Memanbetsu, Hokkaido

Memanbetsu was a town located in Abashiri District, Abashiri Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 5,925 and a population density of 37.26 persons per km². The total area was 159.02 km².
On March 31, 2006, Memanbetsu was merged with the village of Higashimokoto to create the new town of Ōzora.
Memanbetsu's name was derived from the Ainu "Memanpet" meaning "River with a spring"

Transportation

In the area of the former town, Hokkaido Railway Company operates two stations along the Sekihoku Line:

Both are named after the former town.
Memanbetsu Airport is named after the former town.

1890 – Establishment of timber harvesting for the purpose of supplying the match manufacturing industry
1898 – Agriculture begins, bringing the first extensive settlement of the area
1912 – With the opening of Memambetsu station on the new railway line between Kitami and Abashiri large numbers of settlers begin arriving and a small village begins to develop
April 1921 – Memanbetsu is administratively separated from Abashiri City and accorded official village status
April 1951 – Memanbetsu is accorded official town status
31 March 2006 – Memanbetsu Town is merged with Higashimokoto Village to form the new town of Ōzora