Hashimoto City was formed in 1955 by the merger of several villages. It is about a 60-minute drive from Kyoto and Osaka, and about 70 minutes from Kobe. The city is known for two specialty products that are said to be the best in Japan. One is pile fabric. Used for luxury blankets and interior goods, it accounts for a large share of the production volume. The other is Kishu hera fishing rods. These rods, also considered a traditional craft, account for almost the entire national market share. They are an extremely attractive product for herabu fishing enthusiasts. One of the attractions is Gakubunji Tenmangu Shrine, which is said to be the home of the god of learning and is bustling with worshippers during exam season.