and Kobe, with so many houses belonging to merchants and shipping agents crowded together that people used to refer to the thousand houses of Mimitsu (Mimitsu-sengen). It fell into sharp decline with the advent of railroads. In 1986, it was designated as a national important preservation district for groups of historic buildings, and much of the 19th-century atmosphere, including traditional buildings, earthen walls, and stone pavements, remains. Tōgō was a small mountain town which merged with Hyūga on February 25, 2006. Togo was the home town of the Japanese writer Bokusui Wakayama. Neighboring cities and towns Kadogawa to the north Misato to the west Tsuno to the south Kijō to the southwest Demographics , Hyūga had a total population of 63,011 people; 30,150 males and 32,861 females. Culture Annual cultural events takes place the first Friday and Saturday of August every year. This is the largest festival in Hyuga City attracting visitors from all over Japan. The rather peculiar dance associated with this festival is not exclusive to Hyuga City, but this is the most famous Hyottoko dance in Japan; as such it and the characters in the dance have become symbols of the city. takes place during September or October in accordance to the harvest moon. In Hyuga City, this event features two dances, the more traditional Jugoya dance and a traditional dance specific to the Togo region. This is the second largest festival in Hyuga City. Museums and other points of interest Transportation Rail Hyūga is served by the Nippō Main Line, a line run by JR Kyushu which serves eastern and southern Kyushu. This provides access to other parts of Miyazaki Prefecture, and other areas of Kyushu as far as Kagoshima and Fukuoka. Stations on the Nippo Main Line include Hyūgashi Station, Zaikōji Station, Minami-Hyūga Station, and Mimitsu Station. Highways National Route 10 runs straight through central Hyuga connecting it to most other major cities in western Kyushu. Route 15 is a very short stretch of highway connecting the industrial district with the Expressway. National Route 327 runs through the mountains connecting Hyuga with Misato, Morotsuka, and Shiiba. The Higashikyushu Expressway is a tolled two-lane expressway linking most major cities in Kyushu. The Hyuga Interchange (IC) has become a major gateway in and out of Hyuga in part due to the dramatically reduced travel times to and from other cities. Bus The Miyazaki Kotsu serves Hyūga and