Kitahiroshima (北広島市, Kitahiroshima-shi) is a city located in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. The city's name has a literal meaning of "North Hiroshima City".
As of July 31, 2023, the city had an estimated population of 57,019, with 27,221 households, and a density of 479 persons per km². The total area is 119.05 square kilometres (45.97 sq mi).
History
On September 1, 1996, Hiroshima Town was upgraded to be classified as a city, but as the city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture already existed, the municipality was renamed to Kitahiroshima to prevent two cities having the same name.
1884: 25 families, 107 people migrated from Hiroshima.
1894: Hiroshima Village was founded.
1968: Hiroshima Village was renamed to Hiroshima Town.
1996: Hiroshima Town gained city status and was renamed Kitahiroshima.
It is accessed by routes 36, 274 and the expressway interchange in the west. In 1981, the bypass of route 274 was opened and the bypass of route 36 was opened in 1986. The urban sprawl of the Sapporo area in the western part of the city is bypassed.
The Sapporo-Eniwa Cycle Road follows the route of the decommissioned Chitose Railway Line from Sapporo City to Kitahiroshima, making it suitable for recreational and professional cyclists alike.
Near the Kitahiroshima Classe Hotel, tennis and golf are popular summer activities, while skiing and tobogganing is available in the winter months.
Mascot
Maippy, the city's mascot
Kitahiroshima's mascot is Maippy (まいピー, Maipī) is a 10-year-old energetic rice. She is from Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima (it is the same place where rice farmer Kuzo Nakayama studied the science of cold rice). As a result, she can communicate with not just the ghost of Kuzo Nakayama's but also the ghosts of other people. She is the mascot of the Kitahiroshima City Society of Commerce and Industry. However, as a result of her getting a resident card, she became the mascot of the whole city as a whole. She likes running on Elfin Road while researching nature. Though sporty, she does not have fast reflexes. Her hair is her charm point. As red is her favourite colour, she collects red ribbons. She has a sweet tooth, and her favourite sweet is strawberry cream puff.
