Mihama
美浜町
Town
Mihama town hall
Mihama town hall
Flag of Mihama
Flag
Official seal of Mihama
Emblem
Location of Mihama in Wakayama Prefecture
Location of Mihama in Wakayama Prefecture
Mihama is located in Japan
Mihama
Mihama
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°49′N 136°3′E / 33.817°N 136.050°E / 33.817; 136.050
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
PrefectureWakayama
DistrictHidaka
Area
 • Total12.77 km2 (4.93 sq mi)
Population
 (December 1, 2021)
 • Total6,761
 • Density530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1138-278 Wada, Mihama-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama-ken 644-0044
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerSunflower
TreePine
Cape Hinomisaki with Hinomisaki Lighthouse
Mio neighborhood of Mihama

Mihama (美浜町, Mihama-chō) is a town located in Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2021, the town had an estimated population of 6,761 in 3083 households and a population density of 530 persons per km².[1] The total area of the town is 12.77 square kilometres (4.93 sq mi).

Geography

Mihama is located on the coast in central Wakayama Prefecture, facing the Kii Channel to the southwest. The eastern part of the town is part of the Hidaka Plain and is the center of the city. The western part is designated as Enjukaigan Prefectural Natural Park. The highest point is Mount Nishiyama, with an elevation of 329 meters.

Neighboring municipalities

Wakayama Prefecture

Climate

Mihama has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Mihama is 16.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1878 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 7.3 °C.[2] The area is subject to typhoons in summer.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Mihama has remained fairly steady over the past 70 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 5,799—    
1930 6,863+18.3%
1940 6,960+1.4%
1950 8,667+24.5%
1960 8,550−1.3%
1970 8,741+2.2%
1980 8,832+1.0%
1990 8,920+1.0%
2000 8,802−1.3%
2010 8,077−8.2%
2020 6,867−15.0%

History

The area of the modern town of Inami was within ancient Kii Province. The villages of Matsubara, Mio and Wada were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. These three villages merged on October 1, 1954 to form the town of Mihama.

Government

Mihama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 10 members. Inami collectively with the other municipalities of Hidaka District, contributes three members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Mihama is centered on commercial fishing and agriculture. The main catch is (Shirasu, spiny lobster, and abalone). The main crops are rice and cucumbers.

Education

Mihama has two public elementary schools and one public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway

Mihama has no passenger rail service. The nearest train station is Gobō Station on the JR West Kisei Main Line in the neighboring city of Gobō

Highways

Mihama is not on any national highway or expressway.

Local attractions

  • Hinomisaki Lighthouse

References

  1. ↑ "Mihama Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ↑ Mihama climate data
  3. ↑ Mihama population statistics
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