city, southwestern Okayama ken (prefecture), Honshu, Japan, facing the Inland Sea. It was an old temple town until its port flourished during the Tokugawa period (1603–1867). The opening of a major railway line and a textile plant made the city the commercial centre of the Kobi plateau by the early 20th century. Flowers and fruit are grown in the area. Since 1965 land has been reclaimed for agricultural, industrial, and residential development. Pop. (2005) 57,272.