Katsuyama, Okayama
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 9,027 and a density of 65.04 persons per km. The total area was 138.79 km. On March 31, 2005, Katsuyama, along with the town of Hokubō (from Jōbō District), and towns of Kuse, Ochiai and Yubara, and the villages of Chūka, Kawakami, Mikamo and Yatsuka (all from Maniwa District) were merged to create the city of Maniwa. To coincide with the 2005 merger, Katsuyama residents were given a book commemorating the last 50 years of Katsuyama's existence as a town and a special purple cloth with the  town logo imprinted on it. Local to Katsuyama is the , the only Okayama waterfall on the list of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls and home to Japanese macaque monkeys. Recently, Katsuyama has also become known for its noren adorning the shops and houses along a 1 km stretch of the Katsuyama Historical Preservation District, wherein the Edo Period landscape of the town remains. The noren are all made by one craftswoman, Yoko Kano, who has her own workshop along the street. Traditional Products. Katsuyama is famous for its bamboo basketry, originating from the town's Tsukida district, and four types  of baskets produced there are designated as "Traditional Japanese Crafts". Also famous is Gozenshu sake made by Katsuyama's Tsuji Honten brewery which has been in the town since the early 1800s, having relocated from nearby Ochiai. Geography. Rivers: Asahi River (The big-3 river through Okayama Prefecture). Adjoining municipalities in Okayama Prefecture: Kuse, Ochiai, Yubara, Mikamo, Hokubō, and Ōsa.