Ube, Yamaguchi

Ube (宇部市, Ube-shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan on the Seto Inland Sea. As of October 2016, the city has an estimated population of 168,398 and a population density of 590 persons per km2. The total area is 287.69 square kilometres (111.08 square miles).

Ube

宇部市
City
Roads in Ube
Flag
Seal
Location of Ube in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Ube
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°57′N 131°15′E
CountryJapan
RegionChūgoku (San'yō) (San'in)
PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture
EstablishedNovember 1, 1921 (1921-11-01)
Government
 • MayorKimiko Kubota
Area
 • Total287.69 km2 (111.08 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2016)
 • Total168,398
 • Density590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1-7-1 Tokiwachō, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi-ken
755-8601
Websitewww.city.ube.yamaguchi.jp (in Japanese)
Symbols
FlowerScarlet sage and azalea
TreeCamphor laurel

History

The city was founded on November 1, 1921.

Previously a coal mining town, the city has developed an effective policy to improve its environment. In particular it has combated the problem of air pollution and its success in doing so saw it being recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme as among UNEP's Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1997.[1]

On November 1, 2004, the town of Kusunoki (from Asa District) was merged into Ube.

Attractions
Tokiwa Park from the coal-mining museum tower in the park

Ube publicizes itself as "a city of greenery, flowers, and sculptures". Tokiwa Park is the centerpiece of this marketing, as it covers a large area near the center of the city and houses a large number of modern, mostly domestic sculptures on the shores of Lake Tokiwa. The sculptures can be found around the city. A sculpture competition is held biennially to provide new additions.

A well-known attraction of the park was a great white pelican called "Katta-kun", so named after his parents who were from Kolkata, India. Hatched in the park in 1985, he became famous as he began visiting schools in the vicinity. Katta-kun died in 2008, but there are a number of pelicans still residing in an enclosure there. In addition to the pelicans there were many mute swans and black swans residing there until 2011, when they were culled after an outbreak of H1N5 avian influenza. Two new mute swans were introduced in 2017.

There is a coal mining museum with a view over the city and airport.

A bridge in Tokiwa Park
A lamp in Tokiwa Park

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Ube is twinned with:[2]

Festivals

Ube holds two festivals each year, one in May and the other in November featuring food stands and carnival games.

Transportation

Air

The city is served by Yamaguchi Prefecture's only airport, Yamaguchi Ube Airport, with daily flights to and from Tokyo.

Rail

There are no Shinkansen stations in this city. The closest Shinkansen stations are: Asa Station (Sanyo Onoda) and Shin-Yamaguchi Station (Yamaguchi)

The main train station located in 'downtown' Ube is called Ube-Shinkawa Station (Ube Line). Ube Station is farther inland and is located in a more suburban area known as Kōnan (厚南).

Education

Universities

Primary and secondary schools

The city formerly had a North Korean school, Ube Korean Elementary and Junior High School (宇部朝鮮初中級学校).[3]

The city is home to one of the best rated English foreign language schools, Ube Gaigo Center, which is located right in the center of the city. Ube Gaigo Center is considered the number one eikaiwa in Yamaguchi prefecture and top 100 in Japan by various magazines and surveys.

Economy and industry

Ube Industries is headquartered and has major plants in Ube. Also, petroleum product company of Solato, printer machine product company of Riso Kagaku, glass product company Central Glass, semiconductor and parts product company of Renesas, pharmaceutical research and product company of Kyowa Hakko Kirin, clinical laboratory research company of Miraca Holdings are plant and factory base on Ube.

People from Ube

References
  1. "Ube city of Japan receives UN environment award". GRID Arendal. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  2. "姉妹都市・友好都市". city.ube.yamaguchi.jp (in Japanese). Ube. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  3. "ウリハッキョ一覧" (Archive). Chongryon. November 6, 2005. Retrieved on October 15, 2015.
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