Takahashi River Basin Special Feature

The Takahashi River is a first-class river flowing through the western part of Okayama Prefecture.
Along with the Yoshii River and Asahi River, it is counted as one of the three major rivers of Okayama, boasting the largest watershed area among the three when including the basins of Okayama and Hiroshima Prefectures.

Major tributaries include the Nariwa River and the Oda River, with the main basin primarily in the former Bichu Province, and parts of the tributary basin extending into Hiroshima Prefecture.

Originating from Hanamiyama (elevation 1,188 meters: Niimi City), it flows through the Kibi Highlands and empties into the Seto Inland Sea at Mizushima (Kurashiki City). From ancient times in the Kibi Province to the medieval period in Niimi-jo, the early modern period in Bitchu Matsuyama, and the modern era in Kurashiki, the history, culture, and industry of each era are spread throughout the basin.

Following in the footsteps of the businessman who founded the Ohara Museum of Art, 大原孫三郎（Ohara Magosaburo）, 大原總一郎（Ohara Soichiro） proposed viewing the Takahashi River as a "fateful shared resource," leading to the establishment of the Takahashi River Basin Federation in 1954.

In line with this purpose, in 2015, seven cities and three towns in the basin signed a cooperation agreement related to the formation of a core urban area for the Takahashi River Basin, working towards integrated regional development.

Kurashiki City

Located at the mouth of the main stream of the Takahashi River, the old Kurashiki area, including the Bikan Historical Area, Kojima, Tamashima, Chayamachi, Mabi, and Funao, each has its own culture and industry.

The Mizushima area, facing the Seto Inland Sea, is home to one of the largest industrial complexes in western Japan, with significant industrial output.

Mabi Town, which was affected by the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, is also known as the birthplace of 吉備真備（Kibi no Makibi）, a politician and scholar from the Nara period, and served as the venue for the G7 Education Ministers' Meeting held in 2016.

Niimi City

Located in the northwestern part of Okayama Prefecture, the southeastern part of the city features a limestone karst plateau. In the winter, quality snow accumulates in the mountainous areas. It is situated upstream of the Takahashi River, where ayu and amago fish inhabit. The southern part has caves such as 井倉洞（Ikurado Cave）.

From the Heian period to the Sengoku period, it flourished as a manor of the imperial family and Toji Temple (Kyoto), inheriting traditional cultures such as Watari Byoshi and taiko rice planting.

Currently, agricultural products such as 千屋牛（Chiyagyu Beef） are local specialties.

Takahashi City

The main stream of the Takahashi River and one of its major tributaries, the Nariwa River, flow through this area.
From autumn to winter, sea of clouds can often be seen from scenic spots, and the existing mountain castle, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, is referred to as the "Castle in the Sky."

The Fukiya area once thrived as a source of bengara (red iron oxide), and the townscape with red plaster walls remains today.

Since the Edo period, this area has been known for its enthusiasm for education, establishing institutions such as Junsei Girls' School, one of the earliest in Okayama Prefecture, during the Meiji period.

Soja City

This area is said to have been the center of ancient Kibi Province, with numerous ancient tombs and Bichu Kokubun-ji Temple remaining.

There are legends of 吉備津彦命（Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto）, who is said to be the model for the legend of Momotaro, and the demon god 温羅（Ura）, and the ruins of "Kinojo Castle," which is believed to have been built by the ancient Yamato court, are found in this town. It is also known as the birthplace of the great painter 雪舟（Sesshu）.

Hayashima Town

Hayashima Town is the smallest town in Okayama Prefecture in terms of area and has the highest population density. It is surrounded on all sides by Okayama City and Kurashiki City, serving as a bedroom community for both.

It is an important transportation hub, with the Okayama Prefectural General Distribution Center, one of the largest in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, spanning Hayashima Town and Okayama City, and the convention facility "Convex Okayama" also located here.

Yakage Town

Yakage Town was once a post town on the old Sanyo Road, where there are records of Atsuhime staying while traveling from Satsuma to Edo to marry into the shogunate family.

The town center still retains the townscape of the past, including the remains of the honjin (main inn) and wakihonjin (sub-inn), and there are ongoing efforts to renovate old houses into accommodations.

The Oda River, one of the main tributaries of the Takahashi River, flows through the town, where agriculture is the primary industry, and in recent years, commerce and tourism have been increasing.

Ibara City

The city center spreads across the basin of the Oda River, a tributary of the Takahashi River, while most of the area is surrounded by mountains, forming an agricultural mountain village.

The former Bisei Town claims to be the "Town of Astronomy," having established Japan's first "Light Pollution Prevention Ordinance" in 1989. The Bisei Space Guard Center is also the world's first facility designed for observing space debris.

It is said to be the birthplace of the song "Lullaby of the Chugoku Region," arranged by 山田耕筰（Yamada Kosaku）.

Asakuchi City

Located in the southwestern part of Okayama Prefecture, the Satomi River, a branch of the Oda River, flows through this area.

The town has a rich history of traditional industries and local industries, including noodle production, sake brewing, ornamental plant cultivation, cap making, and straw production.

Due to its suitability for astronomical observation, the Kyoto University Okayama Observatory has been established here, and the "Seimei Telescope," one of the largest telescopes in Asia, named after the local legend of 安倍晴明（Abe no Seimei）, is in operation.

Kankon Town in Asakuchi City has a history of thriving as a temple town for Konkokyo, preserving a retro atmosphere in its townscape.

Satosho Town

Located in the southwestern part of Okayama Prefecture, the Satomi River and the Shinjo River, both branches of the Oda River, flow through this area.

The main industries include agriculture, and there are also food processing factories scattered throughout the town.
In Chinese cuisine, "makomotake" is considered a high-quality ingredient, and efforts are being made to brand it, which can also be enjoyed at local stores.

It is the birthplace of 仁科芳雄（Nishina Yoshio）, known as the father of atomic physics in Japan.

Kasaoka City

Located in the southwestern part of Okayama Prefecture, Kasaoka City has cultural and economic ties with the Bingo region, centered around Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Facing the Seto Inland Sea, it features the vast Kasaoka Bay reclaimed land to the south and the Kasaoka Islands, which consist of 31 islands of various sizes. The 生江浜（Oehama）, a breeding ground for the "living fossil" horseshoe crab, is designated as a national natural monument.

The 白石踊（Shiraishi Odori） from Shiraishi-jima Island in the Kasaoka Islands is designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset of the country.