Abashiri, Hokkaido
Abashiri 網走市 | ||
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City | ||
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![]() Location of Abashiri in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture) | ||
![]() ![]() Abashiri Location in Japan | ||
Coordinates: 44°1′N 144°16′E / 44.017°N 144.267°ECoordinates: 44°1′N 144°16′E / 44.017°N 144.267°E | ||
Country | Japan | |
Region | Hokkaido | |
Prefecture | Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture) | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Yōichi Mizutani (since December 2010) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 470.94 km2 (181.83 sq mi) | |
Population (August 31, 2011) | ||
• Total | 38,966 | |
• Density | 85.6/km2 (222/sq mi) | |
Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
Symbols | ||
- Tree | Katsura | |
- Flower | Ezo Murasaki Tsutsuji (Rhododendron dauricum) | |
Address |
Higashi Yon-chōme, Minami Roku-jō, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaidō 093-8555 | |
Phone number | 0152-44-6111 | |
Website |
www |
Abashiri (網走市 Abashiri-shi) is a city located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
Abashiri is known as the site of the Abashiri Prison, a Meiji-era facility used for the incarceration of political prisoners. The old prison has been turned into a museum, but the city's new maximum security prison is still in use.
As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 40,333 and a population density of 85.6 persons per km² (222 persons per sq. mi.). The total area is 470.94 km2 (181.83 sq mi).
Abashiri is located in the eastern part of Abashiri Subprefecture, about 50 kilometers east of Kitami. There are no tall mountains, but there are many hills. The Abashiri River flows through the city and there are three lakes (Lake Abashiri, Lake Notori and Lake Tōfutsu) in the city as well. In the winter, tourists visit the city to watch the drift ice.
Abashiri's sister city is Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada. Each year many students participate in student exchange programs between the two cities.
Abashiri is an important local port city and railroad terminal (Abashiri Station). Memanbetsu Airport is located in nearby Ōzora.
History
- March, 1872 Abashiri Village (アバシリ村) founded, being given the name of Abashiri District in Kitami Province.
- 1875 The kanji (網走村) given to Abashiri Village.
- 1902 Abashiri Village, Kitami Town, Isani Village, and Nikuribake Village, all in Abashiri District, merge to form Abashiri Town.
- 1915 Notoro Village, Mokoto Village merged.
- 1921 Memanbetsu Village (later Memanbetsu Town, merged into Ōzora in 2006) split.
- 1931 Boundary with Memanbetsu Town modified.
- February 11, 1947 Higashimokoto Village (merged into Ōzora in 2006) split. Abashiri Town becomes Abashiri City. All of the territory of Ōzora used to be a part of Abashiri.
Economy
Because of its short 130-day growing season, the crops in the region, such as oats, potatoes, and beans, are required to be hardy. Hay is also grown for local cows, horses, and sheep.[1] The sea is an important part of the community as well as the economy, as fishing, oysters, and seaweed are important means of livelihood.[1]
Education
Universities
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Okhotsk campus
High schools
- Hokkaido Abashiri Minamigaoka High School
Climate
Despite its reputation for extreme cold, Abashiri is not actually the coldest major town in Japan, being less cold in the winter than Obihiro and warmer in summer than Nemuro or Kushiro. Abashiri receives less precipitation than any other city in Japan because its location on the drift-ice-affected Sea of Okhotsk,[2] which, however, causes Abashiri to receive less sunshine than the northeast coast since winter snowfall is heavier and fog less confined to the summer months when the Oyashio Current is strongest. During the winter, when Lake Abashiri freezes over, fog becomes a common occurrence.[1] Also, the harbor closes when it ices over.
Climate data for Abashiri (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | −2.4 (27.7) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
1.6 (34.9) |
8.9 (48) |
14.2 (57.6) |
17.2 (63) |
20.8 (69.4) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
14.8 (58.6) |
7.4 (45.3) |
0.7 (33.3) |
10.4 (50.6) |
Average low °C (°F) | −9.4 (15.1) |
−10.1 (13.8) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
0.4 (32.7) |
5.4 (41.7) |
9.8 (49.6) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.6 (61.9) |
12.9 (55.2) |
6.6 (43.9) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
2.9 (37.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 54.5 (2.146) |
36.0 (1.417) |
43.5 (1.713) |
52.1 (2.051) |
61.6 (2.425) |
53.5 (2.106) |
87.4 (3.441) |
101.0 (3.976) |
108.2 (4.26) |
70.3 (2.768) |
60.0 (2.362) |
59.4 (2.339) |
787.5 (31.004) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 105 (41.3) |
81 (31.9) |
66 (26) |
21 (8.3) |
1 (0.4) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (0.4) |
18 (7.1) |
85 (33.5) |
378 (148.9) |
Avg. snowy days | 27.0 | 24.1 | 22.3 | 11.2 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.4 | 12.5 | 23.4 | 124.3 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 74 | 72 | 69 | 73 | 80 | 83 | 81 | 77 | 70 | 68 | 70 | 74.2 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 114.3 | 139.4 | 172.4 | 177.8 | 189.0 | 174.0 | 168.7 | 172.1 | 165.2 | 160.1 | 121.3 | 115.0 | 1,869.3 |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency |
Abashiri sights
Hokkaido has a brewery called Abashiri which sells a range of beers,[3][4] including Bilk, a blend of beer and milk.[5] Abashiri is also home to a flower garden with a wide range of flowers.[1]
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Abashiri Prison
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Drift ice off Abashiri
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Abashiri drift ice sightseeing & icebreaker ship Aurora II
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kojima, Reikichi (1997). "Abashiri". In Johnston, Bernard. Collier's Encyclopedia. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. p. 7.
- ↑ http://www.climate-charts.com/Countries/Japan.html
- ↑ "Abashiri Beer - RateBeer". ratebeer.com. 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ↑ "北海道 網走地ビール の網走ビール株式会社|トップページ". www.takahasi.co.jp. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
- ↑ "Milk + Beer = Bilk". Japan Probe. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abashiri, Hokkaido. |
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Abashiri. |
- Official website (Japanese)
- Abashiri Museum Official website
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