossomSakuraA cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is sometimes called sakura after the Japanese . Many of the varieties that have been cultivated for ornamental use do not produce fruit...
trees attract people from all over western Japan. - Gongo Festival (First Saturday and Sunday of August) - The Gongo, or Kappa, is a fictitious animal said to live in rivers. The festival is based around the legend that the Gongo can be seen in the Yoshii River in summer. Local people congregate on the banks of the river wearing traditional Japanese clothing and eat and drink at the many temporary stalls set up there. The festival culminates in a spectacular firework display on the Sunday evening.
- Tsuyama Autumn Festival (Mid to late October) - Many people parade through the town pulling danjiriDanjiri MatsuriDanjiri Matsuri are cart-pulling festivals held in Japan. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is probably the most famous.-The danjiri cart:Danjiri are large wooden carts in the shape of a shrine or temple. The carts, often being crafted out of wood, are very ornate, with elaborate carvings...
. - Lion Dance Festival (October 17) - The Lion Dance Festival, held at Takata Shrine, began around 710 A.D. to thank the gods for a good harvest. A male and female lion, each controlled by twelve dancers, perform a soul-stirring dance imitating a struggle. The lions keep time with a flute and drum. The dance is believed to drive away the devil and impurity.
- Old Izumo Street Festival (Beginnining of November on Sunday) - A festival on Joto Street during which they wear traditional clothes and open a theater, tea houses, and various stalls.
Attractions
- Kakuzan Park (鶴山公園 Kakuzan Kouen)
- Shurakuen Garden (衆楽園 Shurakuen)
- Joto Street
- Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning
- Genpo Mitsukuri's Former Residence
- Tsuyama Museum of Science Education
- Tsuyuma Historical Museum
- Yayoi Village Replica
- Yokono Falls
- Sakura Shrine
- Tsuyama Wonder Museum
Transport
Tsuyama's main railway station is Tsuyama Station. The station is served by the Tsuyama LineTsuyama Line
is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company between Okayama and Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:The Tsuyama Line operates both all-stations services and a limited-stop named service called . In the table below, ● indicates all trains stop at this station, and ▲...
(to Okayama), the Kishin Line
Kishin Line
is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company between Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture and Niimi, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:*S: Trains stop*s: Some trains stop*｜: Trains pass-Rolling stock:...
(to Himeji and Niimi), and the Inbi Line
Inbi Line
is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company between Tottori, Tottori Prefecture and Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:...
(to Tottori
Tottori
Tottori can refer to:* Tottori Prefecture - a Japanese prefecture with 613,229 people.* Tottori, Tottori - a Japanese city with 202,015 people.* Tottori Sand Dunes...
). All services are operated by JR West. Tsuyama is one of the major cities along the Chugoku Expressway
Chugoku Expressway
The is an expressway in Japan from Suita, Osaka to Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. It connects Kansai and Chūgoku regions in the western Honshū, Japan's largest island. Other major cities on the expressway are Tsuyama, Kobe and Hiroshima...
. As with many Japanese cities, cycling is a very common form of transport, particularly among school students.
Notable people from Tsuyama
- Joe OdagiriJoe Odagiri, born is a Japanese actor.-Career:Commonly known just as Odajō, and also known for his unusual hairstyle and eclectic style of dressing, he is the epitome of Cool Japan...
, actor - Koshi InabaKoshi Inabais a Japanese vocalist. His real name is . He graduated from the Faculty of Education at the Yokohama National University, and has a degree in mathematics.- Musical career :...
, vocalist of B'z - Mitsukuri Genpo, one of Japan's first Western scholars and Dutch learner
- Shun YashiroShun Yashirowas a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tsuyama, Okayama. At the time of his death, he was affiliated with Theater Echo. Throughout his career, Yashiro was also known as , , and ....
, actor - Shinji TakahashiShinji Takahashiwas a Japanese religious leader, corporate manager and hardware engineer. Takahashi founded the new religion/religious corporation God Light Association . He was born in Saku city, Nagano prefecture. He founded Koden Industry Co., Ltd. and served as its first president...
, baseball player - Natsumi KawaharaNatsumi Kawaharais a Japanese manga artist. She writes in Chuchu and Ciao magazines. She is from Tsuyama in Okayama Prefecture.-Works:*FLY HIGH（Debut）*Syuuban Romance♥*Choco mint kiss*Kon-ya haretara*Itazura-na Kanojo*Kimini aitai...
, manga artist - Ayane SakuranoAyane Sakuranois a Japanese actress in the Takarazuka Revue's Flower Troupe, where she performs as a musumeyaku .-Background:...
, actress - Gakuto CodaGakuto Codais a Japanese light novelist. His series Missing has been adapted into a manga, and Tokyopop will be releasing both in Fall 2007. He is known for basing his horror novels on research into psychology and folklore.- Missing series :...
, novelist - Hiranuma Kiichirō, pre World War II right-wing politician
External links
- Tsuyama official website in Japanese, and some information in English
- Tsuyama tourism information in English, from the Japan National Tourism Organization
- Tsuyama High School with some information in English
- Tsuyama National College of Technology with some information in English
- http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.com/2007/04/tsuyama-town.html Haiku and Photos about Tsuyama Town / Asian Haiku Travelogue / Izumo Kaido