Miyako, Iwate

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Miyako, Iwate: A short, simple overview

Where it is
- Miyako is a city in Iwate Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region. It sits on the Pacific coast and faces Miyako Bay. The area is mostly mountains and forests; only about 9% of the land is habitable.

Size and people
- Population: about 51,150 people (as of April 1, 2020).
- Total area: 1,259.15 square kilometers.
- Population density: around 41 people per square kilometer.

Geography and climate
- Miyako is in central Iwate, with the coast to the east and Cape Todo marking Honshu’s eastern edge.
- The climate is a mix of warm summers and cold winters. Average annual temperature is about 10.9°C. Annual rainfall is about 1,282 mm. August is the warmest month (around 22°C), and January is the coldest (around 0.5°C).

History in brief
- The area has ancient roots, once part of Mutsu Province and settled since the Jōmon period.
- It was controlled by the Emishi people and later by Japan’s imperial court in Heian times, then by the Nambu clan in the Muromachi period.
- The town faced major tsunamis in its history: a 1700 tsunami linked to the Cascadia earthquake, a devastating 1896 tsunami, and the 1933 Sanriku earthquake.
- Miyako became a city in 1940. It expanded in 2005 by absorbing Tarō and Niisato, and in 2010 by absorbing Kawai.

Economy
- The local economy mainly relies on commercial fishing and food processing.

Key sights and nature
- Cape Todo: a notable coastline point.
- Jōdogahama: a scenic area designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
- Mount Hayachine: one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.
- Sakiyama Shell Mound: a Jōmon-period historic site.
- Sanriku Fukko National Park surrounds parts of the area.

People and government
- Miyako uses a mayor-council government with a directly elected mayor and a 28-member city council.
- It contributes three seats to Iwate Prefecture’s legislature and is part of Iwate’s 2nd district for national elections.

Education
- Miyako has Miyako Junior College.
- It operates 21 public elementary schools and 11 public junior high schools. There are five public high schools, plus one private high school, and one special education school.

Transportation
- Rail: East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Yamada Line serves the area; Miyako Station and other nearby stops are listed in local timetables. The Sanriku Railway (Rias Line) also serves the region.
- Highways: National Routes 45, 106, and 340; Sanriku Expressway and Sanriku-kita Junction Road.
- Port: Port of Miyako serves coastal needs and local fishing boats.

Notable people
- Toshio Fujiwara, kick-boxer
- Nobutoshi Hikage, judoka
- Mirai Maiumi, professional wrestler
- Tokuichiro Tamazawa, politician

In popular culture
- Miyako was a filming location for the 1957 movie Times of Joy and Sorrow.
- It is linked to the 2022 anime Suzume, with a door from the film used as a pilgrimage spot for fans.

International relations
- Yantai, Shandong, China (friendship city since 1966)
- La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines (friendship city since 1992)

Notes
- Miyako’s history includes several significant earthquakes and tsunamis, shaping its development and memory.
- The city blends a rich coastal fishing culture with mountainous inland areas and important natural attractions.