Main Cities (Innoshima)

Meaning of the city symbol

A ship screw represents the shipbuilding and the shape of a plow agriculture. This is the simplest combination of these 2 items. On May 1, 1954 the city announced its adoption of this symbol upon the celebration of the city's first anniversary to the public.

Innoshima, the "Island City", is located in the south-eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, almost in the center of the Inland sea of Japan. It is the only city along the western Seto highway (Onomichi - Imabari route) and connected to the main land through the Innoshima large bridge.
In former times it flourished as the Murakami navy base and was known as the "island of shipbuilding and oranges". Due to the structural depression shipbuilding industry slumped and at one time adversely affected even the surrounding islands to a degree, where people said, the island would sink.
Currently, attempts are made to rebuild the city under the motto "beautiful sea - city for the future development of the human frontier". Based on a history of the navy and flowers, the city now tries to take advantage of the charms of nature surrounded by the sea, its revival is now attempted under the motto "the island of the navy, flowers and fruits".


View from Mt.Shirataki summit

The Geiyo cultural center ... A leading provider of culture related information


The Geiyo cultural center

Innoshima so far met the demands of the time by its development as an industrial area along the Inland sea of Japan. Yet, completion of the new Hiroshima Airport, the Sanyou highway, Nishi-Seto highway and other parts of a high speed traffic system and changes in prevailing values and lifestyle, transitions in industrial structures led to a revision of the current concepts of the Inland Sea of Japan to produce the idea of a "New Seto Naikai (Inland Sea of Japan) Area".
This city is a central city of the Geiyo islands within the eastern marine region of the Hiroshima Prefecture and tries to develop into the core for a "New Seto Naikai Area", a role requiring the adoption of a consciousness and new functions. The Geiyo Information Center is expected to become a base for this development.
Also, the recent revision of the concepts of the sea show that the correlation between man and the sea of great importance.
This city is special in that it is surrounded as an island on all four sides by the sea. It tries to use its special features as a background for the development of culture and industry in the region of the Inland Sea of Japan.

The legendary Murakami Navy vividly revives


Innoshima Navy castle

Historically Innoshima cannot be viewed without considering the presence of the Murakami Navy (Suigun). Traces of this historical background are spread widely throughout the Seto Naikai region. This city has since the construction of the Innoshima Naval Base evoked the image "Navy = Innoshima".
Within the Navy Base many remains of the activities of the Murakami Navy, that has been active in the area from the Nanbokucho period to the Muromachi period, are on display. These items introduce the visitor to the history of the Murakami Navy.
The traces of this area are scattered over the whole region. These remains are now gathered, organized and classified to improve the touristic value. Also, the creation of a Navy mascot should contribute to the formation of a positive image.
Moreover, there are many temples in Innoshima. In 1908 the number of spiritual places was 88 and led to its designation as the "Shima-Shikoku 88 places". In recent years the number of visiting and worshipping young people, especially young women, is increasing. Future arrangement and preparation of the environment in conjunction with the establishment of convenient facilities is scheduled to meet the needs.

The sea is a big stage ... open the big event with use Seto inland sea


Innoshima Navy country festival

The big event of the Innoshima Navy Festival is used to be held in the Inland Sea of Japan, an area well known to the native people as the "region of livelihood", almost infusing the whole area with its vigor. It also provides a chance for an expansion of the circle of human relationships, thus improving the charm of the whole area.
Innoshima is a city that developed parallel to the history of shipbuilding. When the industry slumped after the oil shock, its population decreased and the city lost its livelihood.
In this situation the basic concept of gathering places of people (e.g. ports) was reconsidered, acknowledging the necessity of an activation of business quarters, organization of the Navy museum, libraries and other historical and cultural assets, as well as the establishment of places for adolescent activities, citizen recreation and communication. In addition to an efficient and congenial use of this kind of activity centers this also requires the organization of events (to bring the whole thing together).
The "Navy Festival" and the "Flower Festival" are both major events making optimal use of the cities characteristics. Designed mainly for marine recreation their holding does not only draws visitors from the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, but also from outside of Hiroshima.
For this purpose a primary requirement is the preparation and maintenance of roads, parking places, ports and other foundations of urban functions. To promote a dialogue with citizens from other regions recreation facilities have to be prepared, access organized and a system for the accommodation of tourists furnished.

Paradise of blooming flowers and delicious fruits


Prefectural Innoshima Flower Center

Innoshima has flourished as the "City of shipbuilding and flowers". In 1989 the " '89 Exposition of the Sea and Islands" tried to create the image of an island of flowers and fruits. Moreover, activities accompanied by lots of flowers are designed and proceed to create the image "Island of Flowers".
In an optimistic bright and beautiful atmosphere marked by flowers and citrus fruits the new image of Innoshima City already has appealed to many people. In this setting the city has also used the so-called "Hassaku" orange trees, native to this region, for plantations along the streets, thus creating what is now called the "Hassaku Roads".
The Flower Center that opened in 1990 functions as the start of the so-called "Flower Line", a former farm and forestry road linking such scenic spots as Mt. Hakuryuu, the Innoshima Bridge, and the Innoshima Memorial Large Bridge Park. This helped the preparation of facilities like the Amity Park and optimal utilization of the beautiful nature.
Also, associated with the increasing amount of free time and shifts in values, the needs of the population changes from the material to the spiritual, from quantity to quality. That means, people are now looking for recreation spots where they may spend a highly varied pastime.
This city is blessed with its assets of the sea, flowers and citrus fruits. Application of these features to the activation of the region must necessarily lead to a fascinating, attractive Innoshima.

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