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Tokushima (city)

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Tokushima is the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture. It is located on Shikoku island in Japan. The city sits in the north-eastern part of its prefecture. It is positioned at the mouth of the Yoshino River. This location makes it a central point for the surrounding region. Most of the city occupies the flat Tokushima plain. However, the landscape is not entirely level. A prominent mountain called Mt. Bizan rises in the center. This mountain stands 277 meters tall and serves as a symbol for the city. To the south, the terrain becomes more rugged. This area consists of mountainous land covered in forests.

JR logo (shikoku)
JR logo (shikoku)

The geography of Tokushima includes several important water features. The Yoshino River is a major river in the area. Other rivers include the Akui, Imagire, Shinmachi, and Suketō rivers. These waterways help shape the local environment. The city also features various peaks and hills. Besides Mt. Bizan, there is Shiroyama, which is 62 meters high. Other mountains include Nakatsu Mineyama at 773 meters and Nishi Ryuo-san at 495 meters. Higashi Ryuo-san stands at 408 meters. Kinobeyama reaches 212 meters. Even small hills like Bentenyama exist at 6.1 meters. These different elevations create a diverse scenic landscape.

JP Expressway E11
JP Expressway E11

Tokushima experiences a humid subtropical climate. This is known scientifically as a Cfa climate under the Köppen climate classification. This means the city has hot summers and cool winters. There is a high amount of precipitation, which is another word for rainfall. However, the rainfall is not spread evenly throughout the year. There is a pronounced difference between the seasons. The summers are much wetter than the winters. This seasonal pattern affects the local environment and agriculture. The fertile land in the Yoshino and Katsuura river basins supports various crops. Farmers grow rice, cauliflower, and carrots in these areas.

JP Expressway E55
JP Expressway E55

The history of Tokushima is tied to the ancient Awa Province. The city grew as a typical Japanese castle town. This means its layout was organized around a central fortification. Tokushima Castle was the seat of the Hachisuka clan. They were the daimyo, or powerful lords, of the Tokushima Domain. This occurred during the Edo Period under the Tokugawa shogunate. The city's early prosperity relied on the indigo dye industry. Indigo is a plant-based dye used to create blue colors. The city also traded timber. On October 1, 1889, the modern municipality was officially established. At that time, it was the 10th largest city in Japan.

Tokushima faced great destruction during World War II. The United States' XXI Bomber Command selected the city as a target. They did this because Tokushima was an important agricultural center. On July 3, 1945, at 5:45 PM, 137 aircraft took off to bomb the city. They dropped 1,050 tons of incendiary bombs. These are bombs designed to start fires. The attack destroyed 74% of the built-up areas. Over 1,000 people were killed, including 431 men and 553 women. More than 2,000 people were injured. It is estimated that 3.07 incendiary bombs were dropped for every citizen. The population in 1944 was 115,508 people.

JR logo (shikoku)
JR logo (shikoku)

Despite this damage, the city was quickly reconstructed. The economy has evolved significantly over time. After the indigo industry declined, wealth from merchants helped create new industries. This led to the rise of banks and financial institutions. Today, the city supports spinning, papermaking, and pharmaceuticals. It also focuses on food processing and electric power. Many industrial parks exist throughout the area. The city remains an economic center for eastern Shikoku. It has a deep connection to the Kansai region, especially Osaka. This connection grew stronger after the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

JP Expressway E55
JP Expressway E55

Modern Tokushima is a center for education and culture. There are several universities, such as the University of Tokushima. The city government operates 30 public elementary schools and 18 public middle schools. There are also nine public high schools. For culture, the city hosts the Awa Odori every August. This is a traditional dance festival held during the Obon Festival. The name translates to "Awa Dance." People of all ages perform in regional costumes. They dance to the sounds of drums, strings, and singing. This festival is a major part of the city's identity.

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