Monbetsu, Hokkaidō

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Monbetsu (紋別市; -shi) is a city located in Abashiri, Hokkaidō, Japan, on the Sea of Okhotsk. The name comes from Ainu Mopet (Quiet River). It is often called Ōhotsuku-Monbetsu (Okhotsk-Monbetsu) to distinguish from town of Monbetsu in Hidaka Subprefecture (different kanji, but same reading).

Most of Monbetsu's economy is dedicated to fishing for cold-water species such as crab. The crab from Monbetsu is reputably the best in Japan, and is such a source of town pride that a sculpture of a crab claw nearly 10m tall was built down by the waterfront.

The city is also a center for research on sea ice with an international conference held in February (usually the time of peak sea ice) each year. There is also a local Sea Ice Festival held each year that coencides with the Sapporo Snow Festival. The sea ice festival features impressive sculptures actually built out of sea ice along with a large ice maze.

During the summertime, when the sea ice melts, sailors from Russia are a common sight in the city. Many local businesses have banned Russian visitors for their supposed "unruly" behavior, which has led many to criticize Monbetsu as a hotbed of racial discrimination. (See also: Ethnic issues in Japan.)

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 27,764 and a density of 33.44 persons per km². The total area is 830.36 km².

Monbetsu does not have passenger rail service. There are buses to Sapporo and Asahikawa, as well as a daily flight to Tokyo from Monbetsu Airport.

[edit] History

  • 1909 Mobetsu Village (藻鼈村) and Monbetsu Village merge to form Monbetsu Village
  • 1919 Monbetsu Village becomes Monbetsu Town
  • July 1, 1954 Shokotsu Village (渚滑村) and Kamishokotsu Village (上渚滑村) merge with Monbetsu to form Monbetsu City

[edit] External links


Shadow picture of Hokkaidō Prefecture Hokkaidō Prefecture
Subprefectures
Abashiri | Hidaka | Hiyama | Iburi | Ishikari | Kamikawa | Kushiro | Nemuro | Oshima | Rumoi | Shiribeshi | Sorachi | Sōya | Tokachi
Cities
Abashiri | Akabira | Asahikawa | Ashibetsu | Bibai | Chitose | Date | Ebetsu | Eniwa | Fukagawa | Furano | Hakodate | Hokuto | Ishikari | Iwamizawa | Kitahiroshima | Kitami | Kushiro | Mikasa | Monbetsu | Muroran | Nayoro | Nemuro | Noboribetsu | Obihiro | Otaru | Rumoi | Sapporo (capital) | Shibetsu | Sunagawa | Takikawa | Tomakomai | Utashinai | Wakkanai | Yūbari
edit

Coordinates: 44°20′56″N, 143°20′53″E

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