 On July 16, 1945, 33 US B-24s bombed the bridges in around the city, severing the strategically important Nippō Main Line railway.On February 20, 2006, Nobeoka absorbed the towns of Kitakata and Kitaura (both from Higashiusuki District).On March 31, 2007, the town of Kitagawa (also from Higashiusuki District) was also merged into Nobeoka.