Hisama

Hisama [火様; ひさま] is a city located in southern Shinkō Prefecture. It has a population of around 145,000. 
The region of modern-day Hisama was once the seat of the Uedai clan who governed the area from the 8th century until the 1100s. The ruins of the ancient Uedai Fortress can still be visited today in the city's northern ward. For a time during the 14th century Hisama became the second-most populated settlement in Shinkō after the city of Meikai, and was an important centre for trade, often visited by travelling merchants. Its flat, arable land was utilised for crop farming, especially potatoes and corn, which grew well in the dry soil. Rice farming was also carried out in Hisama's western ward, using small amounts of irrigation from the Motozake River.
From the 1600s onwards, Hisama began to decline in its importance and became overshadowed by other cities such as Saibun and Yamanago. In the modern day Hisama is quite a popular domestic tourist destination in Kanton, with interesting cultural festivals and many ancient shrines to visit.
== Economy ==
Hisama is a major commercial center for southern Shinkō Prefecture. Manufacturing includes light industry, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Agriculture and horticulture play a relatively minor role in the local economy. In the 16th century Hisama had a minor fishing industry, in modern-day Kishindai Harbour. However, there were not enough workers to sustain it, and by the 1800s Hisama had cut all ties with the sea.
== Geography ==
Hisama is the largest city in Shinkō's southern reaches, and is bordered by four other settlements, all of which are bedroom communities. Hisama's southern ward lies in the foothills of the Motoyama mountain range.
== Local attractions ==
Besides the famous Hatake-no-Tai Fortress, Hisama is known for the sight-seeing locations of Hisama Central Park and Onzō Temple. The city's eastern ward offers authentic, traditional bathhouse experiences in facilities which have been in use since the 1700s. 
Traditionally, Hisama is known for its production of pickled garlic, or kyungo, along with gandobi, a popular street-food consisting of noodles which are twisted around a stick and eaten. 
The Hisama Archery Festival is held every September, and celebrates traditional Kantonese archery. It can attract up to 15,000 visitors each year.