Minabe, Wakayama

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Location of Minabe in Wakayama Prefecture.

Minabe (みなべ町, Minabe-chō^?) is a town located in the Hidaka District of Wakayama in central Japan. It was formed on October 1, 2004 when the town of Minabe (南部町, Minabe-chō^?) merged with the town of Minabegawa to form the new town of Minabe (みなべ町, Minabe-chō^?). The current population of Minabe is slightly over 15,000 people.

[edit] Geography

Minabe is located at the southernmost edge of the Hidaka District in central Wakayama, which is itself at the bottom of the Kansai Region of Japan. The center of town, including the train station, government buildings, and business district all lie around the basin of the Minabe River as it flows into the Pacific Ocean. From this river basin, Minabe extends northeast along the Minabe River up an increasingly narrow mountain valley. This upper area of town is lightly populated and is mainly comprised of farmland and forest.

[edit] Economy

Minabe has the unique claim of being the largest producer of not one, but two, important agricultual products in Japan. The most well-known, and important, to the local economy are Umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum). These are the lifeblood of the town. Almost every townsperson is somehow involved in either the growing or production of these plums. The plums are primarily grown on the hillsides and mountainsides of the small valley around the Minabe River. Ume are used almost inclusively in food products ranging from the aforementioned Umeboshi to cooking sauces to ice cream.

The other product is a traditional charcoal called Binchōtan.^{[citation needed]} This charcoal is produced in small, family-operated outdoor kilns primarily in the upper mountainous areas of Minabe. It is used in a wide variety of products: soaps and shampoos, ornaments, musical instruments, air fresheners, and many others.

While much of Minabe's economy is agricultural, it does have several businesses and other industries. The town supports a small business district centered around its train station, as well as 3 full-service hotels and several restaurants and cafes.