Ube, Japan
Region: Yamaguchi
Geographic Coordinates: 33.950000, 131.250000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 162873
Language: Japanese
Ube is a stunning city located in the Yamaguchi Prefecture of Japan, Situated on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea with a backdrop of mountains that make it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The city has a population of around 170, 000 and covers an area of 287 square kilometers. Mount Kinkasan is one of Ube’s most famous landmarks, Standing at 372 meters tall and providing breathtaking views when hiked to its summit. Tokiwa Park is another popular attraction in Ube, Offering various recreational facilities such as tennis courts, Baseball fields, And a swimming pool.
Ube boasts rich history and culture with several museums showcasing its heritage like the Ube City Museum of Art and Culture featuring collections related to local art and history. Visitors can also explore historic sites such as Shimonoseki Castle Ruins Park or participate in traditional Japanese cultural activities like tea ceremonies or calligraphy classes. The cuisine in Ube is unique with dishes not commonly found elsewhere in Japan like yamaguchi-ryori which includes local ingredients such as sea bream sashimi served with grated yam or grilled fugu (pufferfish).
Torimeshi is another popular dish consisting of chicken cooked with rice seasoned with soy sauce. Throughout the year, Ube hosts several festivals that attract visitors from all over Japan such as Tokiwa Festival held every May where locals parade through town wearing traditional costumes while carrying portable shrines called mikoshi on their shoulders. Another festival held annually during August called Ushirodo-no-Matsuri celebrates Japanese traditions through music performances featuring taiko drums.
Ube offers visitors an ideal blend of natural beauty, Cultural heritage along with unique cuisine making it an excellent destination for those who want to experience Japan’s traditional culture while enjoying outdoor activities amidst beautiful surroundings.
- Tokiwa Park: This beautiful park boasts a large pond, walking trails and a variety of flowers.
- Sorin-ji Temple: A historic temple with stunning architecture and beautiful gardens.
- Kotozaki Hachimangu Shrine: This popular shrine is known for its annual festival in July.
- Ube City Coal Museum: An interesting museum that showcases the history of coal mining in Ube.
- Shimonoseki Strait Aquarium Kaikyokan: A popular aquarium located near Ube that features a variety of marine life from the Seto Inland Sea.
- Kintai Bridge: This iconic wooden bridge located in nearby Iwakuni is famous for its unique design and beautiful views.
- Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum of Art: A modern art museum featuring works by local artists as well as international artists.
- Tsunoshima Island Beach: One of Japan’s most beautiful beaches located just off the coast of Ube with crystal clear waters and white sand beaches.
Note – Some places mentioned above are not exactly located in Ube but are nearby tourist attractions accessible from there by car or public transportation options available to visitors.
- Chemicals: Ube Industries Ltd., a chemical company, is headquartered in Ube and has several plants in the city.
- Manufacturing: Ube has a thriving manufacturing industry with companies producing machinery, steel products, and electronic components.
- Agriculture: The city is known for its production of high-quality rice and vegetables.
- Tourism: Ube has several tourist attractions including the Tokiwa Park, Shunan City Aquarium Kamo Aquarium, and Tsukushi Shrine.
- Education: The University of Yamaguchi-Ube Campus is located in the city which attracts students from all over Japan.
- Healthcare: There are several hospitals and healthcare facilities in the city providing medical services to residents.
- Transportation: Ube Airport provides domestic flights to major cities in Japan while JR West operates train services connecting the city to other parts of Japan.
- Ube City Museum of Art: This museum was established in 1975 and is known for its collection of contemporary Japanese art.
- Sesshu Toyo: He was a famous painter and calligrapher who lived in the 15th century. He was born in Ube and is considered one of the greatest artists in Japanese history.
- The Battle of Sekigahara: This battle took place near Ube in 1600 and marked the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over two centuries.
- Kikuo Takano: He was a famous poet who lived from 1901 to 1937. He was born in Ube and is known for his modernist poetry.
- The Ube Industries Explosion: In 1963, an explosion at a chemical plant owned by Ube Industries killed more than 400 people and injured thousands more.
- Shinichi Hoshi: He was a science fiction writer who lived from 1926 to 1997. He was born in Tokyo but spent much of his life living in Ube, where he wrote many of his most famous works.
