Miyako

Miyako, city, eastern Iwate ken (prefecture), northeastern Honshu, Japan. It is situated on the estuary of the Hei River, facing Miyako Bay (an embayment of the Pacific Ocean).

The city has been an important fishing port since the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603–1867) and is known for its salmon, trout, and mackerel. The manufacture of fertilizer, metal, and construction materials was introduced after World War II. The port was enlarged in the 1950s, and Miyako is now a major importer of timber for its lumber industry. Nearby Jōdoga Beach, renowned for its blowhole, is part of Rikuchu-kaigan National Park. On March 11, 2011, the city and surrounding region were devastated by a large tsunami, generated by a severe earthquake centred in the Pacific south of Miyako and east of Sendai. Pop. (2010) 59,430.