Shinbara

Shinbara [惡仂; しんばら] is a city located in upper-central Heisai Prefecture. As of 2020, it had a population of around 105,000. Shinbara is famous for its local beef, numerous festivals, historic temples and shrines, and its status as the 'culture capital' of the prefecture.
The area of modern-day Shinbara was part of ancient Tengō Province, the area which once took up around 70% of what we now call Heisai, and has been settled since ancient times. The city's northern ward is especially rich in artifacts and remains from the 5th century. By the Naro period hunters, trappers, settlers and missionaries were visiting and inhabiting the area. In the early 700s, Jijō Temple claims to have been established by the traveling priest Ikanami in a hilly area west of the city which is now part of Yamawa. 
By the 800s, there was a sizeable Summui population present in Shinbara but they were constantly antagonised by locals and officials of the Tengō clan. In 876, two separate attacks were launched by the Tengō clan against the Summui immigrants with little success. More attacks and skirmishes occurred through the years. In 877, a band of Summui fighters led by the warlord Noshiba were cornered by a larger force of Kantonese infantry in the Battle of Shinbarazō. Despite the strength and fighting power of the Summui, they could not hold out against the Kantonese and Noshiba and his followers surrendered. Noshiba was taken to the capital and beheaded. That same year Tengō no Kanzui established Ikinashi Castle. 
== Geography ==
Shinbara is located in the upper-central portion of Heisai Prefecture, bordered most notably by the city of Tenzai. The city lies on a fertile plain which rises to the foothills of Yamawa to the west; it also borders the Yamawa Valley. Although much of its former land has been taken up by the smaller city of Yohashi, there have been talks about merging the two municipalities.
== Economy ==
Shinbara's economy focuses mainly on light manufacture and the raising of its well-known beef, called shinbara-bōchū. Agriculture takes up a large part of the city's industry and many varieties of crops are grown on its outskirts.
== Local attractions ==
* Shinbara Summer Festival, which takes place every June and lasts for the whole month
* Jijō Temple
* Ikinashi Castle
* The Shinbara Fields, a long stretch of protected meadowland in the city's eastern ward popular with hikers and birdwatchers