Hamada (浜田市, Hamada-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 May 2023[update], the city had an estimated population of 50,176 in 25498 households and a population density of 73 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 689.68 square kilometres (266.29 sq mi).
Hamada is located in central Shimane, facing the Sea of Japan to the north and the Chugoku Mountains to the south.
Shimane Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
Hamada has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). It experiences a wide range in temperature between summer and winter but due to its location it is saved from the extreme winter cold in the north and prolonged summer heat in the south. In summer the temperature gets as high as 38 °C (100 °F) with high humidity and in winter it can drop to −5 °C (23 °F). The coastal main city of Hamada occasionally gets snowfall in the winter. The mountainous areas of Hamada inland to the east receive high levels of snowfall and are home to some of the best ski resorts in the area. Late spring/early summer is the rainy season with frequent light showers throughout the day. Spring and Autumn in Hamada provide warm, sunny weather with a very comfortable temperature.
Due to its location on the western seaboard of Japan, Hamada is relatively free from weather extremes such as typhoons or flooding. Hamada is also not located near a fault line and the occurrence of strong earthquakes in Shimane is rare.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Hamada in 2020 was 54,592 people.[6] Hamada has been conducting censuses since 1920.
The area of Hamada was the center of ancient Iwami Province, and the ruins of the Iwami Kokubun-ji are located within the city. During the Edo Period, the area was mostly under the control of Hamada Domain, which was ruled mostly by various branches of the Matsudaira clan under the Tokugawa shogunate. It was a stronghold of pro-shogunate support during the Bakumatsu period. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Hamada was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The city was founded on November 3, 1940 by the merger of Hamada with the villages of Iwami, Nagahama, Mikawa and Sufu. On October 1, 2005, the towns of Asahi, Kanagi and Misumi, and the village of Yasaka (all from Naka District) were merged into Hamada. Therefore, Naka District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
Hamada has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Masuda contributes three members to the Shimane Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Shimane 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Hamada has a diverse economy, with commercial fishing, agriculture, light manufacturing and commerce predominating.
Hamada has 16 public elementary school and nine public junior high schools operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Shimane Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture operates two special education schools for the handicapped. The prefectural University of Shimane is located in Hamada.
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