HAMAKITA

city, Shizuoka ken (prefecture), Honshu, Japan. It lies on the west bank of the Tenryu River, northeast of Hamamatsu. Hamakita's cotton industry began in the late 19th century, and the city now has more than 500 cotton factories. Other industrial products include automobile parts, motor bicycles, and textiles. Agriculture in the surrounding region yields hechima (snake gourds), ginger, and hogs. There are rail and highway connections to Hamamatsu. Pop. (1990) 81,159.