Hinase, Okayama
Encyclopedia
was a town
located in Wake District
, Okayama
, Japan
.
On March 22, 2005 Hinase, along with the towns of Yoshinaga
, also from Wake District
, was merged into the expanded city of Bizen
.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population
of 8,347 and a density
of 232.44 persons per km². The total area was 35.91 km².
Hinase is best best accessed via train, along the Ako line from Okayama station, on the train terminating at Banshu-Ako. Upon arrival at Hinase station, visitors are greeted by the sight of a bay with a huge hill on the other side. Upon the side of the hill is pruned the word Hinase in Hirigana text (ひなせ). At night, this large sign is lit up with light in a beautiful display.
Hinase's main industry is Oyster (kaki) farming. The waters in the area contain many oyster-rafts and are quite picturesque at sunset when viewed from local hilltops. Oyster season is in winter (December to February) and many people come from other towns just to buy oysters from the local fish-market. In mid-February, Hinase hosts its annual Oyster Festival (Kaki-Matsuri. On this day oysters can be purchased fresh and cooked in public BBQ areas for consumption.
Local delicacies, such as Kaki-Oko (Oyster Okonomiyaki), a pancake-type dish with cabbage, vegetables, oysters and a piquant sauce) are proudly served up to visitors and locals alike.
Also famous in the area are Kaki-Fry (fried oysters) which can be served with a sauce, or in a soft-serve ice-cream covered in soya-sauce.
Every summer, on August 13, the town hosts its annual summer fireworks festival (Minato Matsuri). From mid-afternoon, food stalls start selling their fare and amusement stalls offer entertainment for the children. In the evening, the highlight of the festival starts - a display of fireworks over the bay. On a stage nearby, locals perform dances (traditional Japanese-style and modern hip-hop), Taiko (drums) displays and even showcase local bands.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in Wake District
Wake District, Okayama
Wake is a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 30,110 and a density of 112.02 persons per km². The total area is 268.79 km².-History:...
, Okayama
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
On March 22, 2005 Hinase, along with the towns of Yoshinaga
Yoshinaga, Okayama
was a town located in Wake District, Okayama, Japan.On March 22, 2005 Yoshinaga, along with the town of Hinase, also from Wake District, was merged into the expanded city of Bizen....
, also from Wake District
Wake District, Okayama
Wake is a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 30,110 and a density of 112.02 persons per km². The total area is 268.79 km².-History:...
, was merged into the expanded city of Bizen
Bizen, Okayama
is a city located in Okayama, Japan. The city is particularly famous for its Bizen-yaki pottery. It is also home to literary critic Hakuchō Masamune's birthplace, which is now a museum....
.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 8,347 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 232.44 persons per km². The total area was 35.91 km².
Hinase is best best accessed via train, along the Ako line from Okayama station, on the train terminating at Banshu-Ako. Upon arrival at Hinase station, visitors are greeted by the sight of a bay with a huge hill on the other side. Upon the side of the hill is pruned the word Hinase in Hirigana text (ひなせ). At night, this large sign is lit up with light in a beautiful display.
Hinase's main industry is Oyster (kaki) farming. The waters in the area contain many oyster-rafts and are quite picturesque at sunset when viewed from local hilltops. Oyster season is in winter (December to February) and many people come from other towns just to buy oysters from the local fish-market. In mid-February, Hinase hosts its annual Oyster Festival (Kaki-Matsuri. On this day oysters can be purchased fresh and cooked in public BBQ areas for consumption.
Local delicacies, such as Kaki-Oko (Oyster Okonomiyaki), a pancake-type dish with cabbage, vegetables, oysters and a piquant sauce) are proudly served up to visitors and locals alike.
Also famous in the area are Kaki-Fry (fried oysters) which can be served with a sauce, or in a soft-serve ice-cream covered in soya-sauce.
Every summer, on August 13, the town hosts its annual summer fireworks festival (Minato Matsuri). From mid-afternoon, food stalls start selling their fare and amusement stalls offer entertainment for the children. In the evening, the highlight of the festival starts - a display of fireworks over the bay. On a stage nearby, locals perform dances (traditional Japanese-style and modern hip-hop), Taiko (drums) displays and even showcase local bands.