Iwaki was a gate to Oshu (northeastern parts of Japan)
It is uncertain when people started living in the Iwaki region, but many relics from the Jomon period (ca. 10,000 B.C. - ca. 300 B.C.) were found here. During the Nara period (710 - 794), Iwaki was connected to both areas, Hitachi and Mutsu, and was located on the border between the Northeast part of Honshu and the Kanto district (where Tokyo is located). It is said that the Nakoso-no-seki (a barrier) is a symbol of this border. Later on, a coal mine was founded in Iwaki, and it brought great economical power to the region. Since coal mining operations began in Iwaki in 1885, the Joban coal mining grew rapidly from the middle of the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) until after World War II as one of Japan's prominent coal mines. However, the 100-year history of coal mining came to an end because of the Energy Revolution. Instead of coal mining, Iwaki was designated as a new industrial district in 1964. Many factories were built between the Onahama and Nakosono districts. In October, 1966, 5 cities, 4 towns and 5 villages were united to create a new industrial city, thus creating Iwaki, the largest city in Japan. Iwaki's city hall came to be located in Taira. Iwaki has been making great efforts to improve its manufacturing industry, business, tourism, fishing industry, agriculture, forestry and livestock breeding to this day.
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