Mima (美馬市, Mima-shi) is a city located in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2022, the city had an estimated population of 27,713 in 12,547 households and a population density of 75 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 367.14 square kilometres (141.75 sq mi).
The term Udatsu (うだつ) refers to a traditional architectural element unique to this area of Shikoku that is built into the long rows of shop houses. It consists of a brick and stucco wall that juts out of the second floor roof-line between two homes or shops. This allows for not only added privacy from one's immediate neighbor, but was also intended to be flame blocking fixture in the event the connecting apartment were to catch fire.
Like many other Japanese cities and towns, Mima city has several famous local food products. Famous agricultural products from Mima are yuzu citrons, grapes and hassaku oranges. Yuzu are harvested in autumn, and are used in the production of, for example, yuzu juice. Hassaku are harvested before the end of December, and are then stored until they are fully ripened (around February). These oranges are slightly sour. Another famous food product is Mima-kara, a spicy condiment (kara means spicy) which is essentially a mix of organically grown green chili peppers boiled down in soy sauce. There are also four local sake breweries in Mima city, namely Tsukasagiku, Myōjō, ōga and Shinomiya. These all sell their own, hand-made sake. Another famous local drink is 'Mima-no-Sato', a shōchū (Japanese gin), made from Kintoki potatoes. Wagasa (Japanese paper umbrellas) and Awa-uchiwa (Awa fans) are traditionally hand-made in Mima. In the past, more than 200 umbrella shops existed in the city.
There are two small airports near Mima city. From Tokushima Airport, travelers can take the bus to Tokushima Station. From there, travelers can get on the Tokushima line (徳島線 Tokushima-sen). Takamatsu Airport, can be accessed from Mima by Route 193. From Mima City Hall, it takes approximately 40 minutes by car. The largest international airport in the vicinity is Kansai International Airport in Osaka (2 hr 45 min from Tokushima city, ¥4000 — cheaper if you purchase a round trip ticket).
There are three train stations along the Tokushima Line that serve Mima City. These are, from east to west, Anabuki Station, Oshima Station and Sadamitsu Station.
In 2005, the city of Mima was created from the towns and villages of Mima, Anabuki, Waki, and Koyadaira. (Handa, Sadamitsu, and the village of Ichiu merged into Tsurugi, which is also part of Mima District.) Mima had a population of 28,000 in 2022.
