Hōfu Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Hōfu

防府市

City

Hofu city seen from Hōfu Tenman-gū shrine.

Flag

Hōfu

Location in Japan

Country

Japan

Area

• Total

189.37 km² (73.12 sq mi)

Population

(May 31, 2023)

• Total

114,846

• Density

606.464/km² (1,570.73/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+09:00 (JST)

City hall address

7-1, Kotobukichō, Hōfu-shi, Yamaguchi-ken 747-8501

Climate

Cfa


Symbols
Flower	Scarlet Sage
Tree	Sangoju (Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki)

Hōfu City Hall

Aerial photograph of central Hōfu

Hōfu Tenman-gu

Hōfu (防府市, Hōfu-shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The name "Hōfu" (防府) actually means "the capital of Suō Province." This tells us a lot about its history!

As of May 2023, about 114,846 people live in Hōfu. It's a city with a good number of people living close together, covering an area of about 189 square kilometers.

Discovering Hōfu's Location
- Cities Nearby
- Hōfu's Climate
Hōfu's Population Over Time
A Glimpse into Hōfu's History
Hōfu's Economy and Industries
Learning in Hōfu: Education
Getting Around Hōfu: Transportation
- Trains
- Highways
Hōfu's Sister Cities
Fun Places to Visit in Hōfu
Sports and Entertainment
Famous People from Hōfu
See also

Discovering Hōfu's Location

Hōfu is right in the middle of Yamaguchi Prefecture. It sits by the beautiful Seto Inland Sea to the south. A major river, the Saba River, flows through the city and into the sea.

Long ago, some areas by the sea were used for salt fields. Now, these areas have been reclaimed, creating flat land. Hōfu also includes five islands in the Seto Inland Sea: Sabajima, Mukaishima, Nojima, Hirashima, and Okishima.

Cities Nearby

Hōfu shares its borders with two other cities in Yamaguchi Prefecture:

Shūnan
Yamaguchi

Hōfu's Climate

Hōfu has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and cool winters. It rains quite a bit throughout the year, but especially in the summer months.

The average temperature in Hōfu is about 15.9 degrees Celsius. July is usually the wettest month. The warmest month is August, with temperatures around 27.5 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest, averaging about 5.0 degrees Celsius.

Hōfu's Population Over Time

The population of Hōfu has changed over many years. Based on Japanese census data, in 2020, about 113,979 people lived in the city. Hōfu has been keeping track of its population since 1920.

A Glimpse into Hōfu's History

The area where Hōfu is located was once part of an ancient region called Suō Province. That's why the city's name, "Hōfu," means "the capital of Suō Province." People have lived here since the Jōmon period, which was a very long time ago!

During the Nara period, an important temple called Suō Kokubun-ji was built in Hōfu. Later, in the Edo Period, this area was part of the Chōshū Domain.

Hōfu officially became a city on August 25, 1936. You can even see how the city changed over 50 years in the animated film Mai Mai Miracle. The story in the film takes place in 1955, with flashbacks going back 1,000 years!

Hōfu's Economy and Industries

Hōfu has always been an important port city. In ancient times, it was well-known for making salt. In more recent times, the area grew quickly with many factories. Textile mills and large factories were built on the old salt farms and along the coast.

Today, Hōfu has many industries related to transportation. A big Mazda automobile factory is located here. Other major companies like Bridgestone, Kyowa Hakko Bio, and Tokai Carbon also have facilities in the city. Hōfu is also home to a training base for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Learning in Hōfu: Education

Hōfu has many schools for its young people. The city government runs 17 public elementary schools and 10 public junior high schools. The Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education operates three public high schools.

There are also private schools, including one junior high school and two high schools. For higher education, the private Yamaguchi Junior College is located in Hōfu.