Toyooka history

Origins and Formation of the City

The history of Toyooka is rooted in deep antiquity. The territory of the modern city was historically the centre of the ancient Tajima Province. The settlement began to actively form due to its advantageous location in the basin of the Maruyama River, which served as a vital transport artery connecting the inland areas with the Sea of Japan.

Key Stages of Development

The development of Toyooka as a significant administrative and trading centre is closely linked to several factors:

• Castle Town Status: During the Edo period, Toyooka flourished as a "jokamachi" — a castle town. Toyooka Castle became the political core around which districts for samurai, artisans, and merchants expanded.
• Geography and Logistics: The Maruyama River allowed for the efficient transport of goods, which contributed to transforming the city into a key economic hub of the region.
• Historical Amalgamation: The modern city has united several ancient settlements, including the famous Kinosaki district, whose history as a resort spans over 1,300 years.

Early Crafts and Cultural Features

The economic identity of the region began to form many centuries ago thanks to unique traditions:

• The Art of Weaving: The region has long been famous for the production of "yanagi-gori" — baskets woven from willow that grows along the river. This ancient craft, mentioned in documents from the 8th century, laid the foundation for the modern bag manufacturing industry for which the city is renowned.
• Traditions of Hospitality: Thanks to the hot springs in the vicinity, the culture of welcoming travellers and pilgrims became an integral part of the local population's life as early as the Nara period.

Key Historical Milestones

• 720: According to legend, the Buddhist monk Dochi Shonin founded the famous Kinosaki Hot Springs after a thousand days of prayer.
• 1600: Toyooka began to develop as an important castle town (jokamachi) and the centre of a feudal domain in Tajima Province.
• 1871: During the Meiji administrative reforms, Toyooka Prefecture was established, which five years later became part of Hyogo Prefecture.
• 1925: The devastating North Tajima Earthquake led to massive destruction and the subsequent complete rebuilding of the city's infrastructure.
• 1950: The town of Toyooka merged with neighbouring villages and officially received city status (Shi).
• 1963: The region's picturesque coastline was included in the San'in Kaigan National Park.
• 1971: The last wild Oriental White Stork in Japan died in Toyooka, which marked the beginning of a national programme to revive the species.
• 2005: A large-scale merger took place between the old city of Toyooka and five neighbouring municipalities (Kinosaki, Izushi, Takeno, Hidaka, and Tanto).
• 2005: The first successful release of captive-bred storks into the wild took place, becoming a symbol of the city's ecological success.
• 2010: The San'in Kaigan Geopark, covering the city's territory, received the status of a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Key Stages of Development and City Transformation

The modern appearance of Toyooka is the result of a complex interweaving of ancient traditions, natural disasters, and conscious economic decisions. Below are the main milestones that defined the cultural and urban landscape of the city.

• Evolution from Willow Weaving to the Bag Industry
  The traditional craft of making willow baskets ("yanagi-gori") transformed into modern luggage production during the Meiji era. This economic transformation made Toyooka the "Bag Capital" of Japan, where a significant share of all domestic bags is produced today. The city has maintained its status as an industrial centre by adapting ancient skills to modern needs.
• Urban Renaissance after the 1925 Earthquake
  The devastating North Tajima Earthquake became a turning point for the region's architecture. The restoration of the Kinosaki resort and the centre of Toyooka was conducted with fire safety and seismic resistance in mind. The famous stone embankments and three-story wooden ryokans, which form the current postcard view of the resort, are the result of this large-scale reconstruction.
• Ecological Reorientation of Agriculture
  The programme to return the Oriental White Stork to the wild required radical changes in the agricultural sector's economy. Local farmers moved away from pesticides, switching to organic farming (the "Stork Natural Farming Method"). This not only saved the species but also created a unique gastronomic brand for the region — ecologically clean rice and vegetables.
• Museification of the Izushi District
  Preserving the historical quarter of Izushi as "Little Kyoto" was a significant cultural decision. The conservation of the ancient layout, samurai residences, and the Shinkoro Clock Tower allowed the former castle town to be turned into a popular tourism cluster specialising in history and gastronomy (Izushi Soba noodles).
• Administrative Consolidation of 2005
  The merger of Toyooka City with five neighbouring towns created a unified space with colossal tourism potential. This combined the Kannabe ski resorts, Kinosaki hot springs, historical Izushi, and the Takeno coast into one administrative unit, allowing for the optimisation of infrastructure and transport flows.
• UNESCO Geopark Recognition
  The inclusion of the coastline in the San'in Kaigan Global Geopark stimulated the development of scientific and educational tourism. This shifted the focus from purely recreational holidays to educational routes that highlight the geological uniqueness of the Sea of Japan's formation.

Architectural Evolution and Urban Planning

Toyooka's architectural appearance is a unique mosaic where preserved feudal quarters coexist with structures from Japan's modernisation period and buildings erected after the catastrophic earthquake of 1925. The urban space is clearly zoned by historical eras.

