Omuta, Industrial port city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Omuta is an industrial town on the eastern shore of the Ariake Sea in northern Kyushu. The harbor features modern facilities for cargo transport, and several chemical plants shape the urban landscape along the waterfront.
Coal extraction began here in 1721 and turned the region into a major industrial hub. The Miike mine remained operational until 1997 and shaped the economic development of the town for centuries.
The annual port festival features enormous dragon-shaped floats made of bamboo and paper that parade through the streets while producing sparks. This tradition aims to drive away misfortune from the town, and concludes with the deliberate destruction of the floats as spectators watch the dramatic display up close.
The town is well connected through the Kagoshima Main Line and the Kyushu Shinkansen, with direct links to Fukuoka. The harbor area is suitable for walks, while the town center can be explored on foot or by local bus.
After the coal mines closed, the land subsided and agricultural fields disappeared beneath water. The government had to intervene to reshape the affected areas and revitalize them economically.
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