Kobayashi, Miyazaki


Kobayashi is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1950. As of June 1, 2019, the city has an estimated population of 44,154 and a population density of 78.4 persons per km². The total area is 562.95 km². Like the city of Miyakonojō, Kobayashi is suffering from a declining population.

Mergers

On March 20, 2006, the village of Suki was merged into Kobayashi, roughly doubling the city's size.
On March 23, 2010, the town of Nojiri was also merged into Kobayashi.

Products

Kobayashi is famous for producing pears.

Places of interest

;Inyoseki: A fertility shrine a which people pray to conceive children. The site has a natural rock formation that resembles a phallus.
;Ikoma Plateau: At an elevation of, the plateau offers a view of the city from its magnificent flower garden with the Kirishima Mountain Range at its back. October is Cosmos season while April/May feature Icelandic poppies.
;Idenoyama Park: Home of the Firefly Festival every May. Features a freshwater aquarium, restaurants specializing in carp dishes, and beautiful lakefront scenery.
Idenoyama Spring Water
Idenoyama mountain freshwater fish aquarium
Idenoyama Park is located in south west from center of Kobayashi city. This park has a pond where the water source is from Idenoyama mountain, and its spring water is selected as Japan's 100 remarkable waters. This is the home place of the Firefly Festival every May. Features a freshwater aquarium, restaurants specializing in carp dishes, and a beautiful lakefront scenery.
Overview of Idenoyama Park
One of the spring waters of the Kirishima Mountains, abundant water flow of 1 ton per second flows into the largest reservoir in Kobayashi, Idenoyama Pond. Idenoyama Pond was created by the Satsuma Domain in 1614 as irrigation water, and around this area a large number of flora and fauna inhabit. In late May to early June, it is a great habitat of Genji fireflies. There is a promenade so you can walk by the pond and enjoy the fireflies dancing. At the adjacent Miyazaki Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station Kobayashi Branch, the sturgeon has been successfully hatched using spring water, and its caviar has been commercialized in cooperation with the private sector. There is a restaurant where you can taste river fish such as carp trout, and sturgeon.
Mythology
The inhabitants, who lived in the mountains of Kuma-gun in Higo, Kurino, Yokokawa, Hyokiyama, and Soo-gun in Osumi, defeated the court and did not donate their annual tribute to the court. Emperor Keiko visited the Kyushu region to subdue them and to make this clear. He departed from Kyoto, passed through Nagato and Toyokuni, then at Hyuga, he established Takaya-no-miya to fight the bear attack and settle down. On his way back to Kyoto, he stopped by Hinamori, nearby Kobayashi city. At that time, the hills surrounding the Mt. Idenoyama were said to have housed the royal family, and there was a beautiful lady called Izumihime. Izumihime poured tea made with the spring water from Idenoyama to the Emperor. The cup of tea made him comforted and healed the tiredness of the battle. The emperor and Izumihime grew warm affection one day. The time of return came and the Emperor departed for Kyoto. It is said that she mourned herself in the pond and turned into a snake as a guardian angel. Even now, the Benzaiten Festival is held every April to celebrate Mizugami-sama, and there is still a stone that is connected to the grave of Izumihime next to the cemetery in Oidemizu district. Excerpt of the legendary “Izumihime Monogatari”
;Inyoseki Rock
Inyoseki is a couple rock in the Homanose river which is located in east part of Kobayashi city. You can find them in the downstream of Sannomiyakyo Gorge. The volcanic activity that was activated about 1.8 million years ago, deposited a large amount of volcanic ash and lava, which was formed by erosion by rivers. There is a 17.5-meter-high phallic-shaped yang stone, and beside it is a 5.5-meter-periphery-shaped gylinite. Since ancient times, it has been worshiped as the god of marriage, child treasure and prayer for safe delivery. However, it became widely known as a sightseeing spot after a new road was constructed in 1917. In 1950, Kobayashi Municipal “Hamanoseso Ryokan” was opened, and since then, the “Inyoseki Festival” is held every September. In April 1929, Noguchi Ujo, a poet, visited this Inyoseki and composed a poem. You will see the poem on the monument which was erected in 1951.
