Tsuyama

is a city in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 102,294 and a population density of 200 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.

History

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.

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 Tsuyama.

Geography

Climate

Tsuyama has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification ''Cfa'') with very warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is somewhat lower in winter.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Tsuyama in 2020 is 99,937 people. Tsuyama has been conducting censuses since 1950.

Festivals

*Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) - This event is held in Kakuzan Park where around 5000 cherry blossom trees attract people from all over western Japan. Many picnickers arrive before dawn and set down blue tarps and then remain until dusk, grilling out and drinking sake.
*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 danjiri.
*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
* Tsuyama Castle
*Shūraku-en Garden
*Joto Street
* Nakayama Shrine
*Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning
*Genpo Mitsukuri's Former Residence
*Tsuyama Museum of Science Education
*Tsuyuma Historical Museum
* Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum (opening spring 2016)
*Yayoi Village Replica
*Yokono Falls
*Sakura Shrine
*Tsuyama Wonder Museum

Education

* Mimasaka University
* Tsuyama National College of Technology

Transport

Tsuyama's main railway station is Tsuyama Station. The station is served by the Tsuyama Line (to Okayama), the Kishin Line (to Himeji and Niimi), and the Imbi Line (to Tottori). All services are operated by JR West. Tsuyama is one of the major cities along the Chūgoku Expressway. As with many Japanese cities, cycling is a very common form of transport, particularly among school students.

Air

The nearest airport is Okayama Airport.

Rail

*West Japan Railway Company
**Kishin Line
*** Mimasaka-Ōsaki Station - Higashi-Tsuyama Station - Tsuyama Station - Innoshō Station - Mimasaka-Sendai Station - Tsuboi Station
**Imbi Line
*** Mimasaka-Kawai Station - Chiwa Station - Mimasaka-Kamo Station - Miura Station - Mimasaka-Takio Station - Takano Station - Higashi-Tsuyama Station
**Tsuyama Line
***Sarayama Station - Tsuyamaguchi Station - Tsuyama Station

Road

* Expressways:
**Chūgoku Expressway
***Tsuyama Interchange - Ninomiya Parking Area - Innoshō Interchange
*National highways:
** National Route 53
** National Route 179
** National Route 181
** National Route 374
** National Route 429
*Main prefectural roads:
**Okayama Prefectural Route 6 (Tsuyama-Chizu-Hattō)
**Okayama Prefectural Route 26 (Tsuyama-Yanahara)
**Okayama Prefectural Route 67 (Shōō-Shōboku)
**Okayama Prefectural Route 68 (Tsuyama-Kamo)
**Okayama Prefectural Route 70 (Kume-Takebe)
**Okayama Prefectural Route 75 (Kamo-Okutsu)
* Roadside Station:
**Kume no Sato

Sister cities

* Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

Notable people from Tsuyama

* Yusuke Kodama, professional wrestler
* Joe Odagiri, actor
* Koshi Inaba, vocalist of B'z
* Shun Yashiro, actor
* Shinji Takahashi, baseball player
* Ayane Sakurano, actress
* Hiranuma Kiichirō, pre World War II right-wing politician

References

External links

*

Tsuyama City official website
, and some informatio
in English


, from the Japan National Tourism Organization

Tsuyama High School
with some information in English


with some information in English

{{Authority control

Cities in Okayama Prefecture