Himeji is a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. As of May 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 534,881, with 213,950 households and a population density of 1,000.84 persons per km². The total area is. The city is surrounded by the mountains and the sea. So, Himeji has always been a somewhat isolated city, but the local people are known for their hospitality.
History
Himeji has been the center of Harima Province since the Nara period. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Ikeda Terumasa received a fief at Harima Province and established the Himeji Domain. He expanded the Himeji Castle and its castle town. Himeji was the capital of Himeji Prefecture since 1871, but the prefecture was merged into Hyōgo Prefecture in 1876. The city of Himeji was established on April 1, 1889. After the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, the Japanese government reportedly considered moving the nation's capital from Tokyo to Himeji. On March 27, 2006, the town of Yasutomi, the town of Kōdera, and the towns of Ieshima and Yumesaki were merged into Himeji.
Air raid
During World War II, Himeji was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command because it served as an important rail terminal and contained two large military zones. On July 3, 1945 at 4:23 PM, 107 Aircraft took off to bomb Himeji. During the raid, 767 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Himeji, destroying 63.3% of the built up areas of the city. However, the famous Himeji Castle remained remarkably unscathed, even with one firebomb being dropped on it. This has resulted in many Himeji residents believing that the castle is divinely protected.
Climate
Himeji has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. Summers are significantly wetter than winters.
Himeji's education system is similar to other cities in Japan. In the city itself, there are roughly 20-30 foreigners who teach English at the local elementary and junior high schools in the JET program. The schools range from the islands of Boze and Ie all the way north past Yumesaki. A North Korean school, Seiban North Korean Elementary and Middle School, can also be found in the city.
International relations
Himeji is twinned or has sister city relationships with six international cities and two Japanese cities, as well as a sister castle located in France. Himeji has a particularly strong relationship with Phoenix, as teachers from America are able to teach English abroad for 1–2 years. Additionally, the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program allows for both Japanese and American high school students to experience the cultures and languages of their respective countries for 3 weeks.
