Ube history

Origins and Foundation of the City

The history of Ube runs deep into the past, although it officially received city status only on 1 November 1921 following the merger of Ube Village and Fujiyama Village. Originally, this area was a collection of small fishing and farming settlements along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. The first mentions of settlements in this region in historical chronicles date back to the Kamakura period (12th–14th centuries), when stable communities began to form here.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of the quiet countryside into a significant industrial centre of Yamaguchi Prefecture was driven by a combination of several important circumstances:

• Coal Deposits: The main driver of development was the discovery of rich coal seams (the Okinoyama coalfield) during the Edo period. Mining, which began as an artisanal trade, radically changed the destiny of the region.
• Geographical Location: Access to the Seto Inland Sea allowed for the establishment of efficient trade routes. The construction of the port made it possible to transport coal and other resources to the industrial centres of Osaka and Tokyo.

Early Economic Features

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the advent of the Meiji era, Ube's economy began to transform rapidly. The focus shifted from traditional fishing and agriculture towards heavy industry. It was here that initiatives to create infrastructure for coal mining originated, which subsequently led to the development of the chemical and cement industries, forming the unique industrial character of the city that persists to this day.

Major Milestones in the History of Ube

The history of the city is a journey from a small mining settlement to a modern centre of art and industry. Below are the key dates that have shaped the appearance of modern Ube.

• 1897: Foundation of the Okinoyama coal mine, laying the groundwork for transforming the region into a powerful industrial hub.
• 1921: Official designation of city status following the administrative merger of Ube Village and Fujiyama Village.
• 1942: Establishment of Ube Industries, Ltd., which united key enterprises in the region and became the locomotive of the local economy.
• 1951: Launch of a civil and government initiative to combat air pollution, later gaining global recognition as the "Ube Model".
• 1961: Hosting of the first open-air sculpture exhibition in Tokiwa Park, marking the beginning of the famous international biennale.
• 1966: Opening of Yamaguchi-Ube Airport, which provided direct air connections to Tokyo and other major cities.
• 1980: Signing of a sister city agreement with Newcastle (Australia), opening an era of active international cooperation.
• 1995: Opening of the renovated museum and botanical garden in Tokiwa Park, which became a major attraction for tourists.
• 2004: Expansion of the city's administrative boundaries through the annexation of the neighbouring town of Kusunoki.
• 2021: Celebration of the city's 100th anniversary, marked by urban infrastructure updates and cultural festivals.

Development Path: From Mining Village to City of Sculptures

The development of Ube is a unique example of transformation, where heavy industry did not destroy the urban environment but became a catalyst for introducing advanced environmental and cultural initiatives. Below are the key stages that defined the modern look of the city.

• Formation of the Industrial Core. In the early 20th century, the consolidation of coal mines and the creation of the company that became the prototype of the current Ube Industries turned the city into the industrial heart of the region. This ensured economic stability and population growth but also placed a serious burden on the environment.
• Implementation of the "Ube Model". In the 1950s, the city faced critical air pollution. Unique cooperation between citizens, the administration, scientists, and industrialists led to the development of effective measures to clean the environment. This experience received global recognition from the UN and proved that industry and ecology can coexist.
• Cultural Reorientation ("City of Greenery and Sculptures"). The launch of the Biennale of Contemporary Sculpture in 1961 was a turning point. Art moved out of museums and into the streets: the city began actively decorating parks and squares with art objects, changing its image from "grey industrial" to cultural-touristic.
• Transport Integration. The opening of Yamaguchi-Ube Airport in 1966 and the modernisation of the seaport radically improved logistics. This not only simplified the export of chemical and cement industry products but also opened the region to business tourism from Tokyo.
• Technological Diversification. After the closure of coal mines in the second half of the 20th century, the city successfully repurposed its economy. The focus was placed on the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, and the production of new materials, allowing it to avoid the depression characteristic of many former mining towns.
• Administrative Expansion. The annexation of the town of Kusunoki in 2004 expanded Ube's boundaries to the north. This added rich agricultural lands, tea plantations, and a hot spring zone to the city's industrial landscape, making the tourism offering more diverse.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Ube differs radically from what tourists are used to seeing in traditional Japanese guidebooks. Here you will not find an abundance of ancient wooden temples or old samurai districts. The city's appearance is shaped by its powerful industrial past and a unique modern concept of integrating art into the everyday urban environment. Urban development followed a path of complex transformation: from a harsh mining settlement to a liveable "garden city" and open-air museum.

The Industrialization Era (Late 19th — First Half of 20th Century)

During this period, development was exclusively utilitarian, subordinate to the needs of industry. The city developed around the port and coal mines, and for a long time, the dominant features of the landscape remained factory chimneys, warehouses, and mining infrastructure.

