Ebino (えびの市) is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 16,397 in 7775 households, and a population density of 58 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 282.93 km2.

Geography

Ebio is in far southwestern Miyazaki Prefecture, bordered to the north by Kumamoto Prefecture and to the south by Kagoshima Prefecture. The southern part of the city is formed by the volcanoes and volcanic plateaus of Mount Kirishima and the Ebino Plateau, and is designated as Kirishima-Yaku National Park. The northern part consists of plateaus and mountain forests, forming the Yatake Plateau. The center of the city is the Kakuto Basin, with many hot springs. It is the 8th physically largest city in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Neighboring municipalities

Kagoshima Prefecture Kumamoto Prefecture Miyazaki Prefecture

Climate

Ebino has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Ebino is 15.8 C. The average annual rainfall is 2832.7 mm with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.2 C, and lowest in January, at around 5.1 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Ebino was 39.4 C on 17 August 2020; the coldest temperature ever recorded was -12.0 C on 25 January 2016.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Ebino in 2020 is 17,638 people. Ebino has been conducting censuses since 1920.

History

The area of Ebino was part of ancient Hyūga Province, and during the Edo period was completely within the borders of Satsuma Domain. In 1871, with the abolition of the han system, the area was incorporated into Kagoshima Prefecture, but was later transferred to Miyazaki Prefecture. The villages of Iino, Kakuto and Masayuki within Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki were established on May 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Iino was raised to town status on April 3, 1940, followed by Masayuki on April 1, 1950 and Kakuto on February 11, 1955. The three towns merged to form the town of Ebino on November 3, 1966. The Ebino earthquake occurred on February 21, 1968, killing three inhabitants and injuring 42. Ebino was raised to city status on December 1, 1970.

Government

Ebino has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 15 members. Ebino contributes one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Miyazaki 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The local economy is overwhelmingly agricultural. Ebino produces a wide range of food products, from shōchū to sweets, tea, honey, mushrooms, chicken and pork. Locally produced crafts include Ebino-yaki pottery and bamboo craftwork, among others.

Education

Ebino has four public elementary schools and three public junior high schools and one combined elementary/junior high school operated by the city, and one public high school operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private high school. The * Ebino-Kōgen International College closed on April 1, 2009.

Transportation

Railways

JR Kyushu - Kitto Line JR Kyushu - Hisatsu Line

Highways

Sister cities

Local attractions

Major festivals and events

Facilities