Tomamae, Hokkaido

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Tomamae (Japanese language:苫前町; -chou) is a town located in Tomamae District, Rumoi, Hokkaido, Japan.

Though typical of the small coastal towns that line the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Tomamae boasts a nice onsen-hotel fuwatto with views of the sea from the hot pool. The hotel's restaurant is certainly worth a visit for lunch if you are making the trip north to Wakkanai. Alternatively on the main route 232 through Tomamae heading north there is a good ramen shop, Taishoushokadou, on the right just past the Enneos garage.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2004, the town has an estimated population of 4,384 and a density of 9.65 persons per km². The total area is 454.50 km².

[edit] Tourism

Tomamae is famous for its windmills which dot the countryside. It is also famous for its bear. In 1915 a huge bear attacked the village and killed 9 people. If you visit the Bear Museum, just off route 232 (turn right by the Seicomart and left at the end of the road) you can see many interesting exhibits and a 40min film reconstructing the attack.

The town festival is at the beginning of July and at the end of February they have a kite competition and festival (though it is usually very cold.)