Shiraoi, Hokkaido

Shiraoi
白老町
Town

Symbol

Location of Shiraoi in Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
Shiraoi

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 42°33′N 141°21′E / 42.550°N 141.350°E / 42.550; 141.350Coordinates: 42°33′N 141°21′E / 42.550°N 141.350°E / 42.550; 141.350
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
District Shiraoi
Area
 • Total 425.75 km2 (164.38 sq mi)
Population (31 May 2008)
 • Total 20,998
 • Density 49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Sorbus commixta (ナナカマド Nanakamado)
 • Flower Lespedeza bicolor (エゾヤマハギ Ezo-yama-hagi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-1-1 Ōmachi, Shiraoi-chō, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaidō
059-0995　
Website www.town.shiraoi.hokkaido.jp

Shiraoi (白老町 Shiraoi-chō) is a town located in Shiraoi District, Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of 31 May 2008, the town had a population of 20,371[1] The town was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

History

Shiraoi like the rest of Hokkaido was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means Rainbows are frequent here in the Ainu language.[2] Other sources state that the name comes from Shiraunai meaning Horse-flies are common here.[3]

In 1867 the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on Shiogama Shrine (塩釜神社 Shiogama Jinja). The following year the Boshin War caused Sendai to retreat from Shiraoi and return to Sendai proper. After the revolt was put down the government dismantled the fort in 1870.

The end of the 19th century saw expansion of the town. A road was established connecting Shiraoi with Muroran, Sapporo, and Hakodate in 1873. Nineteen years later the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu were established. Two significant events occurred during this expansion: in 1874 Mount Tarumae erupted and in 1881 the Emperor Meiji visited.[4]

Geography

The total area is 425.72 square kilometres (164.37 sq mi). The town is 28.0 kilometres (17.4 mi) East to West and 26.4 kilometres (16.4 mi) North to South.[1] 82% of this area is forested.[2]

Land Use 2006[1]
Use Percentage
Mountains and forest 74
Other 9
Plains and moor 6
Ranchland 4
Farmland 2
Housing 2
Mixed use 2
Wet lands 1

Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include:

Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also a place of natural beauty.

Climate

Shiraoi has an oceanic climate, mild when compared to the rest of Hokkaido. The annual temperature ranges between the extremes of 27.8 °C (82.0 °F) and −20.8 °C (−5.4 °F). The average annual temperature is 7.2 °C (45.0 °F). Shiraoi receives 1,660 millimetres (65 in) of precipitation annually. This only results in 103 centimetres (41 in) of snow annually. In a typical year, the snow lingers for 80 days. Accumulated snow rarely exceeding 44 centimetres (17 in). Wind velocity averages merely 1.6 metres per second (3.6 mph), that is less than half of the neighboring Tomakomai and Muroran.[5]

Demographics

Shiraoi has a density of 47.86 persons per km².

Historic Population
Year Households Population
1899 848 3659
1919 988 4906
1920 1906 6312
1925 1348 6849

Economy

In the 1930s Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms,[6] such as Shiitake, and mullet roe (or karasumi) at Kojohama. Shiraoi imported the knowledge of mullet roe production from Iwanai.[7]

Shiraoi has been involved in the harvest of marine products such as the Horsehair crab and konbu. Because of dwindling resources harvesting of hair crab has been reduced to a test operation from the middle of July until the middle of August.[7]

Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966 Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens and a business worth ¥2.8 billion.[6]

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Shiraoi has four annual festivals:[8]

Museums and other points of interest

The statue of a kotankorokur (the leader of a community), who has an inaw on his right hand, at the Ainu Museum

Education

Elementary schools:[1]

Middle Schools:[1]

Other Schools:[1]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line:

Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies:

Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways:

Sister cities

Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships:[10]

Sports

The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Shiraoi Official Web Page" (in Japanese). Shiraoi Town. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  2. 1 2 "Local". Shiraoi Town. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  3. ↑ Akagi Sanpei (赤木 三兵), Journey of Hokkaidō Place Names—Notes on Ainu Language Place Names (北海道 地名の旅—アイヌ語地名解 Hokkaidō Chimei no Tabi — Ainugo Chimei Kai), pg 65.
  4. ↑ "History 1800". Shiraoi Official Website. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  5. ↑ "Topology and Climate". Shiraoi Official Website. 2002-11-25. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  6. 1 2 "Products". Shiraoi Town. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  7. 1 2 "Marine Products". Shiraoi Town. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  8. ↑ "Festival". Shiraoi Town. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  9. ↑ Bisignani, J.D. (December 1993). "Donan-Southern Hokkaido". In Taran March. Japan Handbook (Second ed.). Chico, California: Moon Publications, Inc. pp. 792–793. ISBN 0-918373-70-0.
  10. ↑ "Town Profile". Shiraoi Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  11. ↑ Drape, Joe (April 28, 2008). "A Pampered Derby Champion's Finicky Taste". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
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