Kanonaka

Kanonaka [笹中 かのなか] is a city located in central Saka Prefecture. As of 2022, it had a population of around 30,000. 
Kanonaka was established by the Kanonaka clan, vassals of the Yamako clan, in the early 12th century, using an area to the south of the central city Wakatsu. Under this new governance, Kanonaka Castle was built, and a large amount of land was dedicated to rice and tea farming. During the early 1400s, after the establishment of the Salt Road (one of the many ancient and important dōryō highways, which ran through Yamako Province) the settlement became an important koman. 
During the 1600s, the town became the site of Honzura's first iron smelter, which would later become the Kanonaka Ironworks in the 1880s. Kilns for the production of ceramics and roof tiles were also established in the town, and it soon became one of the most significant centres for iron production in northern Kanton. To this day, Kanonaka is often nicknamed the 'City of Iron' or tetsu no seki.
== Geography ==
Kanonaka is located within the Tohara Delta, a fertile valley of well-irrigated land which allowed rice and tea farming to flourish in the area. The city is bordered to the south by the Tohara River, and to the north by the Koronori. To the west of Kanonaka are the Koroba Mountains, the closest peak being Mount Ironami. To the west, the city is bordered by the larger municipality of Ryūzu.
== Economy ==
Kanonaka is known primarily as a center for sericulture, tea and rice farming, and metalworks/ceramics. At present, the economy is highly industrialized, with the number of factories being second within Saka Prefecture, after the city of Chiyuki.
Kanonaka is also the home of the Saka Christian College, a prestigious college founded in 1948. 
== Local attractions ==
* Kanonaka Castle ruins
* Achina Temple
* Kanonaka City Park
* Kanonaka History Museum
* Kanonaka Park and Manor, formally a summer residence for the Yamako family
* Kimizumi Art Gallery