45-717: The Kamaishi Line ( 釜石線 , Kamaishi-sen ) is a 90.2 km (56.0 mi) rural railway line in Iwate Prefecture , Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Hanamaki Station in the city of Hanamaki with Kamaishi Station in the city of Kamaishi . The precursor to the line opened in 1915 as the Iwate Light Railway ( 岩手軽便鉄道 ) , a 762 mm ( 2 ft 6 in ) light railway extending 65.4 km from Hanamaki to Sennintōge Station ( 仙人峠 ) . The original plan
90-417: A magnitude 8.6 earthquake and tsunami struck the coast of Iwate. On 14 November 1230, volcanic activity was reported. On 2 December 1611, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami were reported to have killed over 3,000 horses and people. In 1662 Morioka and its suburbs were hit by a large flood leaving 1,000 dead. Volcanic activity was reported on Mt. Iwate on 23 March 1686 and 14 April 1687. In 1700,
135-546: A campaign of burning crops and kidnapping the Emishi women and children and relocating them to Western Japan was adopted. Many a stout warrior gave up the fight to join his family again. In 801, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro began a new campaign against the Isawa Emishi having moderate success. Finally on 15 April 802 the Emishi leaders More and Aterui surrendered with some 500 warriors. The captives were taken to Kyoto for an audience with
180-461: A cholera outbreak in Kamaishi left 302 dead and warnings about drinking water were posted throughout the prefecture. In April 1884, there was another outbreak of cholera in Kamaishi. In September 1886, cholera outbreaks throughout Iwate left 312 dead. On 15 June 1896, at 7:32 am, a magnitude 8.5 earthquake struck offshore. The ensuing tsunami sent waves onto the coast of Iwate at Yoshihama, in what
225-661: A great deal of rice and livestock, it is dominated by the manufacturing industries around Sendai, particularly electronics, appliances, and food processing. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 4.7% of Japan's rice, 23% of oysters, and 15.9% of sauries . In July 2011, the Japanese government decided to ban all shipments of beef cattle from northeast Miyagi Prefecture over fears of radioactive contamination. This has since been rescinded. According to Japanese census data, Miyagi prefecture experienced its greatest period of growth from 1940 to 1950 and continued to exhibit growth up until
270-463: A major decline to only 7,220 births from October 2018 to September 2019. This is in contrast to the 17,681 deaths recorded during the same period. Finally, Iwate has a net negative migration rate (-2.8) with 21,265 permanently leaving the prefecture and 16,795 entering. The web site of the Iwate prefecture provides the summarized biographies of 'Famous Iwate people' in Japanese and English. On 13 July 869,
315-523: A newly formed SL Ginga " Joyful Train " ( excursion train ) began operating on the line at weekends using the restored JNR Class C58 steam locomotive C58 239 together with a train of four modified former KiHa 141 series diesel cars purchased from JR Hokkaido (themselves rebuilt from earlier 50 series passenger coaches and made surplus to requirements following the electrification of the Sasshō Line ). The diesel cars provide additional power to cope with
360-434: A population of 1,165,886 (as of July 1, 2023). Iwate Prefecture borders Aomori Prefecture to the north, Akita Prefecture to the west, and Miyagi Prefecture to the south. Morioka is the capital and largest city of Iwate Prefecture; other major cities include Ichinoseki , Ōshū , and Hanamaki . Located on Japan's Pacific Ocean coast, Iwate Prefecture features the easternmost point of Honshu at Cape Todo , and shares
405-451: A population of 1,180,595. Consistent with population trends across Japan , Iwate has experienced a slow, but steady decline in growth since the end of World War II with a major contributing factor being an aging population. As of October 2019, 33.1% of the population was over 65 with 15.4% aged between 65 and 74 and 17.7% over 75. Moreover, the 1950 census saw the most births in the prefecture with 45,968 reported, but since then there has been
450-473: A rainfall, it is said that the devil's hand print can still be seen there. There are many present-day cultural foods popularly eaten in Iwate Prefecture, some of which include walnuts , wanko soba (meaning "bowl noodles") and hittsumi-jiru (meaning "pull and tear", in reference to the way the dough is pulled and torn into oval shapes before being turned into noodles). Iwate's prefectural capital Morioka
