Shiraoi, Hokkaido

Shiraoi, Hokkaido
is a town located in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 17,759. It 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.
History
Shiraoi, like the rest of Hokkaido, was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means Rainbows in the Ainu language. Other sources state that the name comes from Shiraunai meaning Horse-flies.
In 1867, the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on . 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 erupted, and in 1881, the Emperor Meiji visited.
Geography
The total area is . The town is East to West and North to South. 82% of this area is forested.
Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include:
Shadai River
Shiraoi River
Shikyu River
Betsubetsu River
Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also in the area.
Climate
Shiraoi has an oceanic climate, mild when compared to the rest of Hokkaido. The annual temperature ranges between the extremes of and . The average annual temperature is . Shiraoi receives of precipitation annually. This only results in of snow annually. In a typical year, the snow lingers for 80 days. Accumulated snow rarely exceeding . Wind velocity averages merely , that is less than half of the neighboring Tomakomai and Muroran.
Demographics
Shiraoi has a density of 42 persons per km2.
Economy
In the 1930s, Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms, such as Shiitake, and mullet roe (or karasumi) at Kojohama. Shiraoi imported the knowledge of mullet roe production from Iwanai.
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 the middle of July until the middle of August.
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.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
Shiraoi has four annual festivals:
Shiraoi Dosanko Winter Festival — early February
Shiraoi Beef Festival — early June
Shiraoi Port Festival — early August
Shiraoi Cheipu Festival — early September
Museums and other points of interest
The Ainu Museum, commonly known as Poroto Kotan – A natural history museum depicting a traditional Ainu village. Performers show traditional crafts and dances like the iomante rimse.
Lake Kuttara
Inkura Falls
Mount Horohoro
Ayoro Beach
Kojohama hotsprings
Education
Elementary schools
Middle schools
Other schools
Infrastructure
Transportation
Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line:
Kojōhama
Takeura
Kita-yoshihara
Hagino
Shiraoi
Shadai
Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies:
Donan bus Co.,Ltd
Hokkaido Chuo Bus Co., ltd.
Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways:
Hokkaidō Expressway
Interchange at Shiraoi
Parking area at Hagino
National highways:
Japan National Route 36
Prefectural roads:
Hokkaidō Highway 86
Hokkaidō Highway 350
Hokkaidō Highway 388
Hokkaidō Highway 701
Hokkaidō Highway 1045
Sister cities
Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships:
Quesnel, Canada since 1981
Sendai, Japan since 1981
Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991
Sports
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.
Notable people from Shiraoi
Giichi Nomura, advocate and activist for the Ainu people
Hiromi Yamamoto, speed skater
References
External links
Official Website
The Ainu Museum Website
Towns in Hokkaido