Minabe, Wakayama

Minabe (みなべ町, Minabe-chō) is a small town located in Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. Situated on a small bay of the Pacific ocean and surrounded by mountains, it is a quiet and picturesque farming community of about 14,000 people. Its location has been mentioned in ancient texts since the 8th century, but the basic land area was incorporated in 1889. After a series of village mergers, the present area of Minabe was formed in 2004. Minabe is known for its high-quality apricots, or Japanese apricot. It is also known for a high-quality charcoal called Binchōtan, has good fishing waters, and produces a variety of agricultural goods.

Geography

Minabe is located at the southernmost edge of Hidaka District in central Wakayama Prefecture. The main part of Minabe, including the train station, government buildings, and business district, lies around the basin of the Minabe River as it flows into Minabe Bay on the Pacific Ocean. There are three distinguishing features of Minabe Bay: Kashima Island situated approximately 1 km offshore, a long non-swimming beach that runs parallel to the central business district, and two prominent rocky points at either end. The central area of town is largely flat and comprises the majority of houses and people. It is moderately populated, with many cultivated fields and buildings.