History

The area of Hamada was the center of ancient Iwami Province, and the ruins of the Iwami Kokubun-ji are located within the city. During the Edo Period, the area was mostly under the control of Hamada Domain, which was ruled mostly by various branches of the Matsudaira clan under the Tokugawa shogunate. It was a stronghold of pro-shogunate support during the Bakumatsu period. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Hamada was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The city was founded on November 3, 1940 by the merger of Hamada with the villages of Iwami, Nagahama, Mikawa and Sufu. On October 1, 2005, the towns of Asahi, Kanagi and Misumi, and the village of Yasaka (all from Naka District) were merged into Hamada. Therefore, Naka District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Government

Hamada has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Masuda contributes three members to the Shimane Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Shimane 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Hamada has a diverse economy, with commercial fishing, agriculture, light manufacturing and commerce predominating.

Education

Hamada has 16 public elementary school and nine public junior high schools operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Shimane Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture operates two special education schools for the handicapped. The prefectural University of Shimane is located in Hamada.

Transportation

Railway

frameless|20x20px JR West (JR West) - San'in Main Line

  • - - - - - - -

Highways

  • 25px|link=|alt= Hamada Expressway
  • 25px|link=|alt= San'in Expressway

Ports

  • Port of Hamada, Hamada is one of the few cities in the region to possess a heavy tonnage shipping port. The Hamada commercial port can accept vessels up to a maximum of .<sup>1</sup>

Air

The city does not have its airport. The nearest airports are:

  • Iwami Airport, located west of Hamada. However, the airport only provides one daily flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport which is operated by ANA Airways.
  • Hiroshima Airport, located south east. The airport provides direct international routes to China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Sister cities

  • Ningxia, China
  • Rongcheng, Shandong, China

Local attractions

Sights

  • Aquas is on the outskirts of the city. It is the largest aquarium in western Honshū.
  • The Hamada Museum of Children's Art is located about one mile from the city center. Its exhibits include artwork by children from around the world and artwork of interest to children. Their programs include technical art classes and art history workshops for children of all ages.
  • The ruins of Hamada Castle are situated on the top of a hill near the centre of town. From the top of the ruins, visitors can see extensive views of Hamada city and the coast.
  • Iwami Seaside Park is a large beach located near Aquas with cabins, barbecue areas, and rental facilities.
  • Sufu Kofun, National Historic Site

Culture

Yearly festivals

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Month

! Festival description

|-

| January

| No events

|-

| February

| Izumo Taisha Iwami-bunshi Setsubun Festival

|-

| March

| Tadaji Hatsuuma Festival (one of the largest festivals in the Iwami area)

|-

| April

| Hamakko Spring Festival<br />

Daimyo Parade (and many other kinds of parades)

|-

| May

| No events

|-

| June

| No events

|-

| July

| Kokubu Kinsai Festival

|-

| August

| Hamakko Summer Festival (Largest event of the year, with a huge fireworks display in the evening at the port)

Nagahama Hassakuhana Festival (Fire Protection Festival)

|-

| September

| No events

|-

| October

| Nagahama Tenjinreitai Festival (Festival of the God of the Sea)

|-

| November

| Hamada BB Onabe Festival

Iwami Kagura Festival

|-

| December

| No events

|}

Notable people from Hamada

  • Meiji Hashimoto, Nihonga painter
  • Shigeo Ōdachi, politician
  • Magoichi Tawara, politician

References

  • Hamada City official website . (There is an English page link from the Japanese page, but it has less information.)
  • University of Shimane
  • Hamada International Association homepage (slightly out of date)
  • Hamada Port Authority
  • Aquas Aquarium English version available.
  • Iwami Seaside Park About the park and its facilities.