Atsuma, Hokkaido

Atsuma (厚真町, Atsuma-chō) is a town located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. In March 2017, the town had an estimated population of 4,659, and a density of 12 persons per km². The total area is 404.56 km². The annual town festival is in mid-July, and is called "Inaka Matsuri" or "Country Festival". It is a two-day affair that starts in the main section of town with a parade featuring the Atsuma Dance and continuing the next day with performances at the Atsuma Dam.

Atsuma 厚真町
Town
Flag Emblem
Location of Atsuma in Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
Atsuma Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°43′25″N 141°52′40″E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
District	Yūfutsu
Area
• Total	404.56 km2 (156.20 sq mi)
Population  (March 31, 2017)
• Total	4,659
• Density	11.52/km2 (29.83/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
Climate	Dfb
Website	www.town.atsuma.lg.jp

There is a surfing beach nearby where the annual "Hama Matsuri" or "Beach Festival" in early-August.

Geography

Atsuma has several rivers of which the most prominent is the Atsuma River. It is dammed in the northern area of town and continues down through the center of town and empties into the ocean near the ferry terminal and the Tomato-Atsuma Power Station.

Neighbouring municipalities

• Abira
• Mukawa
• Tomakomai
• Yūbari
• Yuni

Climate

Climate data for Atsuma (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	7.9 (46.2)	9.7 (49.5)	16.6 (61.9)	23.9 (75.0)	30.1 (86.2)	30.8 (87.4)	34.1 (93.4)	34.1 (93.4)	31.2 (88.2)	24.6 (76.3)	19.4 (66.9)	13.7 (56.7)	34.1 (93.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−0.8 (30.6)	−0.1 (31.8)	4.0 (39.2)	11.0 (51.8)	16.6 (61.9)	20.1 (68.2)	23.4 (74.1)	25.1 (77.2)	22.3 (72.1)	16.1 (61.0)	8.6 (47.5)	1.5 (34.7)	12.3 (54.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−6.7 (19.9)	−5.9 (21.4)	−0.9 (30.4)	5.2 (41.4)	11.0 (51.8)	15.2 (59.4)	19.1 (66.4)	20.5 (68.9)	16.7 (62.1)	10.0 (50.0)	3.4 (38.1)	−3.7 (25.3)	7.0 (44.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−13.8 (7.2)	−13.3 (8.1)	−6.7 (19.9)	−0.6 (30.9)	5.6 (42.1)	11.1 (52.0)	15.7 (60.3)	16.7 (62.1)	11.5 (52.7)	4.2 (39.6)	−1.7 (28.9)	−9.6 (14.7)	1.6 (34.9)
Record low °C (°F)	−27.5 (−17.5)	−26.8 (−16.2)	−24.8 (−12.6)	−15.3 (4.5)	−3.1 (26.4)	1.7 (35.1)	6.8 (44.2)	7.0 (44.6)	0.2 (32.4)	−4.1 (24.6)	−14.9 (5.2)	−23.8 (−10.8)	−27.5 (−17.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	40.5 (1.59)	32.8 (1.29)	48.6 (1.91)	68.5 (2.70)	97.1 (3.82)	84.3 (3.32)	123.6 (4.87)	166.5 (6.56)	134.4 (5.29)	95.2 (3.75)	80.0 (3.15)	57.0 (2.24)	1,028.4 (40.49)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	10.3	9.0	10.0	10.9	11.1	8.9	10.5	11.7	11.1	10.7	11.9	10.7	126.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours	138.9	132.9	163.9	167.7	182.5	146.5	118.8	138.2	158.1	153.9	119.8	113.7	1,735
Source: JMA[1][2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,^[3] the population of Atsuma has declined over the past half-century.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1970	7,916	—
1980	6,817	−13.9%
1990	6,183	−9.3%
2000	5,438	−12.0%
2010	4,890	−10.1%
2020	4,432	−9.4%

History

In the middle of the 12th century, Northern Fujiwara supposedly had its trading post in Atsuma.^[4]

On 6 September 2018, Atsuma was the town hardest hit by the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake. It caused landslides that killed several of the town's residents when their homes were buried.^[5] A revitalization effort organized by the town since 2018 has attracted new residents, leading to an increase of the town's population.^[6]

Education

Atsuma currently has a high school, called the Hokkaido Atsuma High School (北海道厚真高等学校, Hokkaidō Atsuma Kōtōgakkō). The town also has two junior high schools and two elementary schools.

Transportation

Railway

• JR Hokkaido
  • Hidaka Main Line: Hama-Atsuma

Highways

• Hidaka Expressway
• National Route 235

Seaport

• Tomakomai East Port Shubun Ferry terminal (A Shin Nihonkai Ferry operates two ferries daily)