Kutchan, Hokkaidō

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Kutchan
倶知安町
Location of Kutchan
Kutchan's location in Hokkaidō, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Hokkaidō
Prefecture Hokkaidō
Physical characteristics
Area 261.24 km² (100.87 sq mi)
Population (as of March,2008)
     Total 15,369
Location 42°54′N, 140°46′E
Symbols
Tree Painted Maple
Flower Rhododendron
Symbol of Kutchan
Flag
Kutchan Government Office
Address 〒044-0001
3-3 Kita-ichijō-higashi, Kutchan-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō
Phone number 0136-22-1121
Official website: Town of Kutchan

Kutchan (倶知安町 Kutchan-chō?) is a town located in Abuta District, Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan. Kutchan lies slightly north of the volcano Mt. Yōtei, and is approximately 50 kilometers west of Sapporo. The subprefecture government offices are located in this town, making it the capital of the subprefecture.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 15,369 and a density of 61.85 persons per km². The total area is 261.24 km².

Throughout Hokkaidō, Kutchan is celebrated for its proximity to the Niseko ski region and for its agricultural production of quality potatoes and potato products. Among these celebrated products, Kutchan is most famous for manufacturing gosetsu-udon, which is a Japanese noodle made from potato flour. Jagata-kun, the skiing potato that is the cartoon mascot of Kutchan, indicates Kutchan's most two most celebrated aspects. Jagata-kun roughly translates as, "little, fat potato boy."

Contents

[edit] Geography

  • Located approximately 50 km west of Sapporo. Kutchan lies in a valley surrounded by various mountains, notably Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Yotei.
Kutchan as seen from Asahigaoka Park
Kutchan as seen from Asahigaoka Park

[edit] Neighboring municipalities

[edit] History

  • Kutchan’s peculiar name comes from the language of the Hokkaidō's native Ainu people. It attempts to mimic the pronunciation of the Ainu word ku-shan-i (which roughly translates as “the place where the channel flows”), but some claim that the name is derived from kucha-an-nai (“stream of a hunting lodge”).
  • 1892: Cultivation begins by colonizers from Tokushima Prefecture who had settled in nearby Yoichi.
  • 1893: The village of Kutchan is established. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuta village town office (present-day Tōyakō).
  • 1896: The town office of Kutchan opens.
  • 1899: Changes jurisdiction from Muroran Subprefecture (present-day Iburi Subprefecture) to Iwanai Subprefecture.
  • 1906: Administered as a second-level municipality.
  • 1910: On February 8, each of Rusutsu, Iwanai, and Otaru’s subprefectures is consolidated into the Abuta District of Muroran Subprefecture. Shiribeshi Subprefecture is established in Kutchan. On April 5, the satellite village of East Kutchan (present-day Kyogoku) is formed. Nisekoan, Higa, and the Fujizan area become part of the Shutai village administration zone (present-day Niseko)
  • 1916: Administered as a town-level municipality
  • 1991: 100-year anniversary is celebrated.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Hirafu

Kutchan hosts the Hirafu skiing area. Hirafu is commonly mistaken as a section of Niseko town since it is a part of the greater Niseko skiing region. However, to the financial benefit of Kutchan, Hirafu lies within the confines of Kutchan town. Hirafu's largest ski resort, Niseko Grand Hirafu, undoubtedly draws the highest number of both domestic and foreign skiers and snowboarders than any other resort in the Niseko region.

In recent years, an explosively high number of Australians have frequented Hirafu, many of whom have settled in the area and spawned businesses such as pensions, bars, and cafes.

Hirafu is also frequented by a considerable number of tourists from Hong Kong, as well as tourists coming from within Japan.

Hirafu's expanding tourism industry is often attributed to the steady and copious supply of fresh powder snow, which many claim is among the best in the entire hemisphere, if not the world.

While Hirafu's skyrocketing economic growth is undoubtedly an asset to Kutchan town, many fear that such rapid development will alter the price margin of goods and services offered in the village, and subsequently transform the local flavor of Hirafu.[citation needed] The local community of both Japanese and foreign "backpacker" skiers and snowboarders, who typically operate on a smaller budget than their upscale counterparts, are already being overshadowed by the burgeoning influx of wealthy tourists.[citation needed]

[edit] Agriculture

Along with short grain white rice, much of Kutchan’s surrounding area is devoted to potato cultivation.

[edit] Culture

As the main regional center of population, Kutchan hosts a variety of cultural institutions and events. The town is home to two museums, the Kutchan Natural History Museum and the Shu Ogawara Art Museum. It also hosts the annual Mt. Niseko Kutchan Jazz Festival every July in the center of town, drawing thousands to enjoy the music of Japanese and Australian musicians.

[edit] Education

  • Public High Schools
    • Kutchan High School, Kutchan Agriculture Vocational School
  • Middle Schools
    • Kutchan, Toryo
  • Elementary Schools
    • Kutchan, Hokuyo, Higashi, Nishi, Kabayama Branch School

[edit] Transportation

  • Roadway
    • General national highways
    • Prefectural highways
      • Hokkaido Route 58 (Kutchan – Niseko)
      • Hokkaido Route 271 (Kutchan stop)
      • Hokkaido Route 343 (Rankoshi – Niseko – Kutchan)
      • Hokkaido Route 478 (Kyogoku – Kutchan)
      • Hokkaido Route 631 (Niseko – Takahara – Hirafu)

[edit] Places of interest

[edit] Famous persons

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] References

  1. ^ Niseko Mt Resort Grand Hirafu

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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