;Kirishima Mountain
Kirishimayama Mountain is a collective term for volcanic groups near the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in southern Kyushu, and is also called Kirishima Volcanoes. Mountains form a mountain mass between and around the highest peak of Karakuni-dake and the sacred peak of Takachiho-no-Mine. It is an active volcano that repeats eruptions since its history was recorded, and active volcanic activity has continued particularly at Shinmoe-dake and Ohachi. Those mountains have been selected as volcanoes that need to be monitored and an observation system for volcanic disaster prevention by the Volcanic Eruption Prediction Council has been established.
History
According to the Kojiki, or Records of Ancient Matters, this mountain was the place of Tenson-korin; a couple of gods, Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto descended from Takama-no-Hara, heaven, to Takachiho-no-Mine. There is a halberd placed upside down on the peak of Takachiho-no-Mine, this is called Ama-no-Sakahoko, or the halberd of the heaven. It is said, that Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto placed the Ama-no-Sakahoko on the peak of Takachiho-no-Mine, and mixed the earth to create the country. The origin of "Kirishima" is based on the theory that, if you look into this area from afar, Kirishima Mountain range looks like an island floating in the sea of fog. Or, it is said that when the Tenson-Korin, the fog was very thick and they could hardly see surroundings. As soon as they sowed the rice ears brought from Takama-no-Hara, the fog soon cleared. Or, there is also a theory that the volcanic plume was regarded as fog.
Folklore
People say that a hermit lives in the Kirishima. Below are The Seven Wonders of Kirishima:
  1. Makazu-no-Tane, or seeds without sowing rice may grow on the mountains. This is attributed to the species brought from Takama-no-Hara, or heaven, when the Tenson-Korin; two gods descendant to Kirishima mountain in ancient times.
  2. Moji Iwa, or character rock on the west side of Kirishima Shrine, there is a large rock of 10 cubic meters. You will find some Sanskrit characters are engraved on the inside despite the small gaps that are difficult to reach.
  3. Kame Ishi, or turtle rock on the old approach to Kirishima Shrine, there is a rock that looks exactly like a turtle. It is said, that a turtle that has broken his promise to God and was then turned into a rock.
  4. Kazaana, or wind hole. There is a rock with a hole where the wind blows out on the old approach to Kirishima Shrine.
  5. Mitarashigawa, or Mitarashi river. A river that dries out in winter and a lot of water comes out around May. It is said, that it contains the water of Manai brought from Takama-no-Hara when Tenson-Korin, or when the gods descended.
  6. Ryodogawa, or Ryodo river. A river that flows only from June to September. The river flows twice at intervals of several days and is called the Ryodo, meaning twice river.
  7. Kagura at midnight. When Kirishima Jingu was relocated to its current location, many people are said to have heard Kagura, sounds that should not be heard at midnight. Originally, Kagura involved songs and dances that were dedicated to the deities.
;Ito-zuka
Ito-zuka is a mound for Ito Daimyo, lord of Himuka-no-Kuni and his troops in the Warring States period, and it is a historic site designated by Miyazaki prefecture.
There was a Daimyo Ito Yoshisuke, who ruled most of the Himuka-no-Kuni. On May 3rd, 1572, he with around 3,000 troops attacked Kakuto Castle, protected by Shimadzu's vassal, Kawakami Tadatomo, from Minoyama, the front base. However, the Ito Army retreats to Kizakibaru once after unexpected resistance. When Shimazu Yoshihiro, who had been waiting for the Ito army at Iino Castle, received the report, he immediately sent his troops to Kizakibaru, and on May 4th, the troops went into a fierce battle. The battle ended with a major victory for Shimadzu, and the defeated Ito quickly declined, and Shimadzu began to rule over Himuka-no-Kuni. This is The Battle of Kizakibaru, which was later called "The Battle of Okehazama" in Kyushu.
