Tamashima: The new node of River and Sea

[ The regional understanding around Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture ]

The Tamashima area is situated on the western side of Kurashiki city, which used to be a maritime area dotted with numerous islands. During the early Edo period (17th–19th century; Tokugawa Shogun Era), a significant land reclamation project was undertaken, leading to the construction of Tamashima port. Subsequently, many goods from the Bitchu region (located on the western side of present-day Okayama prefecture) were transported via the Takahashi River and gathered there, transforming it into a major port along the Kitamae-bune trade route (a shipping route connecting Hokkaido to Osaka through the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea).

Transitioning to the Meiji and Taisho periods (1869-1926), there was a notable shift in inland transportation methods from river to land. Railway infrastructure was developed, leading to the opening of Tamashima station in 1891. In 1919, the Hakubi Line of the former Japanese National Railway was constructed along the Takahashi River, extending from Kurashiki northward. Consequently, small boats known as Takase-bune became obsolete, and the significance of Tamashima port declined.

However, on the eastern side of the river, substantial industrialization occurred with the establishment of an aircraft factory in 1943. This area has since evolved into Mizushima Industrial District, now one of Japan's largest industrial complexes.

In 1967, Tamashima City merged with Kurashiki City and became a part of Kurashiki City. In 1975, the Sanyo Shinkansen line opened. As a result, Tamashima Station, serving as the gateway to Kurashiki City, was renamed Shin-Kurashiki Station and designated as a Shinkansen station. This transformation once again positioned Tamashima as a crucial transportation hub.

Photo: © Wikipedia, Shibayax