Niimi

Niimi (新見市, Niimi-shi) is a city located in Okayama, Japan.

As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,035 (16,200 males, 17,835 females), 13,077 households and the density of 42.90 persons per km². The total area is 793.27 km².

History

Niimi was founded on June 1, 1954. On March 31, 2005 Niimi absorbed the towns of Ōsa, Shingō, Tessei and Tetta, all from Atetsu District, to become a larger and expanded Niimi.

Transportation

Rail

Niimi is an important railway center. The city is served by three JR West lines, and all meet at Niimi Station.

• Geibi Line (Niimi -- Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture)
  • Niimi Station -- Nunohara Station -- Bitchū Kōjiro Station -- Sakane Station -- Ichioka Station -- Yagami Station -- Nochi Station
• Kishin Line (Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture -- Niimi)
  • Osakabe Station -- Tajibe Station -- Iwayama Station -- Niimi Station.
• Hakubi Line (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture -- Yonago, Tottori Prefecture)
  • Ikura Station -- Ishiga Station -- Niimi Station -- Nunohara Station -- Bitchū-Kōjiro Station -- Ashidachi Station -- Niizato Station

Bus

• Niimi Municipal Bus (新見市営バス, Niimi Chōei Basu)
• Bihoku Bus Company, Ltd. (備北バス, Bihoku Basu)

Highway

• Chūgoku Expressway
• Japan National Route 180
• Japan National Route 182

Economy

The principle industries in Niimi are limestone quarrying, cement production, forestry, and tourism. Yamasa Company, Ltd., a producer of pachinko slot machines, is headquartered in the city. Farms in Niimi produce tobacco, peaches, and beef.

Sister cities

Niimi has been twinned with New Paltz, New York since 1998, as well as with Sidney-by-the-Sea, British Columbia since 2008.

External links

• Niimi official website in Japanese