Nishinomiya, Core city in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Nishinomiya is a core city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, stretching between Osaka Bay and the foothills of Mount Rokko. It encompasses residential zones to the north, commercial areas along the coast, and several parks and shrines distributed across the urban landscape.
The settlement began as a village during the Yayoi period and evolved into a merchant town known for sake brewing during the Edo period. It grew through mergers with surrounding localities and gained core city status in 1963.
The city name derives from "shrine to the west" and refers to its historical position relative to Nishinomiya Shrine. Visitors today still notice the many sake breweries with their red tile roofs and traditional wooden facades in certain neighborhoods.
Several railway lines run through the area from east to west, connecting it directly with Osaka and Kobe. Visitors can move more easily on flat terrain along the coast, while the northern hillside zones are steeper.
The local water source called miya-mizu contains a specific mineral blend that contributed to the development of premium sake brewing techniques. Some breweries allow visitors to taste this water and observe traditional production methods.
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