495-670: A tsunami from the 1700 Cascadia earthquake struck Iwate Prefecture. No records from North America exist, but the event was reconstructed using Japanese records. On 13 May 1717, The Hanamaki area was struck with a magnitude 7.6 earthquake opening cracks in the ground everywhere. There was also widespread destruction of houses and shops. In Nanbu-han alone, 49,594 people starved to death in the famine of 1755. Severe famines continue from 1783 to 1787 and again from 1832 to 1838. Cholera outbreaks occurred in August 1879, in Miyako and Kuji. In July 1882,
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#1733093425147540-495: Is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu . Miyagi Prefecture has a population of 2,265,724 (1 August 2023) and has a geographic area of 7,282 km (2,812 sq mi). Miyagi Prefecture borders Iwate Prefecture to the north, Akita Prefecture to the northwest, Yamagata Prefecture to the west, and Fukushima Prefecture to the south. Sendai is the capital and largest city of Miyagi Prefecture, and
585-649: Is also popular for its apples, blooming in May and ready for harvest from September to November. Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō visited Iwate and wrote about it in the journey described in his major work Oku no Hosomichi . He was especially inspired by the town of Hiraizumi . While the entire island of Honshū was claimed by the Japanese, or Yamato, government from earliest times, the imperial forces were unable to occupy any part of what would become Iwate until 802 when two powerful Emishi leaders, Aterui and More, surrendered at Fort Isawa. The area now known as Iwate Prefecture
630-493: Is an earthquake-prone country. Large earthquakes occur frequently Miyagi offshore, and earthquakes also occur frequently inland. In the 2011 Tohoku earthquake that occurred Miyagi offshore, Miyagi Prefecture suffered the most damage nationwide. Fourteen cities are located in Miyagi Prefecture: These are the towns and villages in each district : Although Miyagi has a good deal of fishing and agriculture, producing
675-667: Is characterized by the Kitakami River which flows from north to south between the Ōu and Kitakami mountain ranges. It is the fourth longest river in Japan and the longest in Tōhoku. The basin of the Kitakami is large and fertile providing room for the prefecture's largest cities, industrial parks and farms. In the past Iwate has been famous for its mineral wealth especially in the form of gold, iron, coal and sulfur but these are no longer produced. There
720-425: Is now Sanriku town, reaching 24 metres (79 ft) in height. 18,158 people died in Iwate alone while some 10,000 homes were destroyed. Fishermen fishing the ocean about 20 miles (32 km) offshore felt nothing, then returning home the next morning found the shore littered with their homes and the bodies of their loved ones. In September 1899, dysentery spread throughout the prefecture killing 2,070 people. There
765-449: Is still an abundance of hot water for onsen, or hot springs, which is the basis of a thriving industry. The forests of the prefecture are another valuable resource. Before World War II the forests were mainly composed of beech but since then there has been a huge swing towards the production of faster growing Japanese cedar. Recently, though, there has been a push to restore the original beech forests in some areas. As of 31 March 2019, 5% of
810-693: Is the fifth worst earthquake in Japan since 1923. Small explosions shook Mt. Iwate throughout 1934 and 1935. In August 1957, there was volcanic activity on Mt. Kurikoma. There was volcanic activity on Mt. Akita-Komagatake from September to December 1970 with lava flows visible from Morioka. In 2003, earthquakes struck on 26 May (M7.0 off the coast of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture), 25 July (three jolts of M5.5, 6.2 and 5.3 in southern Iwate) and 26 September (M8.3 in Hokkaido but strongly felt in Iwate). Miyagi Prefecture Miyagi Prefecture ( 宮城県 , Miyagi-ken )
855-609: The daimyō Date Masamune . The remains of Sendai Castle stand on a hill above the city. Miyagi Prefecture boasts one of Japan's three greatest sights. Matsushima , the pine-clad islands, dot the waters off the coast of the prefecture. The following are also noted as attractions: Miyagi Prefecture is one of the main settings of the manga and anime series Haikyū!! . The most well-known fictional schools located there are Karasuno High School, Aoba Johsai High School, Date Tech High and Shiratorizawa Academy, as well as Sendai City Gymnasium. Another anime series Wake Up, Girls!
