Muroran, Hokkaidō

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**Muroran**
**室蘭市**
Muroran's location in Hokkaidō (Iburi), Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō (Iburi)
Physical characteristics
Area	80.65 km² (31.14 sq mi)
Population (as of March 2008)
Total	96,724
Density	1,210 /km² (3,134 /sq mi)
Location	42°19′N, 140°58′E
Symbols
Tree	Japanese Rowan
Flower	Azalea
Bird	Coal Tit
Fish	Rockfish
Flag
Muroran Government Office
Mayor	Masashi Shingū
Address	〒051-8511 1-2 Saiwaichō, Muroran-shi, Hokkaidō
Phone number	0143-22-1111
Official website: Muroran City

Muroran (室蘭市, Muroran-shi^?) is a city and port located in Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture.

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 96,724 and a density of 1,210 people per km². The total area is 80.65 km².

1 History
2 Scenic spots
3 Transportation
4 Education
5 Famous people
6 Sister cities
7 External links

[edit] History

The origin of Muroran's name is derived from the Ainu word "Mo Ruerani" that means "the bottom of a little slope". The little slope, in front of the former Senkai Temple in Sakimori-cho, is noted in connection with the name of Muroran.

In the late 16th century, the Muroran region came under the administration of the Matsumae clan. Muroran was developed as a trading post between the Ainu and the Matsumae clan people.

In 1892, the Port of Muroran was opened for the wooden bridge construction at Kaigan (former Tokikaramoi); at the same time, the main road began construction from Hakodate to Sapporo as the first step of Hokkaidō Colonization Plan.

With the opening of a ship route from Muroran to Mori and railroad extension to Iwamizawa, Muroran's municipality was started on August 1, 1922 as the core of the major land and sea traffic in the pioneer era of Hokkaidō. Since then, Muroran has been developing as an important transportation hub and a center of the steel industry.

Today, there are large cement factories, steel mills, oil refineries, and shipyards clustered around the port of Muroran.

[edit] Scenic spots

Hakucho Bridge (白鳥大橋) spans the Port of Muroran and is the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan. Hakucho means swan.

Itanki Beach is a popular hang out for swimming and surfing during the summer months. The beach is very wide with fine brown sand.

Muroran holds eight specific scenic sights called Muroran-Hakkei(室蘭八景). The most famous of them is:

The Earth Cape (地球岬, chikyū misaki^?) has a white lighthouse and panoramic blue ocean. Some pairs of falcons live around there.

A view of Muroran

Chikyu Misaki

Chikyu Misaki in winter

[edit] Transportation

Muroran has an extensive network of public transportation. The JR trainline has five stops in Muroran, starting from Higashi Muroran and ending in downtown Muroran, and can be used to access both Hakodate to the South West, and Sapporo to the North East.

[edit] Education

Muroran houses one of the most prominent Marine Biology institute in Japan, Institute of Algological Research of Hokkaido University.

Muroran Institute of Technology (national university)
Bunka Women's University Muroran Junior College
Muroran Ohtani High School
Muroran Shimizugaoka High School

[edit] Famous people

Natsumi Abe - singer, actress. Hello! Project soloist. former Morning Musume member.
Asami Abe - singer, actress. Younger sister of Abe Natsumi.
Kaori Iida - singer. Hello! Project soloist. former Morning Musume member.