Tōwara

**Tōwara** [宛桥；とうわら] is the capital city of Tomono Prefecture and its largest muncipality, with a population of roughly 620,000 in 2022. Tōwara is known as the 'City of Blue, Green, and White' because of its pure waters, lush natural scenery and its reputation as the birthplace of several contemporary Kantonese poets, such as Eihan Kusahara.

The Tōwara area was originally called Danyawara during the Chisō period. This name finds its origins in the fact that there was a bridge (*wara* in Middle Kantonese) crossing the Tohara River and nearby a small inn with a stable (*danya*), often used by people travelling the Daishō-ryō highway (one of the many *dōryō* of Honzura). The name was officially changed to Tōwara in 1245 when the settlement became a *koman* or rest-stop town and one of the centres of the Sanzama domain.

## Geography

Tōwara is located in the arable, lush western flatlands of the Tōwara Valley. It is surrounded by a number of water sources including the Toharanoko River and the Hanaka River; to the east of the city lie the Tōwara Wetlands, which is a protected nature reserve. The Tohara River runs through the south of the city, and is one of Tōwara's most recognisable landmarks. The surrounding cities (Ueni, Naramae, Bando, etc.) comprise an urban zone of over 100,000 people, with large areas of industrial farmland.

In the winter, dry winds blow through Tōwara from the west. This is due to snow clouds being blocked by the Yūmi Mountains between Tomono and Saka Prefectures, causing a distinct lack of precipitation. The city has a dry winter and is one of the sunniest places in Kanton. During the summer months, it is generally very hot since the location is inland, and temperatures can reach up to 27°C.

## Economy

The air conditioning system and compressor manufacturing company Kanzami Corporation as well as the popular snack/convenience foods company Myōji Foods have manufacturing sites in the city. The Tomono Prefectural Bank is headquartered in Tōwara.

Tōwara used to have a largely agriculture-based industry, although throughout the modern era its economy has come to be represented mostly by manufacturing and white-collar, tertiary-sector jobs. Rice farming is still a large industry in the north of the city. During the 1960s and '70s, the city had a flourishing car manufacturing industry which has since died out almost completely.

The tourism industry has undergone recent growth in Tōwara due to large ongoing campaigns and a revitilisation of the city's traditions and past.

## Education

### Universities

* Tōnomi University
* Tōjira University of Social Welfare
* Tomono University
* Aruma University
* Tōwara-Shima College of Art

## Local attractions

Tōwara is known as the home of Tomono University, one of the most prestigious universities in the Honzura region, alongside Tōnomi University and Tōjira University of Social Welfare. The city has a large student population. Tōwara is known for its lush natural scenery, often known as the 'Green Capital' in tourism brochures. Local attractions include:

* Tomono Temple
* Furumachi district
* Tōwara Central Park
* Uegano Temple ruins
* Miyahana Flower Gardens
* Tōwara Wetlands
* The Eihan Kusahara House
* Tōwara Central Kyōbun
* Daiyagi Theatre

The city is home to a number of annual festivals, including the Tōwara Oktoberfest (宛桥オクトペスト), the Uegano Grand Dance, the Tōwara Lantern Festival, the Shiguri Poetry Festival, the Tōwara Summer Festival, and many more.