900-482: The Pacific Ocean , and contains Tōhoku's largest city, Sendai. There are high mountains on the west and along the northeast coast, but the central plain around Sendai is fairly large. Matsushima is known as one of the three most scenic views of Japan , with a bay full of 260 small islands covered in pine groves. Oshika Peninsula projects from the northern coastline of the prefecture. As of 31 March 2019, 24% of
945-536: The Three Views of Japan , near the town of Matsushima . Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu . On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a subsequent major tsunami hit Miyagi Prefecture, causing major damage to the area. The tsunami was estimated to be approximately 10 metres (33 ft) high in Miyagi Prefecture. On April 7, 2011, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off
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#1733093425147990-534: The Yamada Line . Six JNR Class D51 2-8-2 steam locomotives were subsequently transferred to the line, displacing some of the earlier D50s, but steam haulage on the line was entirely replaced by diesel haulage from March 1967. Iwate Prefecture Iwate Prefecture ( 岩手県 , Iwate-ken ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu . It is the second-largest Japanese prefecture at 15,275 square kilometres (5,898 sq mi), with
1035-583: The Ōu Mountains and Mutsu Province. In 729 Kokuseki-ji Temple was founded in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City by the itinerant priest Gyōki . Little is known about relations between these Japanese frontiersmen and the native Emishi but in 776 they took a turn for the worse when large forces of the Yamato army invaded Iwate attacking the Isawa and Shiwa tribes in February and November of that year. More fighting occurred
1080-470: The 21st century. Nevertheless, like the majority of Japan , the population of Miyagi has begun to slowly decline. The prefectural capital of Sendai , however, has seen a moderate, but steady rise in population over the past twenty years. The sports teams listed below are based in Miyagi Prefecture. Also, the Sendai Hi-Land Raceway hosts motorsport road races. Sendai was the castle town of
1125-532: The Final Jōmon Period (1,300–300 BC). The earliest mention of a Japanese presence dates to about 630 when the Hakusan Shrine was said to have been built on Mt. Kanzan in what is now Hiraizumi. At this time various Japanese traders, hunters, adventurers, priests and criminals made their way to Iwate. In 712 the province of Mutsu , containing all of Tōhoku , was divided into Dewa Province , the area west of
1170-590: The beginning of the Meiji Restoration. Iwate faces the Pacific Ocean to the east with sheer, rocky cliffs along most of the shoreline interrupted by a few sandy beaches. The border with Akita Prefecture on the west is generally formed by the highest points of the Ōu Mountains . Aomori Prefecture is to the north and Miyagi Prefecture is to the south. The Ōu mountains on the west still contain active volcanoes such as Mt. Iwate (at 2,038 metres (6,686 ft)
1215-431: The coast of Miyagi, Japan. Workers were then evacuated from the nearby troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility once again, as a tsunami warning was issued for the coastline. Residents were told to flee for inner land at that time. In 2013, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako visited the prefecture to see the progress made since the tsunami. Miyagi Prefecture is in the central part of Tōhoku , facing
1260-544: The emperor and beheaded at Moriyama in Kawachi Province against the wishes of General Sakanoue. This act of cruelty enraged the Emishi leading to another twenty or more years of fighting. After the surrender numerous forts were built on the Chinese model along the Kitakami River. In 802, Fort Isawa was built in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City, in 803, Fort Shiwa was built in what is now Morioka City, and in 812 Fort Tokutan
1305-667: The highest peaks of the Ōu Mountains —the longest mountain range in Japan—at the border with Akita Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture is home to famous attractions such as Morioka Castle , the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji , the Fujiwara no Sato movie lot and theme park in Ōshū, and the Tenshochi park in Kitakami known for its huge, ancient cherry trees . Iwate has
1350-467: The highest point in the prefecture) and Mt. Kurikoma (1,627 metres (5,338 ft)). But the Kitakami Mountains running through the middle of the prefecture from north to south are much older and have not been active for thousands of years. Mt. Hayachine (1,917 metres (6,289 ft)) lies at the heart of the Kitakami range. Besides these two mountain ranges and the rugged coastline, the prefecture
1395-415: The largest city in the Tōhoku region, with other major cities including Ishinomaki , Ōsaki , and Tome . Miyagi Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern Pacific coast and bounded to the west by the Ōu Mountains , the longest mountain range in Japan, with 24% of its total land area being designated as Natural Parks . Miyagi Prefecture is home to Matsushima Islands , a group of islands ranked as one of
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1440-431: The legend, there was once a devil who often tormented and harassed the local people. When the people prayed to the spirits of Mitsuishi for protection, the devil was immediately shackled to these rocks and forced to make a promise never to trouble the people again. As a seal of his oath, the devil made a handprint on one of the rocks, thus giving rise to the name Iwate, its direct translation being "rock hand". Even now after
