is a town located in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 17,759. It was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.
History Shiraoi, like the rest of Hokkaido, was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means "rainbows" in the Ainu language. Other sources state that the name comes from Shiraunai meaning "horse-flies"., , pg 65.
In 1867, the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on . The following year the Boshin War caused Sendai to retreat from Shiraoi and return to Sendai proper. After the revolt was put down the government dismantled the fort in 1870.
The end of the 19th century saw expansion of the town. A road was established connecting Shiraoi with Muroran, Sapporo, and Hakodate in 1873. Nineteen years later, the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu were established. Two significant events occurred during this expansion: in 1874, Mount Tarumae erupted, and in 1881, the Emperor Meiji visited.
Geography The total area is . The town is East to West and North to South. 82% of this area is forested.
+ Land Use 2006 Use PercentageMountains and forest74Other9Plains and moor6Ranchland4Farmland2Housing2Mixed use2Wet lands1
Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include: Shadai River Shiraoi River Shikyu River Betsubetsu River
Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also in the area.
Climate Shiraoi has an oceanic climate, mild when compared to the rest of Hokkaido. The annual temperature ranges between the extremes of and . The average annual temperature is . Shiraoi receives of precipitation annually. This only results in of snow annually. In a typical year, the snow lingers for 80 days. Accumulated snow rarely exceeding . Wind velocity averages merely , that is less than half of the neighboring Tomakomai and Muroran.
Demographics Shiraoi has a density of 42 persons per km2. + Historic Population Year Households Population189984836591919988490619201906631219251348 6849
Economy In the 1930s, Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms, such as Shiitake, and mullet roe (or karasumi) at Kojohama. Shiraoi imported the knowledge of mullet roe production from Iwanai.
Shiraoi has been involved in the harvest of marine products such as the Horsehair crab and konbu. Because of dwindling resources, harvesting of hair crab has been reduced to a test operation from the middle of July until the middle of August.
Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966, Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens, and a business worth ¥2.8 billion.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events Shiraoi has four annual festivals: Shiraoi Dosanko Winter Festival — early February Shiraoi Beef Festival — early June Shiraoi Port Festival — early August Shiraoi Cheipu Festival — early September
Museums and other points of interest
The National Ainu Museum, commonly known as Poroto Kotan – A natural history museum depicting a traditional Ainu village. Performers show traditional crafts and dances like the iomante rimse. Ayoro Beach Inkura Falls Kojohama hotsprings Lake Kuttara Mount Horohoro
Education Elementary schools Source:
– Closed in 2016 – Closed in 2016 – Merged in 2016 with Shadai, and Midorigaoka.
Middle schools Source:
– Closed in 2013, now site of Hakusho Middle School
– Closed in 2013 – Closed in 2013
Other schools
Infrastructure
Transportation Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line: Kojōhama Takeura Kita-yoshihara Hagino Shiraoi Shadai
Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies: Donan bus Co., Ltd Hokkaido Chuo Bus Co., Ltd.
Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways: Hokkaidō Expressway Interchange at Shiraoi Parking area at Hagino National highways: Japan National Route 36 Prefectural roads: Hokkaidō Highway 86 Hokkaidō Highway 350 Hokkaidō Highway 388 Hokkaidō Highway 701 Hokkaidō Highway 1045
Sister cities Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships: Quesnel, Canada since 1981 Sendai, Japan since 1981 Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991
Sports The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.
Notable people from Shiraoi Giichi Nomura, advocate and activist for the Ainu people Hiromi Yamamoto, speed skater
References
External links
Official Website The Ainu Museum Website