Shiraoi, Hokkaidō

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Shiraoi
白老町

Shiraoi's location in Hokkaidō (Iburi), Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō (Iburi)
District	Shiraoi
Physical characteristics
Area	425.61 km² (164.33 sq mi)
Population (as of 31 May 2008)
Total	20,3,731
Density	47.86 /km² (124 /sq mi)
Location	42°33′N, 141°21′E
Symbols
Tree	Sorbus commixta (ナナカマド, Nanakamado?)
Flower	Lespedeza bicolor (エゾヤマハギ, Ezo-yama-hagi?)
Shiraoi Government Office
Address	〒059-0995　 Shiraoi Town Hall 1-1, Omachi 1-chome, Shiraoi-chō, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaidō
Phone number	0144-82-2121
Official website: Shiraoi Official Web Site

Shiraoi (白老町, Shiraoi-chō^?) is a town located in Shiraoi District, Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 31 May 2008, the town had a population of 20,371^[1] The town was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Arts and culture 5 Sister cities 6 References 7 External links

[edit] History

Shiraoi like the rest of Hokkaidō was populated by the Ainu The name, Shiraoi, supposedly means Rainbows are frequent here in the Ainu language.^[2]

In 1867 the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on Shiogama Shrine (塩釜神社, Shiogama Jinjya^?). The following year the Boshin War caused Sendai to retreat from Shiraoi and return to Sendai proper. After the revolt was put down the government dismantled the fort in 1870.

The end of the 19th century saw expansion of the town. A road was established connecting Shiraoi with Muroran, Sapporo, and Hakodate in 1873. 19 year later the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu are established. Two events interrupt this expansion: in 1874 Mount Tarumae erupts and in 1881 Emperor Meiji visits.^[3].

[edit] Geography

The total area is 425.61 square kilometres (164.33 sq mi)^[2].

Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include:

• Shadai River
• Shiraoi River
• Shikyu River
• Betsubetsu River

Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also a place of natural beauty.

[edit] Demographics

Shiraoi has a density of 47.86 persons per km².

Historic Population

Year	Households	Population
1899	848	3659
1919	988	4906
1920	1906	6312
1925	1348	6849

[edit] Arts and culture

The Shadai Stallion Station is located here.

[edit] Sister cities

Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships:^[4]

• Quesnel, Canada since 1981
• Sendai, Japan since 1981
• Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (Japanese)Official website (some English content)

Coordinates: 42°33′N, 141°21′E