# Rankoshi, Hokkaido

Rankoshi (蘭越町, Rankoshi-chō) is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 4,893, and a density of 11 persons per km$^2$. The total area is 449.68 km$^2$.

## Geography

Shiribetsu River flows through Rankoshi to the Sea of Japan. The town is surrounded by Niseko Volcanic Group, which belongs to Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park.
The name is derived from Ainu word "Ranko-usi", meaning "Place with many Katsura trees".
* Mountains: Mount Raiden, Mount Mekunnai, Mount Chisenupuri, Mount Nitonupuri

### Neighboring towns

* Iburi Subprefecture
** Toyoura
* Shiribeshi Subprefecture
** Iwanai
** Kuromatsunai
** Kutchan
** Niseko
** Suttsu

### Climate

Climate data for Rankoshi (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.7 (47.7) | 9.7 (49.5) | 15.0 (59.0) | 25.2 (77.4) | 33.1 (91.6) | 32.7 (90.9) | 33.7 (92.7) | 35.4 (95.7) | 32.1 (89.8) | 25.9 (78.6) | 20.7 (69.3) | 13.6 (56.5) | 35.4 (95.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) | 0.0 (32.0) | 3.9 (39.0) | 10.6 (51.1) | 17.3 (63.1) | 21.3 (70.3) | 24.7 (76.5) | 25.9 (78.6) | 22.4 (72.3) | 15.8 (60.4) | 7.9 (46.2) | 1.2 (34.2) | 12.5 (54.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.2 (24.4) | −3.7 (25.3) | −0.2 (31.6) | 5.4 (41.7) | 11.4 (52.5) | 15.9 (60.6) | 19.9 (67.8) | 20.9 (69.6) | 16.8 (62.2) | 10.1 (50.2) | 3.6 (38.5) | −2.1 (28.2) | 7.8 (46.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.2 (17.2) | −8.1 (17.4) | −4.8 (23.4) | 0.0 (32.0) | 5.7 (42.3) | 11.4 (52.5) | 16.1 (61.0) | 16.8 (62.2) | 11.7 (53.1) | 4.8 (40.6) | −0.5 (31.1) | −5.6 (21.9) | 3.3 (37.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −24.7 (−12.5) | −24.1 (−11.4) | −19.2 (−2.6) | −10.5 (13.1) | −2.6 (27.3) | 2.0 (35.6) | 5.5 (41.9) | 7.5 (45.5) | 1.3 (34.3) | −3.9 (25.0) | −11.9 (10.6) | −20.3 (−4.5) | −24.7 (−12.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 104.2 (4.10) | 79.6 (3.13) | 59.2 (2.33) | 61.0 (2.40) | 74.1 (2.92) | 64.1 (2.52) | 104.2 (4.10) | 142.2 (5.60) | 142.9 (5.63) | 120.9 (4.76) | 137.2 (5.40) | 125.9 (4.96) | 1,220.4 (48.05) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 213 (84) | 169 (67) | 107 (42) | 13 (5.1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 53 (21) | 194 (76) | 746 (294) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 21.2 | 17.5 | 13.8 | 10.3 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 11.7 | 14.3 | 18.3 | 21.8 | 165 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) | 21.0 | 18.1 | 13.7 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.8 | 19.4 | 80 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 33.3 | 48.2 | 99.5 | 164.9 | 196.4 | 160.6 | 131.4 | 142.9 | 148.7 | 122.7 | 63.2 | 26.4 | 1,338 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency ||||||||||||||

## History

* 1909: Minamishiribeshi became a Second Class Village.
* 1940: Minamishiribeshi became a First Class Village.
* 1954: Minamishiribeshi Village became Rankoshi Town.
* 1955: A part of Suttsu Town was merged into Rankoshi Town.

## Education

* High school
** Hokkaido Rankoshi High School
* Junior high school
** Rankoshi Junior High School
* Elementary schools
** Kombu Elementary School
** Rankoshi Elementary School

## Transportation

* Hakodate Main Line: Mena - Rankoshi - Konbu
* Route 5

## Sister city

* Saalfelden, Salzburg, Austria (since 1967)