| Shiraoi 白老町 |
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| — Town — | |||
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| Location of Shiraoi in Hokkaidō (Iburi) | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Hokkaidō | ||
| Prefecture | Hokkaidō (Iburi) | ||
| District | Shiraoi | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 425.75 km2 (164.4 sq mi) | ||
| Population (31 May 2008) | |||
| • Total | 20,998 | ||
| • Density | 47.86/km2 (124/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| City symbols | |||
| - Tree | Sorbus commixta (ナナカマド Nanakamado) | ||
| - Flower | Lespedeza bicolor (エゾヤマハギ Ezo-yama-hagi) | ||
| Phone number | 0144-82-2121 | ||
| Address | 1-1-1 Ōmachi, Shiraoi-chō, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaidō 059-0995 |
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| Website | Town of Shiraoi | ||
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.
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Shiraoi like the rest of Hokkaidō was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means Rainbows are frequent here in the Ainu language.[2] Other sources state that the name comes from Shiraunai meaning Horse-flies are common here.[3]
In 1867 the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on Shiogama Shrine (塩釜神社 Shiogama Jinja). 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. Nineteen years later the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu were established. Two significant events occurred during this expansion: in 1874 Mount Tarumae eruped and in 1881 the Emperor Meiji visited.[4]
The total area is 425.72 square kilometres (164.37 sq mi). The town is 28.0 kilometres (17.4 mi) East to West and 26.4 kilometres (16.4 mi) North to South.[1] 82% of this area is forested.[2]
| Use | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mountains and forest | 74 |
| Other | 9 |
| Plains and moor | 6 |
| Ranchland | 4 |
| Farmland | 2 |
| Housing | 2 |
| Mixed use | 2 |
| Wet lands | 1 |
Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include:
Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also a place of natural beauty.
Shiraoi has an oceanic climate, mild when compared to the rest of Hokkaidō. The annual temperature ranges between the extremes of 27.8 °C (82.0 °F) and −20.8 °C (−5.4 °F). The average annual temperature is 7.2 °C (45.0 °F). Shiraoi receives 1,660 millimetres (65 in) of precipitation annually. This only results in 103 centimetres (41 in) of snow annually. In a typical year, the snow lingers for 80 days. Accumulated snow rarely exceeding 44 centimetres (17 in). Wind velocity averages merely 1.6 metres per second (3.6 mph), that is less than half of the neighboring Tomakomai and Muroran.[5]
Shiraoi has a density of 47.86 persons per km².
| Year | Households | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 848 | 3659 |
| 1919 | 988 | 4906 |
| 1920 | 1906 | 6312 |
| 1925 | 1348 | 6849 |
In the 1930s Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms,[6] such as Shiitake, and mullet roe (or karasumi) at Kojohama. Shiraoi imported the knowledge of mullet roe production from Iwanai, Hokkaidō.[7]
Shiraoi has been involved in the harvest of marine products such as the Horsehair crab and konbu. Because of dwindling resources harvesting of hair crab has been reduced to a test operation from middle of July until middle of August.[7]
Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966 Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens and a business worth ¥2.8 billion.[6]
Shiraoi has four annual festivals:[8]
Elementary schools:[1]
Middle Schools:[1]
Other Schools:[1]
Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line:
Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies:
Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways:
Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships:[10]
The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.[11]