Shimizu, Hokkaido
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Shimizu
清水町 | |
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Town | |
Coordinates: 43°1′N 142°53′E / 43.017°N 142.883°E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Hokkaido |
Prefecture | Hokkaido (Tokachi Subprefecture) |
District | Kamikawa (Tokachi) |
Area | |
• Total | 402.18 km2 (155.28 sq mi) |
Population (September 30, 2016) | |
• Total | 9,784 |
• Density | 24/km2 (63/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
Website | www |
Shimizu (清水町, Shimizu-chō) is a small
Population
As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 9,784 and a density of 24 persons per km2. The total area is 402.18 km2.
Geography
The town of Shimizu lies within the Tokachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The town lies at the base of the Hidaka Mountain Range and has several towns nearby, including Shikaoi to the North, Shintoku to the West, Hidaka to the South, and Memuro to the East. The geography of the town of Shimizu is mostly flat, with a few low-lying hills to the North and West.
History
The town of Shimizu began to settle in 1898, with a population of 99 people, working as cultivating
In 1980, the town's cultural center opened, and is famous for the playing of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Every year, students from Shimizu High School practice singing the symphony, for an end of the year concert. The town's first swimming pool opened in 1983, and in 1990, both the town's library and local history museum were established.
Economy
Shimizu has roughly 440 farmers, and 14,500 ha of farmland. Dairy farming, cattle farming, and sugar beet cultivation are some of the main types of agriculture that take place in Shimizu and the surrounding area.
Transportation
The town has several means of transportation for getting in and out of town. A train line runs through town connecting neighboring towns
Recreation
The town is in a prime location for skiers & snowboard enthusiasts alike in the winter, and becomes a haven for cyclists and motorcyclists in the warmer months.
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Several ski hills are within a half-hour drive, including TomamuSki Hill and Memuro's Arashiyama Ski Hill.
Education
Shimizu has several educational institutions in town including public schools grades 1–12, and a High School of Arts:
- High School:
- Shimizu High School, Hokkaido (prefectural)
- High school of arts, Hokkaido
- Junior high:
- Two schools (Shimizu, Mikage)
- Elementary school
- Two schools (Shimizu, Mikage)
International Exchange
In 1993, Shimizu and the town of Chelsea, Michigan began a sister city exchange program, where groups of 7th and 8th graders from Chelsea visit Japan and stay with a host family for just under two weeks.[1] The exchange program started in 1993 by Brian Oakley (CHS Class of 1986), and continues to this day.
Shimizu is also in connection with the JET Programme, which contracts out two ALT's to Shimizu. ALT's working for the town's board of education are hired from Michigan, and work at the town's elementary and junior high schools. JET's working for the town's high school, are hired through the Hokkaidō Prefectural Board of Education, and are not in connection with the town's sister town.
Mascots
Shimizu's mascots are Ut-chan (うっちゃん) and Hataraku-kun (はたらく君).[2]
- Ut-chan is a tomboyish Japanese bush warbler who loves to play ice hockey and do skiing. She also attends matsuri festivals. She is unveiled in 1990.
- Hataraku-kun is a water alien who is Ut-chan's assistant. His name comes from the Ainu word "pekerebetsu" meaning a bright and pure river. He is unveiled in 2010.
Notable people from Shimizu
- Miho Oki, former racing cyclist
- Shota Sakaki, football player
See also
- Hidaka Mountains
- Japan National Route 274
- Mount Sahoro
- Doto Expressway
References
- ^ "Chelsea-Shimizu Sister Cities Student Exchange Program | Sister Cities Student Exchange Program". chelsea-shimizu.org.
- ^ "キャラクター". Shimizu.
External links
- Media related to Shimizu, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website (in Japanese)