Toba (Mie) 4.72

Toba is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan.As of August 2015, the city had an estimated population of 19,227 and a population density of 179 persons per km2. The total area was 107.34sqkm.GeographyToba is located on the northern half of Shima Peninsula in far eastern Mie Prefecture, facing Ise Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The area is famous for oysters and for cultured pearls. Much of the city is within the borders of the Ise-Shima National Park.Toba administers numerous islands in the Ise Bay, the most important of which are: KamishimaKozukumi IslandŌzukumi-jimaSugashimaTōshijimaSakatejimaMitsujimaNeighboring municipalitiesMie Prefecture IseShimaHistoryThe area of modern Toba has been continuously inhabited since before the Jomon period. During the Sengoku period, the area was under the control of pirates, from whom emerged Kuki Yoshitaka (from Nakiri district) as a dominant ruler. After having dominated the local seacoasts, he established Toba as his capital and built a castle there. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle became the center for Toba Domain.