Hiroo, Hokkaido


[file:広尾町.JPG|thumb|right|270px|Panorama view of downtown Hiroo and Pacific Ocean, from Maruyama Park]
Hiroo is a town located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 5,742 in 3111 households, and a population density of 10 people per km2. The total area of the town is. Hiroo is recognized as the only place in Japan to be designated as a "Santa-Land" from the municipal government of Oslo, Norway.
WWW town.hiroo.hokkaido.jp

Geography

Hiroo is located in southern Hokkaido in the southernmost part of the Tokachi Subprefecture. The western part is mountainous and originates from the Hidaka Mountains, and is part of the Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park. The eastern part borders the Pacific Ocean.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Although cold for its latitude and coastal position, the humid continental climate of Hiroo is moderated by East Asian standards. Summers are cooled by the ocean and cloudy weather, whereas the influence of the Siberian landmass drops temperatures in winter. Due to the ice-free nature of the ocean, Hiroo stays narrowly above freezing during days, whereas nights regularly drop beneath.

Demographics

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

History

The area flourished from the Jomon period. A settlement of Ainu people existed along the southeast Hiroo River. It was part of Matsumae Domain in the Edo period and was on a road opened by the Tokugawa shogunate along the coast to Kushiro. It was the site of a jin'ya established to govern the entire Tokachi Province. During the Bakumatsu period in 1858, it was awarded to Sendai Domain, which relocated farmers, carpenters, and woodsmen to the area and began cultivating grain and vegetables. In 1906, the village of Moyori was established under the second-class town and village system. Its name was changed to Hiroo Village in 1926, and was elevated to town status in 1946.
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami resulted in a 2.8m tsunami striking Hiroo, causing over 1 billion yen in damage.

Government

Hiroo has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 13 members. Hiroo, as part of Tokachi Subprefecture, contributes four members to the Hokkaidō Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidō 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The main economic activities of Hiroo are commercial fishing, agriculture, and dairy farming. Tokachi Port is located here.

Education

Hiroo has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town. The town has one public high school operated by the Hokkaido Board of Education.

Transportation

Railways

Hiroo has not had any passenger railway services since the closure of the JR Hokkaido Hiroo Line in February 1987. The closest railway stations are Obihiro Station and Samani Station, each of which are two hours away by car or bus.

Highways

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Seaports

  • Port of Tokachi, located in Hiroo, is a major shipping port for the Tokachi area. Customs facilities opened at the port in 1999, and a Marubeni-led consortium opened Hokkaido's largest feed terminal facility at the port in 2010.

Sister city relations

Notable people from Hiroo

Mascots

Hiroo's mascots are Sata-chan and Tree-kun.
  • Sata-chan is supposed to be a granddaughter of Santa Claus. Her story is that she wants to become his successor. To do this, she must start practicing with the small town of Hiroo. She lives at Santaland. Her birthday is October 26th. Her character was unveiled in 2013 and became a town mascot on November 12, 2014. She was designed by a first grade student at Hiroo Elementary School.
  • Tree-kun is a Christmas tree. He was unveiled in 1995. His character joins Sata-chan to search for Bell-kun who has been missing for years. He resides in Daimaruyama Forest Park. As Sata-chan's assistant, he is in charge of collecting energy.