Of the more than 500 Ito troops who died in the battle of Kizakibaru, more than 200 main ones, such as General Ito Kagamori/Sukeyasu, were buried in Magata-Inba-Zuka, and this tomb was later called Ito-zuka. They are just memorial towers, there are no bodies under them.
The descendants of Shimazu warlord Godai Tomoyasu/Shozaemon built a five-story pagoda to comfort the spirits of Ito troops, and in 1817, the lord of Kobayashi built a monument and engraved the sentence "Look at the old days of today".
Location; 160-2 Magata, Kobayashi, Miyazaki
;Kobayashi Castle
Kobayashi Castle was a castle on a hill in the plains. It is also known as Mitsuyama Castle or Minoyama Castle. Currently, Shiroyama Park.
In 1566, the Daimyo of Himuka-no-Kuni, Ito Yoshisuke commanded Mera Shigekata, the lord of Suki castle, to build a castle as a restraining one for Shimazu, the daimyo of Satsuma and as a front-line base for the Iino Castle attack. The Iwase River surrounds the west, north and east of this Kobayashi castle, forming like a natural moat, and the southern part faces cliffs of shirasu soil, which is volcanic ash soil making it difficult to climb. The Kobayashi castle was protected by the natural hazards that cannot be easily reached to the castle. At first it was called Mitsuyama Castle or Minoyama Castle, however there was another castle called the same for Kitahara, so Ito’s castle was renamed Kobayashi Castle since it was in Kobayashi Village. At present, it is a privately owned land. There are markers, such as the indicator of the Honmaru, the main bailey, but most of part is covered with grove of mixed trees.
;Suki Castle
Suki Castle was one of the Forty-eight Castles of Ito on a hill in the plains. It is also known as Tsurumaru Castle. Currently, Shiroyama Park nearby Sukimuland.
Suki Castle is a collective term. It has Hidaki castle at the foot, Araki castle on the middle, then Matsuo / Tsurumaru castle at the summit as a Honmaru, the main bailey. Matsuo Castle is surrounded by cliffs and only a part of the southwest is a steep slope. At present there are markers that mark the spots of the castle.
;Nojiri Castle
Nojiri Castle is one of the Forty-eight Castles of Ito on a hill in the plains. It is located in Kobayashi city, former Nojiri Town.
The Castle is surrounded by the Jonoshita river and a cliff, which forms a natural barrier. Initially, it was thought that the castle had Honmaru, the main bailey, in the west and Ninomaru, the second bailey, in the east, but later investigation revealed those were opposite. The Nojiri Honjo, Honmaru, was at the east and the Nojiri Shinjo, Ninomaru, which was later built in the west. So, this castle was actually a paired castle.
Currently it is a farmland, but only the remains on the Nojiri Shinjo side. This well is a Cultural Property designated by Nojiri Town.
;Kayumochida the Old Battlefield Ruins
In 1572, the troops of Ito were chased by their enemy Shimadzu at the Kizakibaru-no-Tatakai, or the battle of Kizakibaru. The best spearman, Yunokizaki Tango-no-Kami boldly turned back, and had a one on one fight against Shimazu Hyogo-no-Kami. At the moment when Masaie made a deadly blow to Yoshihiro, the spear missed the target because Yoshihiro’s horse broke its front knee. During that time Masaie was surrounded and killed by Shimadzu.
They say that the place where this one on one battle took place is today's Kayumochida area. The tomb of Yunokizaki Tango-no-Kami remains in the northwest, and a stone monument was built in honor of the martial arts, and is still carefully protected. Kayumochida the Old Battlefield Ruins is where is designated by Kobayashi city.
;The Tomb of Ijuin Tadasane
Ijuin Tadasane was a worlord, serving Shimadzu like his father, Ijuin Tadamune.
In 1597, Toyotomi Hideyoshi commanded the invasion to Korea. Father and son, Ijuin Tadasane, went to war as the Shimadzu troops. In 1598 in the Shisen-no-Tatakai, the Battle at Shisen, it is said that 7,000 of Shimadzu troops defeated 37,000 Korean troops. Since then the name of Shimadzu was feared through Korea, even China.
