Phone number 0225-82-1111 Population 39,689 (Jun 2014) | - Flower Sakura Area 101.9 km² Local time Saturday 2:06 PM | |
 | ||
Weather 6°C, Wind NW at 18 km/h, 53% Humidity Points of interest Mt Otakamori, 奥松島縄文村歴史資料館 The Hi, Former Nobiru Station, Takisan Park, Sagakei Gorge | ||
Higashi-Matsushima City (東松島市, Higashimatsushima-shi) is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2014, the city had an estimated population of 39,689 and a population density of 390 persons per km². The total area was 101.86 km².
Contents
- Map of Higashimatsushima Miyagi Prefecture Japan
- Geography
- Neighboring municipalities
- History
- 2011 earthquake disaster
- Economy
- Railway
- Highway
- Local attractions
- Noted people from Higashi Matsushima
- References
Map of Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Geography
Higashi-Matsushima (lit. “East Matsushima”) is in eastern Miyagi Prefecture. The city borders on Matsushima Bay to the west and the Pacific Ocean (Ishinomaki Bay) to the south. Its coastline forms part of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park, which stretches north to Aomori Prefecture.
Neighboring municipalities
History
The area of present-day Higashi-Matsushima was part of ancient Mutsu Province. During the Sengoku period, the area was contested by various samurai clans before the area came under the control of the Date clan of Sendai Domain during the Edo period, under the Tokugawa shogunate. The modern city of Higashi-Matsushima was created on April 1, 2005, when the towns of Naruse and Yamoto (both formally from Monou District) were merged to create the new city.
2011 earthquake disaster
On March 11, 2011, Higashi-Matsushima was severely hit by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami resulting in at least 1,039 deaths, and the destruction of over 11,000 structures, or approximately two-thirds of the buildings in the city limits. During the tsunami, a 45-metre ship, the Chōkai Maru, was hurled over a pier and left aground in the city. At the time of the disaster, Higashi-Matsushima had still not fully recovered from a previous major earthquake in 2003. About 63% of the town was inundated by the tsunami.
Economy
Higashi-Matsushima traditionally has been a center for commercial fishing, especially for the cultivation of oysters and on tourism. The Japan Air Self Defense Force’s Matsushima Air Field is located in Higashi-Matsushima.