• Style: Industrial functionalism.
• Characteristic Features: Use of brick and concrete, strict geometric forms, lack of excess decoration. Residential development mainly consisted of simple wooden houses for workers (nagaya), grouped around enterprises.
• Legacy: Although many mines have closed, the industrial zone of the port with its massive structures still forms a recognisable, rugged silhouette of the city from the sea, reminding one of its roots.

Post-War Modernism and the Legacy of Togo Murano

The period of recovery and economic growth (1950s–1970s) was marked by the appearance of iconic public buildings. Ube became a true platform for the realisation of projects by the outstanding Japanese architect Togo Murano, whose works brought the aesthetics of high modernism and emotional architecture to the city.

• Style: Modernism with elements of expressionism.
• Landmark Object: Watanabe Memorial Hall. Built in 1937, it became a pre-war masterpiece that later symbolised the cultural revival of the city. This building is recognised as an Important Cultural Property of Japan due to its unique acoustics and bold design, reminiscent of streamlined, organic forms.
• Influence: Murano's works set a high standard for all public architecture in the city, proving that even in an industrial centre, buildings can combine monumentality with humanism and elegance.

Modern Stage: City of Sculptures and Greenery

Starting from the 1960s, Ube's development strategy changed radically towards the humanisation of space. In response to environmental challenges, the concept of "City of Sculptures and Greenery" was adopted, where urban planning shifted from pure functionalism to the creation of extensive recreational zones.

• Style: Landscape architecture, environmental design, public art.
• Urban Planning Solutions:
  • Widening of main avenues (such as Heiwa-dori Street and Symbol Road) with the creation of wide pedestrian promenades adorned with greenery.
  • Integration of winning sculptures from the international biennale (UBE Biennale) directly into the urban fabric: statues are installed not only in parks but also at intersections, squares, near schools, and administrative buildings.
• Key Area: Tokiwa Park. This space is not just a green zone, but a vivid example of the synthesis of nature and art, where thoughtful landscape design serves as the ideal backdrop for hundreds of avant-garde sculptures.

Distinguished Figures of Ube

The city of Ube has been the birthplace and home to many talented people whose names are known far beyond Japan. From captains of industry and political leaders to pop culture icons, these individuals have made a significant contribution to history and culture.

• Hideaki Anno (born 1960)
  Director, animator, screenwriter

  One of the most influential directors in the history of anime, creator of the cult franchise "Neon Genesis Evangelion". Anno was born and raised in Ube, and the industrial landscapes of his hometown—factories, power lines, and railways—had a huge influence on his visual style. In the final film of the series, "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0", one can see real locations of the city, including Ube-Shinkawa Station.

• Tadashi Yanai (born 1949)
  Businessman, founder of UNIQLO

  Founder and president of Fast Retailing, which owns the world-famous clothing brand UNIQLO. Yanai was born in Ube and started his career in his father's small men's clothing shop in Yamaguchi Prefecture. His entrepreneurial philosophy turned a local business into a global fashion empire, making him one of the wealthiest people in Japan.

• Sukesaku Watanabe (1864–1934)
  Industrialist, philanthropist, "Father of the City"

  Founder of Ube Industries. Watanabe played a key role in transforming Ube from a small village into an industrial centre. He not only developed coal mining and manufacturing but also laid the foundations for corporate social responsibility by investing in urban infrastructure, education, and hospitals. His philosophy of "coexistence and mutual prosperity" remains the city's motto to this day.

• Naoto Kan (born 1946)
  Politician, 94th Prime Minister of Japan

  A prominent political figure who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2010 to 2011. A native of Ube, he led the country during one of the most difficult periods of its modern history—during the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

• Sayumi Michishige (born 1989)
  Singer, model, idol

  A popular Japanese singer, former member and leader of one of Japan's most famous idol groups, Morning Musume. Sayumi was born in Ube and often speaks warmly of her hometown in interviews and TV shows, helping to popularise the region among young people.

• Yoji Yamada (born 1931)
  Film director, screenwriter

  A classic of Japanese cinema, known for the film series "It's Tough Being a Man" (Otoko wa Tsurai yo) and "The Twilight Samurai". Although Yamada was born in Osaka, he lived and studied in Ube after repatriating from Manchuria following World War II. This period of his life is reflected in his work, which is permeated with humanism and attention to ordinary people.

• Kazuo Hara (born 1945)
  Documentary director

  An internationally recognised master of documentary cinema, known for his provocative and profound works, such as "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On". Born in Ube. His films explore complex social themes and marginalised layers of Japanese society, having received numerous awards at international film festivals.