Welcome to Nobeoka

Nobeoka city is found in the north of Miyazaki prefecture on the island of Kyushu. Kyushu is the southern-most of the main islands of Japan and, with an area of roughly 35,000 square kilometres, it is the third biggest. It is about 3 and half times smaller than England. In the last census, the population of Nobeoka was estimated at over 130,000.

Nobeoka exists in a fairly remote part of Japan. The closest cities, Miyazaki and Oita, are about 90 kilometres to the south, and 120 kilometres to the north, respectively. The city fronts onto the Pacific ocean and is also surrounded by mountains.

The climate is hot and humid in the summer and mild in the winter. Temperatures recently have been hitting the mid thirties consistantly. Currently, there is a lot of rain, thunder and impressive lightning that suggests the typhoon season in approaching.


Imayama

But what is the city itself like? Despite 130,000 people living here, the city itself is small. The reality of Nobeoka betrays its city status; for example, you can walk down one of the main roads and not see a single person. Another might be that there is no Starbucks; surely every city in the industrialised world has a Starbucks these days. That there is not is something to pleased about. However, a lot of people, particularly the younger generations, complain that there is nothing to do here. Maybe if Starbucks did come here, there would be a renewed love for the city from the dissatisfied youth; I imagine its opening to be something of a red letter day. Still, enough of Starbucks. The city boasts so much natural wealth. The mountains are great for hiking; the rivers are clean and refreshing, and there is a very, very long beach too. Personally, I enjoy simply walking around aimlessly, through the numerous rice paddies, into the mountains or the neighbouring towns. The city is not really a city in my mind, just a gathering of people in a place happened to blessed with a superb environment.

Nobeoka, a city nestled in the Kyushu mountains and caressed by the lapping waves of the Pacific exists as it does primarily because of Asahi Kasei. This economic powerhouse, one of the world's biggest, has been resilient enough to withstand the economic depression that has reeked havoc all over Japan and the world. This company has so many fingers in so many pies, but I am informed that it is most renowned for chemical and fibre production. In Nobeoka, a great proportion of the people are employed by the factories and offices that are scattered around the city. The two main plants are perhaps the most helpful navigational tools for someone living in Nobeoka; with their two huge smoke chimleys, painted red and white and visible from virtually everywhere, you can easily find your way. Admittedly, the city's intrinsic beauty is a little spoiled by their presence, but eventually you begin to accept them as part of the charm of the city.