| Kutchan 倶知安町 |
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|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Location of Kutchan in Hokkaidō (Shiribeshi) | |
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Kutchan
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Hokkaidō |
| Prefecture | Hokkaidō (Shiribeshi) |
| District | Abuta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 261.24 km2 (100.9 sq mi) |
| Population (March,2008) | |
| • Total | 15,369 |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| City symbols | |
| - Tree | Painted Maple |
| - Flower | Rhododendron |
| Phone number | 0136-22-1121 |
| Address | 3-3 Kita-ichijō-higashi, Kutchan-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 044-0001 |
| Website | Official Website |
Kutchan (倶知安町 Kutchan-chō) is a town located in Abuta District, Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan. Kutchan lies slightly north of the volcano Mount 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 population density of 61.85 persons per km². The total area is 261.24 km².
Throughout Hokkaidō, Kutchan is known for its proximity to the world famous Niseko powder snow region and for its production of quality potatoes and potato products. Among these products, Kutchan is most famous for manufacturing gosetsu-udon, a Japanese noodle made from potato flour. Jagata-kun. The skiing potato that is the cartoon mascot of Kutchan, indicates Kutchan's two most celebrated aspects. Jagata-kun roughly translates as, "little, fat potato boy."
For the past three years Kutchan has led Japan in terms of increase in land prices, increasing by 40.9% in 07/08 according to official Ministry of Land & Infrastructure figures. This increase was due to the growing demand for services and accommodation in the neighbouring snow villages. However, the 2008 economic crisis and the rise of the yen versus all major currencies (in particular the Australian dollar) has dampened speculative investing and a glut in real estate has formed, leaving a buyer's market with few buyers.
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Kutchan has the distinction of being one of the snowiest towns on earth with average annual snowfalls in excess of 12m (~40 feet). At only 176 m (577 ft) above sea level the town receives similar or greater amounts of snow than some of the world's leading ski areas such as Whistler, Aspen or Chamonix. Wintry weather lasts from early November through to early April with the snowiest month being January which averages 3.8 m (12 ft). January is also the coldest month averaging -6 degrees Celsius (21F). Kutchan has 4 very distinct seasons with reasonably short Spring and Autumn periods. The summer is mild with temperatures rarely getting above 30 degrees Celsius (86F) and the humidity that afflicts much of Asia at this time is only felt for a short period usually in August.
| Climate data for Kutchan, Japan(1971〜2000) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.7 (47.7) |
8.9 (48.0) |
13.3 (55.9) |
23.8 (74.8) |
28.9 (84.0) |
30.9 (87.6) |
34.1 (93.4) |
34.4 (93.9) |
29.7 (85.5) |
23.7 (74.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
12.5 (54.5) |
34.4 (93.9) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −2.4 (27.7) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
2.2 (36.0) |
9.1 (48.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
20.2 (68.4) |
24.1 (75.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
14.5 (58.1) |
6.5 (43.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
11.2 (52.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −10.7 (12.7) |
−10.6 (12.9) |
−6.8 (19.8) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
5.0 (41.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.4 (61.5) |
10.5 (50.9) |
3.7 (38.7) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
2.0 (35.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −35.7 (−32.3) |
−28.7 (−19.7) |
−28.8 (−19.8) |
−18.6 (−1.5) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
0.1 (32.2) |
4.6 (40.3) |
4.8 (40.6) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−8.9 (16.0) |
−22 (−7.6) |
−27 (−16.6) |
−35.7 (−32.3) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 189.9 (7.476) |
136.8 (5.386) |
91.2 (3.591) |
72.2 (2.843) |
72.7 (2.862) |
54.1 (2.13) |
82.8 (3.26) |
145.0 (5.709) |
134.1 (5.28) |
148.1 (5.831) |
178.3 (7.02) |
193.4 (7.614) |
1,498.5 (58.996) |
| Snowfall cm (inches) | 308 (121.3) |
237 (93.3) |
154 (60.6) |
47 (18.5) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
5 (2) |
113 (44.5) |
269 (105.9) |
1,135 (446.9) |
| % humidity | 82 | 81 | 75 | 72 | 73 | 78 | 82 | 82 | 81 | 78 | 78 | 81 | 78.6 |
| Sunshine hours | 49.4 | 65.5 | 122.6 | 171.2 | 188.1 | 178.9 | 146.9 | 151.8 | 151.6 | 131.6 | 66.0 | 41.9 | 1,465.5 |
| Source no. 1: Japan Meteorological Agency[1] | |||||||||||||
| Source no. 2: Japan Meteorological Agency[2] | |||||||||||||
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, draws the highest number of both domestic and foreign skiers and snowboarders than any other resort in the Niseko region. It is linked to the ski areas of Annupuri, Higashiyama, and Hanazono which together may be skied on one lift pass.
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 {{who)) claim is among the best in the entire hemisphere, if not the world.
While Hirafu's economic boom 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. 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.
Along with short grain white rice, much of Kutchan’s surrounding area is devoted to potato cultivation.
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.
Jagata-kun (じゃが太くん) is Kutchan's mascot cartoon character. Due to the heavy snowfalls in the region, Kutchan hosts several alpine resorts frequented by domestic and international skiers and snowboarders. In the summer, Kutchan is best known for its primary agricultural product: potatoes. The town's two main industries (ski resorts and potato farming) are both reflected in Jagata-kun, a skiing potato.