Mimasaka, Okayama

Mimasaka (美作市, Mimasaka-shi) is a city located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

As of November 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 30,019 (34,338 in 2004) and a population density of 70 persons per km². The total area is 429.19 km².

History

The 16th century village Miyamoto, considered the birthplace of Miyamoto Musashi, is part of present-day Mimasaka.

The modern city of Mimasaka was founded on March 31, 2005 by the merger of the former town of Mimasaka, absorbing the towns of Aida, Ōhara and Sakutō, the village Higashiawakura (all from Aida District), and the town of Katsuta (from Katsuta District).

Geography

Mountains:Mount Ushiro (The highest mountain in Okayama Prefecture)
Rivers:Yoshino River, Kajinami River

Adjoining municipalities

Okayama Prefecture
- Bizen
- Wake
- Misaki
- Shōō
- Nagi
- Nishiawakura
Hyōgo Prefecture
- Shisō
- Sayō
Tottori Prefecture
- Chizu

Transport

Railways

Road

Expressways:
- Chūgoku Expressway
  - Sakutō Interchange - Narahara Parking Area - Mimasaka Interchange
National highways:
Main prefectural roads:
- Okayama Prefectural Route 5 (Sakutō-Ōhara)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 7 (Chizu-Katsuta)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 46 (Wake-Sasame-Sakutō)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 51 (Mimasaka-Nagi)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 86 (Sakutō Interchange)
- Okayama Prefectural Route 90 (Akō-Saeki)

Sister and Friendship cities

Former Ōhara town
- Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan - Friendship city agreement concluded in 1991
- Echizen (Former Imadate town), Fukui, Japan - Sister city agreement concluded in 1990
Former Sakutō town
- Saint-Valentin, France - Sister city agreement concluded in April 6, 1988
- Sankt Valentin, Austria - Sister city agreement concluded in October 25, 1994
- Saint-Valentin, Canada - Sister city agreement concluded in October 24, 1997