However, in 1599, Ijuin Tadamune, the father was killed by Shimadzu Tadatsune because the father was too proud of his power. The son, Ijuin Tadasane was standing in his castle, Tsuno Castle, and decided to break ranks with Shimadzu. This is called Shonai-no-Ran, the Shonai Rebellion. He surrendered the next year, but in 1602, he was killed by Shimadzu Tadatsune on the way to Kyoto. According to Professor Yamamoto from Historiographical Institute at the University of Tokyo, for Shimadzu, there was no choice to kill his vassals, Ijuin Tadasane, who was a key person of opposition.
Here in his tomb, there is a memorial tower, which was built for Ijuin Tadasane.
;Tomb of Mera Chikugo-no-Kami
Mera Shigekata was a warlord, serving Ito, the Daimyo of Himuka-no-Kuni, and Shigekata also was the lord of Suki Castle. Mera Shigekata was ordered to build Kobayashi castle by Ito, this castle was by the border of neighboring state, Satsuma. In 1566, Shimadzu troops attacked Kobayashi castle, which was under construction, Shigekata fought with his younger brother, Noriyuki. Shigekata injured one of the key warlords, Yoshihiro, and made the Shimadzu troops retreat. In 1568, Shigekata who was as the representative of Ito and Hongo who was from Shimadzu sat down in post-war negotiations in Obi. Shigekata achieved pledging two things, Shimadzu troops retreating and ceding of Obi territory. Since then Shigekata wasknown as a man with great intelligence and bravery. In 1572, at the Kizakibaru-no-Tatakai, or the Battle of Kizakibaru, Shigekata fought with Ito where he died. Shegekata’s head was sent to Ichirinji Temple, which was his family temple. There is a five-story pagoda which is engraved the word, which says “Ryushitsukuko”. They say that this pagoda is the one for Mera Shigekata, who was also known as Chikugo-no-Kami.
;Tomb of Yunokizaki Tango-no-Kami
Yunokizaki Masaie was a warlord, serving Ito, the Daimyo of Himuka-no-Kuni, and Mas the load of Yunokizaki Castle.
Masaie was a master of spears and was declared as "the best spear-man in Nisshu."
In 1572, he joined the Kizakibaru-no-Tatakai, or the Battle of Kizakibaru. However, his general Ito was routed because of the trap called “Tsuri-no-Buse” by their enemy, Shimadzu. Tsuri-no-Buse were tactics in a field battle. The entire army is divided into three squads, two of which are hide or lay down and wait to the two different sides in advance, then the left squad attacks pretending to be defeated. The best spearman, Masaie boldly turned back, and was one on one fight against Shimazu Hyogo-no-Kami. At the moment when Masaie made a deadly blow to Yoshihiro, the spear missed the target because Yoshihiro’s horse broke its front knee. During that time Masaie was surrounded and killed by Shimadzu. They say that the place where this one on one battle took place is today's Kayumochida area. The tomb of Yunokizaki Tango-no-Kami remains in the northwest, and a stone monument was built in honor of the martial arts, and is still carefully protected. The tomb is located slightly off Kayumochida the Old Battlefield Ruins, which is designated by Kobayashi city.
;Sannomiya Gorge
;Suki Suspension Bridge and Mamako Falls: Crossing the bridge leads to a view of this waterfall cluster. The falls are named after a legend which tells of a cruel stepmother who took her six-year-old stepdaughter to the falls to murder her. However, the child had tied their sashes together without the stepmother realizing, and when the stepmother pushed the girl over, they both fell to their deaths.

Festivals

Sakura Festival: Late March-Early April. Features flower viewing and local events in locations all over Kobayashi.
Firefly Festival at Idenoyama Park: Late May-Late June
Water Festival: First Saturday of August
Suki City Fireforks Festival: Mid-August
Suki Chestnut Festival: Late September
Inyoseki Festival: Late September
Harvest Festival: Early November
Autumn Festival: Late November
Winter Festival: Late November/Early December. Features annual Christmas Lights Display at Kobayashi Station. The lights were designed by students of the local technical school, now Kobayashi Shuho High School.

Nearby cities

Kobayashi has eight middle schools and ten elementary schools after the inclusion of Suki and Uchiyama's middles and elementary schools. It has three high schools after the combination of Kobayashi Commercial and Kobayashi Technical high school in 2010.