Abashiri, Hokkaido

Abashiri
網走市
City

Flag

Location of Abashiri in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Abashiri

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 44°1′N 144°16′E / 44.017°N 144.267°E / 44.017; 144.267Coordinates: 44°1′N 144°16′E / 44.017°N 144.267°E / 44.017; 144.267
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)
Symbols
  Tree Katsura
  Flower Ezo murasaki-tsutsuji (Rhododendron dauricum)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address Higashi Yon-chōme, Minami Roku-jō, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaidō
093-8555
Website www.city.abashiri.hokkaido.jp

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 density of 85.6 persons per km² (222 persons per sq. mi.). The total area is 470.94 km2 (181.83 sq mi).

History

Geography

Abashiri is located in the eastern part of Okhotsk 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 Notoro and Lake Tōfutsu) in the city as well. These lakes and Mount Tento belong to Abashiri Quasi-National Park.

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,[1] 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.[2] Also, the harbor closes when it ices over.

Climate data for Abashiri (1981–2010)
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)
Average 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

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.[2] The sea is an important part of the community as well as the economy, as fishing, oysters, and seaweed are important means of livelihood.[2]

Transportation

Air

Memanbetsu Airport is located in nearby Ōzora.

Rail

Abashiri is an important local port city and railroad terminal (Abashiri Station).

Education

Universities

High schools

Sister city

Canada Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada - Each year many students participate in student exchange programs between the two cities.[3]

Abashiri sights

Hokkaido has a brewery called Abashiri which sells a range of beers,[4][5] including Bilk, a blend of beer and milk.[6] Abashiri is also home to a flower garden with a wide range of flowers.[2]

In the winter, tourists visit the city to watch the drift ice.

References

  1. http://www.climate-charts.com/Countries/Japan.html
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kojima, Reikichi (1997). "Abashiri". In Johnston, Bernard. Collier's Encyclopedia. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. p. 7.
  3. Sister city of Abashiri
  4. "Abashiri Beer - RateBeer". ratebeer.com. 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  5. "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.
  6. "Milk + Beer = Bilk". Japan Probe. Retrieved 2009-08-25.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abashiri, Hokkaido.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Abashiri.
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