 Niihama was founded on November 3, 1937.It is famous for its Besshi copper mine as well as the annual Niihama Taiko Festival (also known as "The Man Festival", "otokomatsuri" 男祭り) that is the center of annual drunken and boisterous activity, drawing tourists from around the country to watch this festival.Niihama is known for its local dialect, "Niihama-ben".