Edo Period (1603–1868): Traditional Architecture

The layout of a classic castle town (jokamachi) has been preserved in the Izushi district. Wooden architecture characteristic of feudal Japan predominates here.

• Style: Traditional Japanese residential architecture (machiya) and samurai residences.
• Features: White plastered walls, black tiles, latticed windows, and earthen walls. The streets are designed in a grid pattern for castle defence.
• Iconic Sites:
  • Izushi Castle Ruins: Preserved stone walls and reconstructed gates.
  • Samurai Elder's Residence (Karo-yashiki): A well-preserved home of a high-ranking samurai featuring hidden staircases and defensive elements.

Meiji Period (1868–1912): Early Westernisation

The period of Japan opening up to the West is reflected in the appearance of public structures combining Japanese construction with Western functional elements.

• Style: Eclectic, early Japanese pseudo-European style (Giyofu).
• Iconic Site: Shinkoro in Izushi. Originally built as a drum tower, it was converted into a clock tower in 1881, becoming a symbol of modernisation and the oldest clock tower of its kind in Japan.

Showa Period (1926–1989): Modernism of Reconstruction

After the North Tajima Earthquake (1925), the centre of Toyooka and the Kinosaki resort were rebuilt from scratch. This formed a unique architectural ensemble of "1930s modernity".

• Style: Early Modernism, Art Deco, and "Kanban-kenchiku" (signboard architecture).
• Urban Planning Solution: In Kinosaki, contrary to the Japanese tradition of that time to build two-story houses, three-story wooden ryokans were permitted. This created a recognisable dense facade along the Otani River, reminiscent of theatrical scenery.
• Iconic Sites:
  • Toyooka 1925 (Former Hyogo Prefectural Agricultural and Industrial Bank): A building constructed in 1934 in the Renaissance Revival style with modernist elements. It now houses a hotel and restaurant that preserve the atmosphere of the Showa era.
  • City Hall Building (Old Wing): An example of functional public architecture from the mid-20th century.

Modernity: Ecological Minimalism

The city's newest buildings are oriented towards integration with nature, dictated by the Geopark status and the stork protection programme.

• Style: Contemporary Japanese minimalism, use of natural materials (wood, glass).
• Iconic Site: Kinosaki International Arts Center: A modern space for theatrical arts, harmoniously blended into the forest landscape, demonstrating a rejection of monumentality in favour of eco-friendliness.

Notable Figures Associated with the City

Toyooka's history is rich with the names of people whose achievements went far beyond the region. From legendary monks of antiquity to world-renowned modern explorers, these figures have shaped the city's cultural and historical code.

• Naomi Uemura (1941–1984)
  Extreme traveller, explorer
  A native of the Hidaka district (now part of Toyooka). Uemura became the first person in history to reach the North Pole alone and the first to raft down the Amazon solo. A memorial museum dedicated to his life and achievements is open in the city. He is a national hero of Japan and a symbol of unbending will.
• Takuan Soho (1573–1645)
  Zen Buddhist monk, calligrapher, poet
  Born in the village of Izushi. Takuan was one of the most influential figures of Zen Buddhism in the Edo period, a mentor to shoguns and famous swordsmen (including Miyamoto Musashi). He is credited with inventing the popular pickled radish snack — "takuan". The Sukyoji Temple in Izushi, which he restored, is an important landmark.
• Naoya Shiga (1883–1971)
  Writer, classic of Japanese literature
  Although Shiga was not born in Toyooka, his connection to the city is fundamental. After an accident, he came to Kinosaki Onsen for treatment, where he wrote his famous short story "At Kinosaki" (Ki no Saki ni te). This work brought nationwide fame to the local hot springs and made the city a place of pilgrimage for writers and intellectuals.
• Kiyonaga Ito (1911–2001)
  Western-style painter (Yoga)
  A native of Izushi, awarded the Order of Culture. Ito became famous for his figurative paintings, characterised by soft lines and unique lighting. The Kiyonaga Ito Art Museum operates in Toyooka, housing a significant collection of his canvases donated to his homeland.
• Dochi Shonin (8th Century)
  Buddhist Monk
  A semi-legendary historical figure and the founder of Kinosaki resort. According to legend, between 717–720, he prayed for a thousand days (Mandara-gyo) to heal people from illnesses, after which a hot spring gushed from the ground. He is revered as the patron saint of the city, and festivals in his honour are regularly held at Onsen-ji Temple.
• Takashi Shimura (1905–1982)
  Film Actor
  One of director Akira Kurosawa's favourite actors (known for roles in the films "Seven Samurai" and "Ikiru"). Shimura spent his youth in Toyooka and graduated from the local middle school. The city takes pride in the fact that the character of this future master of Japanese cinema was formed here.