- The Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza gang: This notorious criminal organization has its headquarters in Kobe but also has significant operations in Ube and other parts of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
- Ube City Museum of Art: This museum displays an extensive collection of Japanese and Western art, such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more.
- Tokiwa Park: This stunning park houses numerous museums and monuments like the Ube City Zoological Park and the Ube Municipal Yamaguchi Folk Museum.
- Kotozuka Memorial Art Museum: The museum is solely dedicated to the works of Kotozuka Eiichi, one of Japan’s most renowned painters.
- Akiyoshidai International Art Village: In a beautiful natural setting, this art center hosts exhibitions and artist residencies from around the world.
- Tsunoshima Bridge: An iconic bridge that crosses over the sea between Honshu and Tsushima Island offering breathtaking views of its surroundings.
- Saikyo-ji Temple: A historic temple dating back to 1275 AD with beautiful gardens, traditional architecture, and important cultural artifacts.
- Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Castle Town Preservation Area: Situated just outside Ube in Hagi City; this area preserves traditional samurai residences from the Edo period (1603-1868) for visitors to explore.
- Yumihama Beach: One of Japan’s most scenic beaches with crystal clear waters surrounded by mountains making it an ideal place for swimming or sunbathing on hot summer days!
- Ube City Fireworks Festival: This is an annual summer event held in August, featuring a spectacular display of fireworks over the Ube River.
- Ube Lantern Festival: This festival takes place in October and showcases hundreds of lanterns lit up along the streets and parks of Ube City.
- Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial Fair: This fair exhibits the latest technology, products, and services from various industries in Yamaguchi Prefecture, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
- Ube Cherry Blossom Festival: Held in early April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, this festival celebrates nature’s beauty with food stalls, live music performances, and traditional Japanese dance shows.
- Goshogawara Tachi Neputa Festival: Although not technically located in Ube City itself (it’s about a 2-hour drive away), this festival is worth mentioning as it’s one of the most famous festivals in Japan. Held every August in Goshogawara City (Aomori Prefecture), it features giant illuminated floats called neputa that are pulled through the streets while dancers perform traditional Japanese dances.
Ube Cuisine
Here are some popular dishes to try in Ube:
- Sanuki Udon: thick and chewy udon noodles served in a hot broth with various toppings such as tempura or beef.
- Yamaguchi-style sushi: sushi made with local fish caught off the coast of Yamaguchi prefecture.
- Kintai-kyo beef: high-quality beef from cows raised in the nearby Kintai-kyo area.
- Tofu dishes: Ube is known for its soft and silky tofu, which is often used in dishes like agedashi tofu or yudofu (hot pot).
- Izakaya (Japanese pub) culture: there are many izakayas around Ube where you can sample local sake and small plates of food.
Here are some popular restaurants to try in Ube:
- Marugame Seimen: a chain restaurant that specializes in Sanuki udon.
- Sushi Imaiya: a sushi restaurant that offers Yamaguchi-style sushi made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Steak House Satoumiya: a steakhouse that serves Kintai-kyo beef cooked to perfection on charcoal grills.
- Tofuya Ukai: a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves various tofu dishes using locally sourced soybeans.
- Yamaneko-tei Izakaya & Barbecue Grill: an izakaya that offers grilled meat and seafood along with drinks like sake and shochu (a Japanese distilled spirit).
- Ube City Kosen Park is a large park that offers visitors a range of activities, including a playground, walking paths, and sports facilities.
- Ube Tokiwa Park is an ideal spot for cherry blossom viewing during the spring season and is quite popular among locals and tourists alike.
- The Ube City Zoo houses over 100 species of animals, including lions, tigers, and bears.
- The Ube Municipal Athletic Stadium hosts various sporting events throughout the year and has a track and field area that’s open to the public.
- Yuda Onsen Hot Spring is located in the heart of Ube city and offers visitors an opportunity to relax in natural hot springs while enjoying traditional Japanese architecture.
- Oshima Island Beach is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports during the summer months.
- Shunan City Nature Museum & Botanical Garden showcases local flora and fauna as well as exhibits on environmental conservation.
- Daioh Temple & Waterfall is an ancient temple nestled in the mountains with breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls nearby.
- Fukuoka Castle Ruins Park offers panoramic views of the city from atop its castle ruins along with walking trails through gardens and forests.
