Takinoue, Hokkaido

Etymology

In the Ainu language, the Takinoue area is called Ponkamuikotan which roughly translates to "Village of the Small Gods." The name Takinoue, which literally means "Above the Waterfall," originates from the first Japanese settlers who founded the city upstream from a waterfall.

Economy

Takinoue's key industries are forestry, dairy farming, and dry-crop farming.

Takinoue is famous for its mint production and produces 95% of the mint available in Japan. Currently there is about 10 hectares (25 acres) of land dedicated to mint farming.

Agriculture

• Okhotsk Hamanasu Agricultural Cooperative, Takinoue Branch

Banking institutions

• Kitami Credit Union, Takinoue Branch

Postal services

• Takinoue Post Office (Japan Postal Service Center distribution point)
• Nigorikawa Post Office
• Takinishi Post Office

Police

• Takinoue Police Department (a sub-station of Monbetsu Police Department)

Geography

Takinoue is surrounded on three sides by mountains. It shares the fourth side with Monbetsu City.

• Mountains: Mt. Wenshiri (1,142m / 0.71 mi); Mt. Kitami-Fuji (1,306m / 0.81 mi); Mt. Teshio (1,558m / 0.97 mi)
• Major Rivers: Shokotsu River; Sakuru River; Oshiraneppu River

Climate

| Jan record high C = 7.7 | Feb record high C = 14.2 | Mar record high C = 16.8 | Apr record high C = 28.5 | May record high C = 34.0 | Jun record high C = 34.8 | Jul record high C = 36.5 | Aug record high C = 37.7 | Sep record high C = 32.1 | Oct record high C = 27.2 | Nov record high C = 22.1 | Dec record high C = 14.6 | Jan record low C = -32.2 | Feb record low C = -35.2 | Mar record low C = -31.4 | Apr record low C = -16.7 | May record low C = -6.5 | Jun record low C = -2.3 | Jul record low C = 2.3 | Aug record low C = 2.9 | Sep record low C = -1.2 | Oct record low C = -7.6 | Nov record low C = -20.1 | Dec record low C = -28.7 |script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値） | access-date = February 27, 2022}}{{cite web |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） | access-date = February 27, 2022}}

History

• 1918 - Takinoue Village splits from Shokotsu Village and becomes a second-class municipality under the Monbetsu District.
• 1947 - Takinoue Village becomes Takinoue Town.
• The National Land Agency awards Takinoue 2nd place in the nation for quality of farmed products.{{cite web | access-date = March 28, 2012 | archive-date = November 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191112052350/http://www.maff.go.jp/j/nousin/noukei/binosato/b_amenity/index.html | url-status = dead

Sister cities

Takinoue is twinned with Ochi Town in Kōchi Prefecture.

Education

High schools

• Hokkaido Takinoue High School - closed 2019

Junior high schools

• Takinoue Junior High School

Elementary schools

• Nigorikawa Elementary School
• Shiratori Elementary School- closed 2013
• Takinishi Elementary School- closed 2014
• Takinoue Elementary School

Transportation

Airports

• Asahikawa Airport
• Monbetsu Airport

Rail

Takinoue has no rail services.

Bus

• Hokkaido Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, and Dohoku Bus lines run from Takinoue to Asahikawa and Sapporo
• Hokumon Bus - Local routes run from Takinoue to Monbetsu

Roads

National Highways

Prefectural Highways

• Hokkaidō Route 61 (Shibetsu - Takinoue)
• Hokkaidō Route 137 (Engaru - Takinoue)
• Hokkaidō Route 617 (Oshiraneppu - Nigorikawa)
• Hokkaidō Route 828 (Shiratori - Takinoue)
• Hokkaidō Route 932 (Kamishokotsu - Takinoue)
• Hokkaidō Route 996 (Kamishokotsu - Takinoue)

Sightseeing

• Karinosato Herb Garden
• Kinsenkyo Gorge Walking Path
• Takinoue Park (Shibazakura)
• Ukushima Wetlands
• Yoshokuen Botanical Garden

Attractions

Takinoue Park is famous for Shibazakura or Pink Moss. The 10,000 m² park attracts thousands of visitors every year between May and June when the flowers are in full bloom.

Festivals

• Shibazakura Festival (May - June)
• Summer Festival of Love (mid August)

Mascot

Takinoue's mascot is Pikoro. She is a sakura fairy. Using her sakura wand, she can grant anyone wishes. She is also known to make music. She is unveiled in 1991.

References

References

1. "シンボルキャラクター「ピコロ」".