Himi

Himi is a coastal town located in the northwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It lies within the Chūbu region and is part of the Takaoka subprefecture. The town covers an area of 292.56 square kilometres and, as of the 2020 census, has a population of approximately 11,500 residents, giving it a population density of around 39 persons per square kilometre. The local dialect is a mix of Toyama and Hida linguistic influences.

Geographically, Himi is bounded by the Sea of Japan to the north, the Himi River to the west, and the Hida Mountains to the south and east. The climate is classified as humid continental, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. The town’s economy historically relied on fishing, especially scallops and sea urchins, as well as agriculture in the fertile river plain. In recent decades, tourism has become an important sector, driven by the development of the Himi Marine Park, various onsen (hot spring) resorts, and the annual Himi Sea Festival.

The town government is headed by a mayor and a council elected by local residents. Education is provided by several public elementary and middle schools operated by the town, and higher education students attend institutions in neighboring cities such as Toyama and Takayama. Public transportation is primarily serviced by the JR West railway line, with the Himi Station offering connections to the Hakusan and Toyama lines. Several toll roads and a local bus network facilitate intra‑town travel.

Notable points of interest include the Himi Eighth Monument, a World War II memorial; the historic Kanao Shrine; and the Himi Wooden Boat Museum, which showcases traditional boat-building techniques. Himi has been twinned with the city of Frankfurt-Höchst, Germany since 1978, fostering cultural exchange programs. The town's residents maintain a strong sense of community, with local festivals, culinary traditions, and cooperative governance offering insight into small‑town Japan.NB: All data are approximations and drawn from publicly available government sources.