Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Iwami has been decreased steadily since the 1950s.
History
The area of Iwami was part of ancient Inaba Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tottori Domain ruled by a branch of the Ikeda clan from their seat at Tottori Castle. Iwami District, Tottori was established after the Meiji restoration and divided into several villages with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1896. The town of Iwami was established on July 1, 1954, by the merger of two towns (Uradome and Iwai) and seven villages.
Government
Iwami has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of twelve members. Iwami contributes one member to the Tottori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tottori 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
thumb|Squid drying in Iwami harbor
The majority of the town's working population is connected with the commercial fishing industry, notably squid fishing boats or aquaculture. Agriculture is also important, with the most common crop being rice. Iwami also has a locally renowned onsen (hot spring), the Iwai onsen.
Education
Iwami has three public elementary schools and one junior high school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Tottori Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
Railway
frameless|20x20px JR West - San'in Main Line
- - -
Highways
- 25px|link=|alt= San'in Kinki Expressway
Sister cities
- Shin'onsen, Japan, since July 1, 1964
- Kunigami, Japan, since July 16, 2023
Local attractions
- Iwai temple ruins, National Historic Site
- Iwami Onsen
- Uradome Coast, National Place of Scenic Beauty
Culture
Iwami served as the model for the fictional town of Iwatobi, the setting for the anime series Free!. Iwami has used the series to promote tourism to the town.
Noted people from Iwami
- Komakichi Matsuoka, politician