Abashiri


Abashiri 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. The total area is.
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Etymology

There are various theories about the origin of the name 'Abashiri' and, because of that, the origin is unknown. All of those theories are based on the Kanji interpretation of the Ainu language. These are the following theories.Apasiri which is translated as "leaking ground". The reason behind this is that there was a cave, and water drops were falling inside like raindrops.Cipasiri. The name is based on an Ainu legend of a bird.Chipasiri . There used to be a white rock in the shape of a person wearing a hat on the south bank of Lake Abashiri, and it is said that the Ainu worshiped it.

History

The origin of the city's name is not known for certain, but it is agreed that it was derived from an Ainu word. A few among several of the candidates include apa-siri and ci-pa-sir.
Following the 1945 Soviet invasion of South Sakhalin, Abashiri saw the resettlement of several Nivkh and Orok families from Karafuto; among them was Chiyo Nakamura, a Nivkh shaman from Poronaisk. By 2004, the Nivkh-Orok community in Abashiri had apparently vanished.

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 in the city as well. These lakes and Mount Tento belong to Abashiri Quasi-National Park.

Climate

The climate is humid continental with warm summer as much of Hokkaido, similar to the south coast of New England. 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, 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. Also, the harbor closes when it ices over.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Abashiri has declined in recent decades.

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

Transportation

Air

Memanbetsu Airport is located in nearby Ōzora.

Rail

Abashiri is an important local port city and railway terminal.

Education

Universities

High schools

Sister cities

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

Sights

Hokkaido has a brewery called Abashiri which sells a range of beers, including Bilk, a blend of beer and milk. Abashiri is also home to a flower garden with a wide range of flowers.
In the winter, tourists visit the city to watch the drift ice.

Museums

  • Okhost Ryuhyo Museum

Culture

Mascot

Abashiri's mascot is Nipone. She is a plankton who has the ability to gain flight with her cape. Her job is to protect everyone from criminal activities, outbreak of warfare, natural disasters, health crisis or anything that pose a risk to everyone's lives. She usually rests with her "nipopo" helmet and loves ingredients produced from the city. Her birthday is November 22, 2012.