Okayama

Okayama is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of western Japan.

It serves as a vital urban hub for the surrounding area. The Okayama metropolitan area contains the largest urban employment zone in the Chūgoku region. The modern city was officially founded on June 1, 1889. Currently, the city has an estimated population of 700,940 people. This results in a population density of 890 people per square kilometer.

The geography of the city is defined by its varied terrain and water sources. The central urban area sits on the Okayama Plain in the south. This plain was created by the sedimentation of two first-class rivers: the Asahi River and the Yoshii River. These rivers eventually flow into the Seto Inland Sea. To the north, the landscape shifts into the Kibi Plateau. This area consists of gentle hills and contains the Asahikawa Dam and Okayama Airport. To the south of the main urban area lies Kojima Bay.

Okayama is famous for its unique climate, which earns it the nickname "Land of Sunshine." The city has a humid subtropical climate, classified as Cfa under the Köppen system. It is a very sunny and dry place compared to much of Japan. In fact, Okayama has the most rain-free days of any city in the country. It is ranked as the second driest and fourth sunniest city in the Chūgoku region. The weather is warm enough throughout the year to support the growth of olive trees.

The history of the city is rooted in the era of feudal lords. In the late 16th century, Ukita Naoie established a stronghold at Ishiyama near the Asahi River. His successor, Ukita Hideie, moved the main enclosure to a hill called "Okayama." He completed Okayama Castle around 1597.

To protect the area, hydrological works were used to redirect river channels into moats. Later, the Ikeda clan ruled the domain and expanded the castle town. After the Meiji government centralized authority in 1871, Okayama became the capital of its prefecture.

During World War II, the city experienced significant destruction. Okayama served as a garrison city for the Imperial Japanese Army. On June 29, 1945, American air raids burned much of the urban core. This event caused the loss of the original castle keep and killed more than 1,700 people.

Following the war, the city was rebuilt using the original castle-town grid. The castle keep was finally reconstructed in 1966. It now displays its famous "Ujō" or "Crow Castle" silhouette above the river.

Today, Okayama is a major center for transportation and education. Okayama Station is a massive interchange for many different rail lines.

Passengers can access the San'yō Shinkansen, which is a high-speed bullet train. In 1988, the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge opened to connect Okayama to Shikoku by road and rail. The city is also a center for learning, home to Okayama University.

This university was founded as a medical school in 1870. The city also hosts many other private universities and various high schools.

The economy of the region is diverse and strong. In 2005, the city's gross domestic product was 800 billion yen. The larger metropolitan employment area had a GDP of US$63.1 billion in 2010. Major industries include machine tools, chemicals, foodstuffs, and printing. The Kōnan district is the most developed industrial zone in the city. For shopping, many people visit the Omotechō district, which features many covered arcades.

Visitors often come to Okayama to see its famous cultural landmarks. Kōraku-en is one of the top three traditional gardens in all of Japan.

It was completed in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa. The city is also closely linked to the Japanese fable of Momotarō. Agriculture also plays a role in the local identity. The Okayama Plain produces rice, eggplant, and white Chinese chives. In the northern mountains, farmers cultivate white peaches and grapes.