Niihama
Niihama City in Ehime Prefecture is a bustling industrial city of 122,000 people on the north coast of Shikoku. Although its Inland Sea shoreline is dominated by Sumitomo factories, there are many scenic areas such as Takinomiya Park and Yamane Park.
Attractions of Niihama include Minetopia Besshi, Ehime Science Museum, Hirose House, Zuiō-ji Temple (twice visited by the Dalai Lama), hiking in the nearby mountains, shopping at the massive Aeon Mall and the intense Taiko Festival held every October.
In the Middle Ages, Niihama was the base of the Nii Clan, one of the kaizoku maritime clans of the Inland Sea area. The name of the city means the beach of the Nii.
During World War II, POW camps were located in Niihama, housing Australian, Chinese and Dutch prisoners.
Niihama is bordered by Saijō to the west and Shikokuchuo to the east. In the mountains far south of central Niihama is the border with Kōchi Prefecture.
The island of Ōshima, in the Inland Sea to the northeast of the city, is part of Niihama.
Information
Name in Japanese: 新居浜
Pronunciation: nee-hama
Address: Niihama City, Ehime
