Biratori, Hokkaidō

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Biratori**
**平取町**
Biratori's location in Hokkaidō (Hidaka), Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō (Hidaka)
District	Saru
Physical characteristics
Area	743.16 km² (286.94 sq mi)
Population (as of March 2008)
Total	5,909
Density	7.95 /km² (21 /sq mi)
Location	42°35′N, 142°8′E
Symbols
Tree	Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
Flower	Lily of the Valley
Bird	Great spotted woodpecker
Flag
Biratori Government Office
Mayor	Yoshiteru Nakamichi
Address	〒055-0192 28, Honchō, Biratori-chō, Saru-gun, Hokkaidō
Phone number	01457-2-2221
Official website: Biratori Town

Biratori (平取町, Biratori-chō^?) is a town located in Saru District, Hidaka, Hokkaidō, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 5,909 and a density of 7.95 persons per km². The total area is 743.16 km².

The Nibutani Dam was constructed in Nibutani (二風谷) district on the Saru River, though there was a strong objection due to a sacred meaning of the place for indigenous Ainu people. Nibutani is the site of the Ainu Cultural center. Nibutani's best known son is perhaps Shigeru Kayano, an advocate for the Ainu and Ainu language and culture.

Biratori is primarily an agricultural town, growing many different kinds of fruits and vegetables for people and livestock. It was also known for its lumber industry.

Other places of note in Biratori:

Biratori Onsen
Family Land
Suzuran Field in Memu, where Lily of the Valley (also known as Maybells) bloom from May to June. The field covers 15 hectares and is the largest in Japan. It opened to the public in 1963, but had to be closed in 1975 due to damage from overpicking and trampling. It was able to open again ten years later..
The UFO park (Set up as a UFO observation platform, it was later closed in the 1970s-1980s.)