Country Japan Population 38,966 (31 Aug 2011) | Region Hokkaido Local time Tuesday 2:33 PM | |
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Prefecture Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture) Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) City hall address Higashi Yon-chōme, Minami Roku-jō, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaidō
093-8555 Website www.city.abashiri.hokkaido.jp Weather 0°C, Wind E at 11 km/h, 54% Humidity Points of interest Lake Abashiri, Mount Tento, Abashiri Prison Museum, Okhotsk Ryūhyō Museum, Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseei | ||
Abashiri (網走市, Abashiri-shi) is a city located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
Contents
- Map of Abashiri Hokkaido Prefecture Japan
- History
- Geography
- Climate
- Economy
- Air
- Rail
- Universities
- High schools
- Sister city
- Abashiri sights
- Museums
- References
Map of Abashiri, Hokkaido Prefecture, 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 (222 persons per sq. mi.). The total area is 470.94 km2 (181.83 sq mi).
History
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 (Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro and Lake Tōfutsu) in the city as well. These lakes and Mount Tento belong to Abashiri Quasi-National Park.
Climate
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.
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.
Air
Memanbetsu Airport is located in nearby Ōzora.
Rail
Abashiri is an important local port city and railroad terminal (Abashiri Station).
Universities
High schools
Sister city
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada - Each year many students participate in student exchange programs between the two cities.
Abashiri 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.