Yokkaichi (Japan Mie)

Yokkaichi is a port city in Japan's Mie Prefecture (Kansai region, south-eastern Honshu Island), with a population of around 310,000. After 1868 (Meiji Revolution), the town became Mie Prefecture's capital. In 1872-1884, the seaport was developed and in 1899 designated International Port. The current-day seaport has the capacity to handle large box ships and is fitted with gantry cranes, open-air, and covered storage (warehouses).

Port's primary trade was the shipping of seed oil, Banko ware (traditional Japanese pottery), and Ise tea (produced only in only 3 prefectures - Mie, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima). Later to these items were added cotton, wool, glass, heavy equipment. The town received ints city status in 1897. In 1899, Port Yokkaichi was designated as an open port, which allowed trading with the USA and UK. Since 1939, the city developed a chemical industry after the Japanese Navy constructed a large refinery near the seaport. Later were built petrochemical and chemical plants.

During WW2 (1939-1945), Yokkaichi was one of the first bombed by USA Japanese cities. At the end of the war, in June 1945, 89 US bombers dropped around 11,000 incendiary bombs and destroyed over 1/3 of the city. Followed eight more air raids (until August 1945). Traditionally for Japan, Yokkaichi City was enlarged in 2005 via a merger with the neighbouring town Kusu.

The city's current economy is based on manufacturing - Banko ware (porcelain), automobiles (Honda's Yokkaichi Factory constructing mini-vans), cotton textiles, chemicals, leaf tea, cement, computer parts (Toshiba Electronics). As tourist attractions, the city is best known for its annual festivals Amagasuka Ishidori, Great Yokkaichi, and Matsubara Ishidori.

Transportation options include the railways Kansai Main Line (linking Tomida-Tomidahama-Yokkaichi-Minami-Yokkaichi-Kawarada), Nagoya Line (linking Kintetsu Tomida-Kasumigaura-Akuragawa-Kawaramachi-Kintetsu-Yokkaichi-Shinsho-Miyamado-Shiohama-Kita- Kusu), Yunoyama Line (linking Kintetsu-Yokkaichi-Nakagawara-Matsumoto-Kawashima-Takatsuno-Sakura), Utsube Line (linking Asunarou-Yokkaichi-Akahori-Hinaga-Minami-Hinaga-Tomari-Oiwake-Ogoso-Utsube), Hachioji Line (HinagaNishihino) and Sangi Line (linking Kintetsu-Tomida-Oyachi-Heizu-Akatsukigakuenmae-Yamajo-Hobo-Yokkaichi). Highway connections include the expressways Higashi-Meihan and Ise Wangan, as well as the national routes 1, 23, 25, 164, 306, 365, and 477.

As a cruise port, Yokkaichi was included in the Princess Cruises Japan program for summer 2019 on the 3250-passenger ship Diamond Princess. In April 2019, the liner (homeported in Yokohama) had scheduled 8-day and 16-day itineraries (listed below).

8-day "Spring Flowers" (prices from USD 1420 pp)

16-day "Grand Spring Flowers" (prices from USD 2740 pp)