Shibetsu
Shibetsu (士別市, Shibetsu-shi, Ainu: シペㇳ Sipet) is a city located in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
As of September 2016, the city has an estimated population of 19,794 and the density of 18 persons per km. The total area is 1119.29 km.
On September 1, 2005, the town of Asahi was merged into Shibetsu.
History
- 1899: The last tondenhei village was founded in Shibetsu.
- 1902: Shibetsu village became a second class village.
- 1915: The village became Shibetsu town.
- 1954: Shibetsu town, Kamishibetsu village, Tayoro village, and Onneppu village were merged to form Shibetsu city.
- 2005: Asahi town was merged into Shibetsu city.
Geography
Shibetsu is located N of Asahikawa and NNE of Sapporo. It is situated by the Shibetsu River in the north and its valley. The name comes from the Ainu word for "great river".
Climate
Climate data for Shibetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
13.6 (56.5) |
25.8 (78.4) |
32.8 (91.0) |
36.3 (97.3) |
36.2 (97.2) |
37.0 (98.6) |
31.8 (89.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
19.9 (67.8) |
11.1 (52.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −4.3 (24.3) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
1.9 (35.4) |
9.5 (49.1) |
17.5 (63.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.6 (78.1) |
21.2 (70.2) |
14.1 (57.4) |
5.4 (41.7) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
11.1 (52.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −8.5 (16.7) |
−7.7 (18.1) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
4.2 (39.6) |
11.2 (52.2) |
15.8 (60.4) |
19.7 (67.5) |
20.1 (68.2) |
15.5 (59.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
6.1 (42.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −14.5 (5.9) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−8.5 (16.7) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
5.2 (41.4) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.0 (59.0) |
15.7 (60.3) |
10.6 (51.1) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
0.9 (33.7) |
Record low °C (°F) | −35.1 (−31.2) |
−34.2 (−29.6) |
−28.9 (−20.0) |
−13.0 (8.6) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
0.4 (32.7) |
4.6 (40.3) |
4.5 (40.1) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−6.4 (20.5) |
−20.4 (−4.7) |
−29.0 (−20.2) |
−35.1 (−31.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 64.2 (2.53) |
49.2 (1.94) |
52.2 (2.06) |
46.7 (1.84) |
62.9 (2.48) |
66.3 (2.61) |
130.5 (5.14) |
152.3 (6.00) |
148.8 (5.86) |
116.0 (4.57) |
125.7 (4.95) |
102.3 (4.03) |
1,117.6 (44.00) |
Average rainy days | 17.4 | 14.6 | 14.7 | 10.8 | 10.7 | 10.0 | 11.7 | 12.3 | 13.9 | 15.8 | 19.7 | 21.5 | 173.1 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 47.6 | 75.0 | 117.2 | 159.3 | 189.8 | 168.4 | 162.6 | 152.2 | 147.2 | 114.6 | 48.0 | 31.8 | 1,410.1 |
Source 1: JMA | |||||||||||||
Source 2: JMA |
Transportation
Rail
Road
Shibetsu is accessed by the Hokkaidō Expressway. The Shibetsu-Kenbuchi Interchange opened on October 4, 2003, connecting the expressway with Route 40. The bypass is not yet planned.
Culture
Mascots
Shibetsu's mascots are Sahocchi (さほっち), Mei-chan (メイちゃん), Mi-chan (みーちゃん) and Janpun (ジャンプん).
- Sahocchi, whose real name is Kurosuke Hitsujida (羊田 黒助), is a cheerful and friendly ram. His birthday is July 1. On 24 August 2014, he married Mei-chan at Tsukumosuigo Park.
- Mei-chan, whose real name is Mei Hitsujida (羊田 メイ), is a shy yet kind, kind, cheerful and energetic ewe. Her birthday is May 5.
- Mi-chan, whose real name is Miu Hitsujida (羊田 未生), is a lamb who is the daughter of Sahocchi and Mei-chan. She was born on 1 January 2015.
- Janpun is a farmer boy from Asahi who loves to ski jump. He assists the Asahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Club. Sahocchi, Mei-chan and Mi-chan depend on him for any advice.
Education
High schools
- Hokkaido Shibetsu Shoun High School
- Hokkaido Shibetsu Higashi High School
Sister cities and friendship cities
Sister city
Friendship city
References
External links
- Media related to Shibetsu at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website (in Japanese)