Tōma, Hokkaido

Tōma
当麻町
Town

Location of Tōma in Hokkaido (Kamikawa Subprefecture)
Tōma

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 43°50′N 142°30′E / 43.833°N 142.500°ECoordinates: 43°50′N 142°30′E / 43.833°N 142.500°E
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Kamikawa Subprefecture)
District Kamikawa (Ishikari)
Area
  Total 204.95 km2 (79.13 sq mi)
Population (2008)
  Total 7,519
  Density 37/km2 (95/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website Official website

Tōma (当麻町 Tōma-chō) is a town located in Kamikawa (Ishikari) District, Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of approximately 7,519 and a density of 37 persons per km². The total area is 204.95 km².

Local specialties include densuke watermelons (でんすけスイカ) known throughout Japan, and imazuri mai rice, voted "Most Delicious Rice In Hokkaido 7 Years In A Row". Watermelon flavored soft serve ice cream, ramen noodles, senbei and more are available year round at the town's Roadside Station or Michi no Eki (道の駅), located on National Route 39.

In the late 90's, the town government embarked on a campaign to make Tohma the number one "sports town" in Japan. While bubble-era funding eventually dried up, a number of first rate sports facilities and tourist attractions are still in operation today. Among these are a campground, large children's obstacle course, tennis courts, soccer, baseball and softball fields, park golf course, ski slope (beginner level with 1 rope lift only) and sports center. In addition, the town is also home to the Papillion Chateau insect museum, the Tōma Shōnyūdō Limestone Cave (one of the few in Hokkaido), and Healthy Chateau, a medium-sized hot spring.

External links

Media related to Tōma, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons