Maniwa

Maniwa (真庭市, Maniwa-shi) is a city in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

On 31 March 2005, the town of Hokubō (from Jōbō District); the towns of Katsuyama, Ochiai, Yubara, and Kuse and the villages of Mikamo, Kawakami, Yatsuka, and Chūka (from Maniwa District) merged to form the new city of Maniwa.

On September 1, 2011, Maniwa had an area of 828.43 km², the largest area of any municipality in the prefecture. Its population was 50,389, with 17,711 households.

Geography

Mountains:Mount Hiruzen (蒜山, Hiruzen)
Rivers:
- Asahi River (旭川, Asahi-gawa)　The big-3 river through Okayama Prefecture
- Bitchū River (備中川, Bitchū-gawa)　Tributary of the Asahi River
Lakes:Lake Yubara
Dams:Yubara Dam

Adjoining municipalities

Okayama Prefecture
- Tsuyama
- Takahashi
- Niimi
- Kibichūō
- Misaki
- Kagamino
- Shinjō
Tottori Prefecture
- Kurayoshi
- Misasa
- Kōfu

Transport

Railways

West Japan Railway Company
- Kishin Line
  - Mimasaka-Oiwake Station - Mimasaka-Ochiai Station - Komi Station - Kuse Station - Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station - Tsukida Station - Tomihara Station

The main station is Chūgoku-Katsuyama.

Road

Expressways:
- Chūgoku Expressway
  - Mimasaka-Oiwake Parking Area - Ochiai Junction - Ochiai Interchange - Maniwa Parking Area - Hokubō Junction - Hokubō Interchange
- Okayama Expressway
  - Hokubō Junction
- Yonago Expressway
  - Ochiai Junction - Kuse Interchange - Ueno Parking Area - Yubara Interchange - Hiruzen-Kōgen Service Area - Hiruzen Interchange
National highways:
Main prefectural roads:
- Okayama Prefectural Route 30 (Ochiai-Takebe)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 32 (Niimi-Katsuyama)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 55 (Yubara-Mikamo)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 56 (Yubara-Okutsu)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 58 (Hokubō-Kawakami)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 65 (Kuse-Chūka)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 66 (Ochiai-Kamogawa)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 82 (Kagamino-Kuse)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 84 (Katsuyama-Kurihara)
Roadside Station
- Hiruzen Plateau (蒜山高原, Hiruzen Kōgen)
- Windy House (風の家, Kaze no Ie)
- Village of Daigo (醍醐の里, Daigo no Sato)

Sister and Friendship cities

Victor Harbor, Australia - Sister city agreement concluded in May 26, 2000
Ruijin, China - Friendship city agreement concluded in January 16, 2001

Notable places and events

The old castle town of Mimasaka-Katsuyama
Kanba Waterfall (Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls)
Former Senkyō Elementary School Building (Important Cultural Properties)
Yubara Onsen
Katsuyama Festival (October 19–20)
Kuse Festival (October 25–26)
Hiruzen Area
- Mount Hiruzen
- Hiruzen Plateau
- Hiruzen Kōgen Center / Joyful Park (Amusement park)
- Hiruzen Jersey Land
- Ski resort