Furubira, Hokkaido

Furubira (古平町, Furubira-chō) is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had an estimated population of 3,265, and a density of 17 persons per km². The total area is 188.41 square kilometres (72.75 sq mi).^[1][2]

Furubira 古平町
Town
Furubira Town hall
Flag Emblem
Location of Furubira in Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Furubira Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°16′N 140°38′E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
District	Furubira
Government
• Mayor	Junji Homma
Area
• Total	188.41 km2 (72.75 sq mi)
Population  (30 September 2016)
• Total	3,265
• Density	17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address	40-4 Hama-machi, Furubira, Furubira-gun, Hokkaido 046-0192
Website	www.town.furubira.lg.jp

Geography

Furubira occupies the eastern end of the north coast of the Shakotan Peninsula facing the Sea of Japan. The town is largely built around the Furubira River, which runs from the highlands of the Shakotan Peninsula into the sea.^[1]

Neighboring municipalities

• Kamoenai
• Niki
• Shakotan
• Tomari
• Yoichi

History

Furubira was established as one of many Pacific herring fishing settlements in the region at the beginning of the Edo period (1603 – 1868). The town was formally incorporated in 1902.^[1]

Economy

Manganese was once mined at the head of the Furubira River; mining ceased in the town in 1984. The mine was located at Inakuraishi.

The Port of Furubira, located near Cape Maruyama, is an active fishing port. Shrimp, Alaska pollack, and saltwater clams are a mainstay of the economy. The Furubira River provides irrigation for the production of rice, potatoes, and soybeans. Beef, pork, and poultry are also raised in the town.^[1]

Education

Hokkaido Furubira High School closed in 2012.

• Furubira Elementary School
• Furubira Junior High School