Ibara is a small city of around 40,000 people, in the west part of Okayama Prefecture. The city lies right on the border with Hiroshima Prefecture, and is relatively close to eastern Hiroshima's biggest city, Fukuyama.
Ibara is now made up of three main areas, Central Ibara, Yoshii Town, and Bisei Town. Yoshii Town and Bisei Town were originally individual towns, before being merged with Ibara in 2005.
It's said that people from Yoshii have stronger links to Fukuyama on their left, and Bisei have stronger links to Kurashiki to their right, making Ibara the cross point between Okayama and Hiroshima.
Denim is such a big industry for Ibara, that in 1970,
75% of Japan made denim was produced in Ibara.
Ibara has changed a lot over the years.
Have a look below to see how it has evolved to become the city we know and love today!
