Rankoshi, Hokkaido

Rankoshi (蘭越町, Rankoshi-chō) is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Rankoshi 蘭越町
Town
Rankoshi Town Office
Flag Seal
Location of Rankoshi in Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Rankoshi Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°49′N 140°32′E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
District	Isoya
Government
• Mayor	Tomeo Miyauchi
Area
• Total	449.68 km2 (173.62 sq mi)
Population  (September 30, 2016)
• Total	4,893
• Density	11/km2 (28/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address	258-5 Rankoshicho, Rankoshi, Isoya-gun, Hokkaido 048-1392
Climate	Dfb
Website	www.town.rankoshi.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
Flower	Magnolia kobus
Mascot	Love-chan (らぶちゃん)
Tree	Magnolia kobus

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 4,893, and a density of 11 persons per km². The total area is 449.68 km².

Geography

Shiribetsu River flows through Rankoshi to the Sea of Japan. The town is surrounded by Niseko Volcanic Group, which belongs to Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park.

The name is derived from Ainu word "Ranko-usi", meaning "Place with many Katsura trees".^[1]

• Mountains: Mount Raiden, Mount Mekunnai, Mount Chisenupuri, Mount Nitonupuri

Neighboring towns

• Iburi Subprefecture
  • Toyoura
• Shiribeshi Subprefecture
  • Iwanai
  • Kuromatsunai
  • Kutchan
  • Niseko
  • Suttsu

Climate

Climate data for Rankoshi (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	8.7 (47.7)	9.7 (49.5)	15.0 (59.0)	25.2 (77.4)	33.1 (91.6)	32.7 (90.9)	33.7 (92.7)	35.4 (95.7)	32.1 (89.8)	25.9 (78.6)	20.7 (69.3)	13.6 (56.5)	35.4 (95.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−0.8 (30.6)	0.0 (32.0)	3.9 (39.0)	10.6 (51.1)	17.3 (63.1)	21.3 (70.3)	24.7 (76.5)	25.9 (78.6)	22.4 (72.3)	15.8 (60.4)	7.9 (46.2)	1.2 (34.2)	12.5 (54.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−4.2 (24.4)	−3.7 (25.3)	−0.2 (31.6)	5.4 (41.7)	11.4 (52.5)	15.9 (60.6)	19.9 (67.8)	20.9 (69.6)	16.8 (62.2)	10.1 (50.2)	3.6 (38.5)	−2.1 (28.2)	7.8 (46.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−8.2 (17.2)	−8.1 (17.4)	−4.8 (23.4)	0.0 (32.0)	5.7 (42.3)	11.4 (52.5)	16.1 (61.0)	16.8 (62.2)	11.7 (53.1)	4.8 (40.6)	−0.5 (31.1)	−5.6 (21.9)	3.3 (37.9)
Record low °C (°F)	−24.7 (−12.5)	−24.1 (−11.4)	−19.2 (−2.6)	−10.5 (13.1)	−2.6 (27.3)	2.0 (35.6)	5.5 (41.9)	7.5 (45.5)	1.3 (34.3)	−3.9 (25.0)	−11.9 (10.6)	−20.3 (−4.5)	−24.7 (−12.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	104.2 (4.10)	79.6 (3.13)	59.2 (2.33)	61.0 (2.40)	74.1 (2.92)	64.1 (2.52)	104.2 (4.10)	142.2 (5.60)	142.9 (5.63)	120.9 (4.76)	137.2 (5.40)	125.9 (4.96)	1,220.4 (48.05)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	213 (84)	169 (67)	107 (42)	13 (5.1)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	53 (21)	194 (76)	746 (294)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	21.2	17.5	13.8	10.3	9.3	8.3	8.8	9.7	11.7	14.3	18.3	21.8	165
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm)	21.0	18.1	13.7	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5.8	19.4	80
Mean monthly sunshine hours	33.3	48.2	99.5	164.9	196.4	160.6	131.4	142.9	148.7	122.7	63.2	26.4	1,338
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[2][3]

History

• 1909: Minamishiribeshi became a Second Class Village.^[4]
• 1940: Minamishiribeshi became a First Class Village.
• 1954: Minamishiribeshi Village became Rankoshi Town.
• 1955: A part of Suttsu Town was merged into Rankoshi Town.

Education

• High school
  • Hokkaido Rankoshi High School^[5]
• Junior high school
  • Rankoshi Junior High School
• Elementary schools
  • Kombu Elementary School
  • Rankoshi Elementary School

Transportation

• Hakodate Main Line: Mena - Rankoshi - Konbu
• Route 5

Sister city

• Saalfelden, Salzburg, Austria (since 1967)^[6]