Obama (小浜市, Obama-shi) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It faces Wakasa Bay due north of Kyoto, and is about four to five hours by train from Tokyo. As of October 1, 2005, the city had an estimated population of 32,185 and a population density of 138.22 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 232.85 km².
Obama gained publicity in the United States and elsewhere in 2008 because it shares its name with the then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. The city is a popular tourist attraction with major attractions such as Obama Castle.
Obama means "little beach" in Japanese. In the Ritsuryō period, Obama was the capital of Wakasa Province, one of entrance of continental culture. Many temples related to the Yamato Dynasty are located in Obama, and the city is called "Nara by the sea".
In the Edo period, Obama was the capital of the Obama Domain and was the starting point of the Mackerel Road to Kyoto.
As a result of its location in the Wakasa Province area, which travelers passed through when traveling between China and Kyoto, the area was influenced by Chinese culture for a long period. There are many buildings and houses in the Sancho-machi area of the city whose
Obama (小浜市, Obama-shi) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It faces Wakasa Bay due north of Kyoto, and is about four to five hours by train from Tokyo. As of October 1, 2005, the city had an estimated population of 32,185 and a populatio...
From: pedia