“Exit,” a sign declares in English. It marks the Mukogawa exit on the motorway. But what does Mukogawa mean to this region? Today, we’ll uncover the secrets behind the name “Mukogawa”.
Mukogawa refers to more than just an exit. It is a river. It is also a station. Also it is the name of a Women’s University. The Mukogawa River runs for 66 kilometers. Its drainage area spans 496 square kilometers.
The Mukogawa River begins at Mount Shirakami in the Tanba Highland. It winds through the Sanda Basin. Then, it carves the Mukogawa Keikoku Ravine between Sanda and Takarazuka. Reaching the Osaka Plain at Takarazuka it helps form boundaries. These boundaries lie between Takarazuka and Itami. Also between Nishinomiya and Amagasaki. Finally, the Mukogawa River flows into Osaka Bay.
During the Edo period, the river was a vital transportation route. It carried Kohama style sake. This sake came from Kohama-juku in Amagasaki Domain of Settsu Province. Several tributaries feed the Mukogawa River. These include the Aonogawa River in Sasayama and the Arimagawa River. The Arinogawa and Hatsukagawa Rivers also contribute. The Sakasegawa, Nigawa, and Edagawa Rivers join as well.
Mukogawa Station sits on the border of Amagasaki and Nishinomiya. This station is operated by Hanshin Electric Railway. The east and west entrances are in different cities. Mukogawa Station serves the Hanshin Main Line. It also marks the terminus of the Hanshin Mukogawa Line. In 2020, the station served almost 30,000 passengers daily.
Mukogawa Women’s University was founded in 1939. It emphasizes high intelligence and noble virtues. The university has an international branch campus. It is located in Spokane, Washington, USA.
So, as you pass through the Mukogawa exit remember the river. Think of the railway station bustling with commuters. Imagine the students at Mukogawa Women’s University. Mukogawa represents a confluence of nature, transportation and education. It is a name deeply woven into the fabric of this region.