1485-608: The line became the "Kamaishi Line". Motive power for the line was provided by six JNR Class 231 steam locomotives, built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in the USA, and numbered 231 to 236. Work started on upgrading and re-gauging the line, and the first section, the 31.2 km from Hanamaki to Kashiwagidaira was regauged to the standard Japanese track gauge of 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in ) and re-opened from September 1943. The mining railway between Rikuchū-Ōhashi and Kamaishi
1530-522: The line's gradients. The coach design work was overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama . Following the full opening of the line in 1950, passenger and freight services on the line were hauled by JNR Class D50 2-8-2 steam locomotives, necessary to negotiate the steep gradients on the line of up 25 ‰ . A couple of JNR Class 8620 steam locomotives were also used for shunting at Kamaishi Station. JNR Class C58 2-6-2 steam locomotives were also used on both passenger and freight services running to and from
1575-539: The lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido , 5% of its total land area having been designated as National Parks . There are several theories about the origin of the name "Iwate", but the most well known is the tale Oni no tegata , which is associated with the Mitsuishi or "Three Rocks" Shrine in Morioka. These rocks are said to have been thrown down into Morioka by an eruption of Mt. Iwate. According to
1620-613: The next and following years but mostly in Dewa and the area south of present-day Iwate prefecture. This situation continued until March 787 when the Yamato army suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Sufuse Village in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City. There the Emishi leaders and Aterui leading a large cavalry force trapped the Yamato infantry and pushed them into the Kitakami River where their heavy armour proved deadly. Over 1,000 soldiers drowned that day. The Japanese general Ki no Asami Kosami
1665-482: The total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely Towada-Hachimantai and Sanriku Fukkō National Parks; Kurikoma and Hayachine Quasi-National Parks; and Goyōzan , Hanamaki Onsenkyō , Kuji-Hiraniwa , Murone Kōgen , Oritsume Basenkyō , Sotoyama-Hayasaka Heights , and Yuda Onsenkyō Prefectural Natural Parks. Fourteen cities are located in Iwate Prefecture: These are
1710-510: The total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely the Sanriku Fukkō National Park; Kurikoma and Zaō Quasi-National Parks; and Abukuma Keikoku , Asahiyama , Funagata Renpō , Futakuchi Kyōkoku , Kenjōsan Mangokuura , Kesennuma , Matsushima , and Zaō Kōgen Prefectural Natural Parks. In addition, Miyagi Prefecture is a prefecture that is particularly prone to earthquakes even in Japan, which
1755-451: The towns and villages in each district : Iwate's industry is concentrated around Morioka and specializes in semiconductor and communications manufacturing. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 3.9% of Japan's beef and 14.4% of broiler chickens. In 2009, 866 tons of dolphins and whales were harvested off the coast of Iwate, accounting for more than half of Japan's total catch of 1,404 tons. As of October 1, 2022, Iwate Prefecture had
1800-456: Was "rebuked" by the Emperor Kanmu when he returned to Kyoto. Since the Japanese could not win on the battlefield they resorted to other means to conquer the Emishi. Trade for superior quality iron wares and sake made the Emishi dependent on the Japanese for these valuable goods. Bribes were offered to the Emishi leaders in the form of Japanese citizenship and rank if they would defect. Finally
1845-543: Was a widespread crop failure due to violent storms in September 1902. Only 32,900 tons of rice were produced in Iwate, just 30% of the previous year's harvest. In 1905, there was again a massive crop failure due to heavy rain and cold leading to famine in 1906. People were reduced to eating straw, acorns and roots. In 1919, a small eruption occurred at Nishi-Iwate. On 3 March 1933, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck offshore killing 3,008 people and destroying 7,479 homes. This
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1890-617: Was also upgraded to 1,067 mm gauge by October 1944 to meet the urgent need for increased capacity to transport iron ore during the war period, and was named the Kamaishi East Line ( 釜石東線 , Kamaishi-Higashi-sen ) . The entire 90.2 km line was finally completed between Hanamaki and Kamaishi in June 1950, opening to traffic on 10 October of that year. All stations are in Iwate Prefecture . Kamaishi Line services are operated using KiHa 110 series diesel trains. From 12 April 2014,
1935-710: Was built also in Morioka. In the latter part of the Heian period , the town of Hiraizumi in what is now southern Iwate became the capital of the Northern Fujiwara . The warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune fled here after the Genpei War . Until the Meiji Restoration , the area of Iwate prefecture was part of Mutsu Province . Iwate Prefecture was created in 1876, in the aftermath of the Boshin Civil War , which heralded
1980-784: Was inhabited by the Jōmon people who left their artifacts throughout the prefecture. For example, a large number of burial pits from the Middle Jōmon Period (2,800–1,900 BC) have been found in Nishida. Various sites from the Late Jōmon Period (1,900–1,300 BC) including Tateishi, Makumae and Hatten contain clay figurines, masks and ear and nose shaped clay artifacts. The Kunenbashi site in Kitakami City has yielded stone "swords", tablets and tools as well as clay figurines, earrings and potsherds from
2025-407: Was to link with Kamaishi Mine and Kamaishi Port, but at an altitude of 887m, the mountain pass at Sennintōge prevented immediate expansion eastward to Kamaishi. A ropeway conveyor was used to convey goods onward to Ōhashi, from where a 16 km 762mm (2'6") gauge mining railway (which operated between 1915 and 1965) provided the service to Kamaishi. The railway was nationalized in August 1936, and
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