Maibara, Shiga

Maibara
米原市
City

The Shinkansen streaks past Mt. Ibuki before reaching Maibara Station.

Location of Maibara in Shiga Prefecture
Maibara

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 35°19′N 136°17′E / 35.317°N 136.283°E / 35.317; 136.283Coordinates: 35°19′N 136°17′E / 35.317°N 136.283°E / 35.317; 136.283
Country Japan
Region Kansai
Prefecture Shiga Prefecture
Area
  Total 250.46 km2 (96.70 sq mi)
Population (2010)
  Total 40,349
  Density 161/km2 (420/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address 3-3 Shimotara, Maibara-shi, Shiga-ken
521-8501
Website www.city.maibara.lg.jp

Maibara (米原市 Maibara-shi) is a city in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

As of August 1, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 40,349 and a population density of 161 persons per km². The total area is 250.46 km².

History

Maibara city hall

The modern city of Maibara was established on February 14, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Maihara, Santō and Ibuki (all from in Sakata District). The adjacent town of Ōmi was merged into Maibara on October 1, 2005. The new city name was based on the name of Japan Railways' Maibara Station which many people in Japan knew as a station on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line.

Geography

The city is in the northeast region of Shiga Prefecture. Its area occupies 5.1% of Shiga's total land area. The west end of the city fronts Lake Biwa, while the mountainous east side borders on Sekigahara, Gifu Prefecture.

Mt. Ibuki is in the northeastern part of the prefecture. It is Maibara's most prominent landmark and designated as one of Japan's 100 most famous peaks. The Anegawa River and Amanogawa River empty into Lake Biwa and about 70 percent of the city comprises forest land. The city thus boasts an abundance of water and greenery.

Tourism

Maibara is mainly served by the JR Tōkaidō Line along which you can find Kashiwabara, Ōmi-Nagaoka, Samegai, and Maibara stations. Maibara Station serves the Shinkansen: From Tokyo, Maibara can be reached in about two and a half hours.

The city has a number of major sightseeing spots:

Festivals & events

External links

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