Yabu City is located in the Tajima region in northern Hyogo Prefecture. It is a relatively new city, having been incorporated as a city in 2004 through the merger of four towns. The city is blessed with beautiful nature, with the Maruyama River flowing to the east and mountains such as Mt. Hiei, Mt. Hachibuse, and the Wakasugi Plateau towering to the west. Its history dates back to the Jomon period, and during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, it was home to the Yagi Domain, with a stipend of 15,000 koku, and flourished as a castle town. Industry has flourished since the Meiji period, with the establishment of spinning mills, and the city boasts a rich commercial and industrial base. It also boasts a wide range of tourist attractions, including ski resorts. The city boasts cultural assets such as the three-story pagoda of Namakusa Shrine, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property; Yagi Castle, a nationally designated historic site; and the Minotani Kofun Group; as well as tourist attractions such as Mt. Hiei International Ski Resort and Hachi Kogen Ski Resort.