Shikabe, Hokkaido

Shikabe (鹿部町, Shikabe-chō) is a town located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Shikabe 鹿部町
Town
Japanese transcription(s)
• Hepburn romanization	Shikabe-chō
Flag Seal
The location of Shikabe in Oshima Subprefecture.
Shikabe The location of Shikabe in Japan
Coordinates: 42°2′N 140°49′E
Country	Japan
Prefecture	Hokkaido
Subprefecture	Oshima Subprefecture
District	Kayabe
Government
• Mayor	Akihiko Morita (盛田昌彦)
Area
• Total	110.61 km2 (42.71 sq mi)
Population  (2019-08-01)
• Total	3,920
• Density	35/km2 (92/sq mi)
Post code	041-1498
Area code	01343
Official Tree	Japanese Rowan
Official Flower	Rhododendron
Government Office Address	Aza Miyahama 299, Shikabe-chō, Kayabe-gun, Hokkaidō 041-1498
Government Office Telephone	01372-7-2111
Community Identification Number	01343-9
Website	https://www.town.shikabe.lg.jp/

The town has a total area of 110.61 square kilometres (42.71 sq mi).

Geography

Shikabe is located in northeast of Oshima Peninsula. There is Hokkaido Koma-ga-take on northwest of the town.

The name of "Shikabe" is derived from Ainu word "sikerpe", meaning "Place with Phellodendron amurense".

Neighboring municipalities

• Hakodate
• Mori
• Nanae

Demographics

On August 1, 2019, the town had an estimated population of 3,920 and a density of 37 persons per km².

History

• 1666: Ito Genguro, Shogunate of Tsugaru, discovers a deer healing itself in a hot spring in the area now called Shikabe. The legend of Shikabe Onsen begins.^[1]
• 1906: Shikabe became a Second Class village.
• 1945: Hakodate Main Line Sawara Branch Line and Shikabe Station were opened.
• 1983: Shikabe village became Shikabe town.
• 1990: The founding of Shikabe Park.

Education

• Shikabe Elementary School
• Shikabe Junior High School

Economy

The economy of Shikabe is dominated by fishing, with 3 large and small fishing ports in the town. The sea animals fished in Shikabe are octopus, pleuronectidae (righteyed flounder), okhotsk atka mackerel, salmon, as well as sea cucumber. During the wintertime, Shikabe's famous pollack roe is produced.

Besides fishing, Shikabe has many onsen, as well as a Michi no Eki where visitors can relax with a warm foot bath. In the general area, there are various hotels and ryokan for visitors to stay at.

Fisheries

• Honbetsu Fishery
• Shikabe Fishery

Post Offices

• Shikabe Post Office

Delivery Companies

• Japan Post
• Segawa
• Yamato

Transportation

• Hakodate Bus: Shikabe Branch Office
• Hakodate Main Line: Shikabe Station
• Japan National Route 278