Shihoro, Hokkaido

Geography

Shihoro is located in southeastern Hokkaido the northern Tokachi Sunprefecture. Half of the town's area is flat, sloping gently southward. The Otofuke River flows through the center of the town, as well as the Wop River and Pankechin River. The eastern side of the town is the hilly region of Sakurayama, and across the Ibe River basin, the Oshitai plateau forms the border with Honbetsu.

Neighboring municipalities

• Shikaoi
• Otofuke
• Kamishihoro
• Ikeda
• Honbetsu

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Shihoro has a humid continental climate. It has large temperature differences, including large annual and daily temperature ranges. The town is located at an altitude of 146 to 420 meters, with an average annual temperature of 7°C. In winter, the southwesterly seasonal winds are strong, causing temperatures to drop below -20°C.

Demographics

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

| 1970 | 7,567 | 1980 | 6,979 | 1990 | 7,149 | 2000 | 6,839 | 2010 | 6,418 | 2020 | 5,848

History

The development of Tokachi Province began to get underway in 1886, but settlement in present-day Shihoro did not begin until 1898. That year, a group of 43 households from tGifu Prefecture began developing the land. In 1921 parts of Otofuke Village separated to become Kawakami Village, which was renamed Shihoro Village in 1926. Shihoro was raised to town status in 1962.

Government

Shihoro has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Shihoro, 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 town's main industry is agriculture, with large-scale facilities such as a starch factory, a wheat drying and storage facility, and a potato processing facility, all affiliated with the Shihoro Town Agricultural Cooperative (JA Shihoro Town). The town also has facilities related to the production and processing of agricultural and livestock products.

Education

Shihoro has three 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

Shihoro has not had any passenger railway services since the discontinuation of the Shihoro Line in 1987. The nearest train station is Obihiro Station on the JR Hokkaido Nemuro Main Line.

Highways

Local attractions

• Shihoro Town Traditional Agriculture Preservation and Transmission Museum, Mino House
• Shihoro Onsen Plaza Midorikaze (Roadside Station Shihoro Onsen)

Michinoeki Shihoroonsen.jpg|Shihoro onsen 十勝川と豊頃大橋 ( Tokachi River and Toyokoro Bridge) - panoramio.jpg|Tokachi River and Toyokoro Bridge 東ヌプカウシヌプリ.jpg|Higashinupukaushinupuri seen from the ESE. 十勝・むぎ.jpg|Wheat fields in Shihoro

Mascot

Shihoro's mascot is Daichi-kun. He is a joyful and dynamic blue alien. He is shaped like a "shi" (士). His gooey body contains a pink heart representing love, a yellow star for hope and dreams, a white mountain symbolizing the Nupukaushi-nupuri mountain range and a green tree representing nature. Enthusiasm and harmonious development is his goal. In other versions, he is depicted as a young human boy.

References

References

1. "Shihoro Town official statistics".
2. "Population and number of households based on the Basic Resident Register".
3. "Shihoro Town Assembly home page".
4. "Shihoro Town Board of Education".
5. "士幌町イメージキャラクター「大地くん」使用ガイドライン".
6. "だいちくんポイントカードについて".