Takinoue, Hokkaido

Takinoue (滝上町, Takinoue-chō) is a town located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 30, 2016, the town has an estimated population of 2,757 and a population density of 3.6 persons per km². The total area is 766.89 km².

Takinoue

滝上町
Town
Flag
Seal
Location of Takinoue in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Takinoue
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°12′N 143°5′E
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
DistrictMonbetsu
Area
 • Total766.89 km2 (296.10 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
 • Total2,757
 • Density3.6/km2 (9.3/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address4-2-1 Asahi-machi, Takinoue-cho, Monbetsu-gun, Hokkaido
099-5692
Websitewww.town.takinoue.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
FlowerShibazakura
TreeSakura
The Karinosato Michinoeki in Takinoue

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.

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

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.

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
Climate data for Takinoue
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −2
(28)		 −1
(30)		 3
(37)		 11
(52)		 17
(63)		 22
(72)		 25
(77)		 26
(79)		 22
(72)		 16
(61)		 8
(46)		 1
(34)		 12
(54)
Average low °C (°F) −10
(14)		 −10
(14)		 −5
(23)		 1
(34)		 6
(43)		 11
(52)		 16
(61)		 17
(63)		 12
(54)		 6
(43)		 0
(32)		 −7
(19)		 3
(38)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 128
(5.0)		 93
(3.7)		 64
(2.5)		 57
(2.2)		 96
(3.8)		 61
(2.4)		 113
(4.4)		 146
(5.7)		 136
(5.4)		 115
(4.5)		 118
(4.6)		 140
(5.5)		 1,267
(49.7)
Average precipitation days 25 21 21 19 16 13 15 14 15 19 24 26 228
Source: World Weather Online[1]

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.[2]

Economy

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

Sister cities

Takinoue is twinned with Ochi Town in Kōchi Prefecture.

Education

High schools
  • Hokkaido Takinoue High School

Junior high schools
  • Takinoue Junior High School

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

Transportation

Airports

Rail

Takinoue has no rail services.

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

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

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

References
  1. "Takinoue, Japan Weather Averages". World Weather Online. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  2. "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Farming Village Amenities Contest" (in Japanese). Retrieved March 28, 2012.
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