Miyako Bay

Miyako Bay (宮古湾, Miyako-wan) is a bay in Iwate Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of northern Japan. It is a long and narrow, roughly triangular body of water extending southwest to northeast where it opens to the Pacific Ocean. The Omoe Peninsula (重茂半島, Omoe-hantō) forms its southern border and Cape Anegasaki (姉ヶ崎, Anegasaki) forms its southern border. This gives it an area of approximately 24 km2 (9.3 sq mi). [1]

Miyako Bay
Miyako Bay
Miyako Bay
LocationIwate Prefecture, Japan
Coordinates39°36′N 141°58′E
Ocean/sea sourcesPacific Ocean
Basin countriesJapan
Max. length10 km (6.21 mi)
Max. width4.8 km (2.98 mi)
Surface area24 km2 (9.3 sq mi)
Average depth76 m (249 ft)
SettlementsMiyako, Mutsu

Miyako Bay is approximately 10 km (6.21 mi) long, with a width of 4.8 km (2.98 mi) at its mouth. The bay has an average depth of 20-40 meters, with a maximum depth of 76 m (249 ft).[1]

Economically, the shallow waters of the bay are an important fishery, with shellfish and seaweed cultivation and aquaculture benefiting from nutrients brought into the almost enclosed waters of the bay the Hei River and the effects of the offshore Kuroshio and Oyashio currents. Tourism is also economically important, as parts of the bay are within the borders of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park, including the scenic Jōdogahama coastline.

The Port of Miyako serves as the main seaport for the city of Morioka.

References

  1. 【閉鎖性海域ネット】 宮古湾 (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment of Japan. April 1, 2004.
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