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Coordinates: 44°21′N 143°21′E / 44.350°N 143.350°E / 44.350; 143.350
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{{About||the town in Hidaka subprefecture|Monbetsu, Hokkaido (Hidaka)|the district in Okhotsk subprefecture|Monbetsu District, Hokkaido}}
{{About||the town in Hidaka subprefecture|Monbetsu, Hokkaido (Hidaka)|the district in Okhotsk subprefecture|Monbetsu District, Hokkaido}}
{{Expand Japanese|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Monbetsu
| name = {{raise|0.2em|Mombetsu}}
| official_name =
| official_name =
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|紋別市}}}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|紋別市}}}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| other_name =
| other_name = <!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline = Monbetsu panorama.jpg
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| imagesize =
| image_skyline = Monbetsu panorama.jpg
| image_caption = The city viewed from Mount Monbetsu
| imagesize =
| image_flag = Flag of Monbetsu, Hokkaido.svg
| image_caption = The city viewed from Mount Mombetsu
| image_flag = Flag of Monbetsu, Hokkaido.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Monbetsu, Okhotsk, Hokkaido.svg
| seal_type = Emblem
| image_seal = Symbol of Monbetsu Hokkaido.svg
<!-- maps and coordinates -->| image_map = Monbetsu in Abashiri Subprefecture.gif
| seal_type = Emblem
| map_alt =
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map = Monbetsu in Abashiri Subprefecture.gif
| map_caption = Location of Monbetsu in [[Hokkaido]] ([[Okhotsk Subprefecture]])
| pushpin_map = Japan
| map_alt =
| pushpin_relief =
| map_caption = Location of Mombetsu in [[Hokkaido]] ([[Okhotsk Subprefecture]])
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|44|21|N|143|21|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_relief =
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
<!-- location -->| subdivision_type = Country
| coordinates = {{coord|44|21|N|143|21|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_name = Japan
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_name1 = [[Hokkaido]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_name2 = [[Hokkaido]] ([[Okhotsk Subprefecture]])
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Hokkaido]]
| subdivision_name3 = <!-- established -->
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| subdivision_name2 = [[Hokkaido]] ([[Okhotsk Subprefecture]])
| established_date =
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| extinct_title = Now part of
| subdivision_name3 =
| extinct_date =
<!-- established -->
| founder =
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| named_for = <!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| established_date =
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| extinct_title = Now part of
| seat = <!-- government type, leaders -->
| extinct_date =
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| founder =
| leader_party =
| named_for =
| leader_title = Mayor
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| leader_name = Yoshikazu Miyakawa
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| seat =
| leader_name1 = <!-- display settings -->
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| unit_pref = Metric
| leader_party =
<!-- area -->| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| leader_title = Mayor
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_name = Yoshikazu Miyakawa
| area_total_km2 = 830.70
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| area_land_km2 =
| leader_name1 =
| area_water_km2 =
<!-- display settings -->
| area_water_percent =
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| area_note = <!-- elevation -->
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- area -->
| elevation_m = <!-- population -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 22,983
| area_total_km2 = 830.70
| population_as_of = September 30, 2016
| area_land_km2 =
| population_density_km2 = 27.67
| area_water_km2 =
| population_est =
| area_water_percent =
| pop_est_as_of = <!-- time zone(s) -->
| area_note =
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
<!-- elevation -->
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- postal codes, area code -->| postal_code_type =
| elevation_m =
| postal_code =
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code = <!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| population_total = 22,983
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| population_as_of = September 30, 2016
| blank_info_sec1 = 2-1-18, Saiwaichō, Mombetsu-shi, Hokkaidō<br />094-8707
| population_density_km2 = 27.67
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| population_est =
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid continental climate|Dfb]]
| pop_est_as_of =
<!-- website, footnotes -->| website = {{URL|http://mombetsu.jp/}}
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| footnotes =
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 2-1-18, Saiwaichō, Mombetsu-shi, Hokkaidō<br />094-8707
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{URL|http://mombetsu.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Sorbus commixta|Japanese Rowan]]
| tree = [[Sorbus commixta|Japanese Rowan]]
| flower = [[Rosa rugosa|Rugosa Rose]]
| flower = [[Rosa rugosa|Rugosa Rose]]
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}}
}}


{{Nihongo|'''Mombetsu'''|紋別市|Mombetsu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Okhotsk Subprefecture]], [[Hokkaido]], Japan; on the [[Sea of Okhotsk]]. The name comes from [[Ainu language|Ainu]] Mopet (Quiet River), Ainu "-pet" would be interpreted "-betsu" in Japanese as well of other city names in Hokkaido.
{{Nihongo|'''Monbetsu'''|紋別市|Monbetsu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Okhotsk Subprefecture]], [[Hokkaido]], Japan; on the [[Sea of Okhotsk]]. The name comes from [[Ainu language|Ainu]] Mopet{{cn|date=August 2023}} (Quiet River), Ainu "-pet" would be interpreted "-betsu" in Japanese as well of other city names in Hokkaido.


As of September 30, 2016, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 22,983 and a [[population density]] of 27.67 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area is {{convert|830.70|km2|abbr=on}}.
As of September 30, 2016, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 22,983 and a [[population density]] of 27.67 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area is {{convert|830.70|km2|abbr=on}}.


Most of Mombetsu's economy is dedicated to [[fishing]] for cold-water species such as [[crab]]. The crab from Mombetsu is reputably the best in Japan, and is such a source of town pride that a sculpture of a crab claw nearly 10 m tall was built on the waterfront.
Most of Monbetsu's economy is dedicated to [[fishing]] for cold-water species such as [[crab]]. The crab from Monbetsu is reputedly the best in Japan, and is such a source of town pride that a sculpture of a crab claw nearly 10 m tall was built on the waterfront.


==History==
==History==
*1889: Village office established in Mombetsu<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mombetsu.jp/english/index.html|title = 外国語ページ｜紋別市}}</ref>
*1889: Village office established in Monbetsu<ref>{{Cite web |title=外国語ページ｜紋別市 |url=http://mombetsu.jp/english/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129182106/https://mombetsu.jp/english/index.html |archive-date=2022-11-29}}</ref>
*1909: {{Nihongo|Mobetsu Village|藻鼈村}} and Mombetsu Village merge to form Monbetsu Village
*1909: {{Nihongo|Mobetsu Village|藻鼈村}} and Monbetsu Village merge to form Monbetsu Village
*1919: Mombetsu Village becomes Mombetsu Town
*1919: Monbetsu Village becomes Monbetsu Town
*July 1, 1954: {{Nihongo|Shokotsu Village|渚滑村}} and {{Nihongo|Kamishokotsu Village|上渚滑村}} merge with Mombetsu to form the city of Mombetsu
*July 1, 1954: {{Nihongo|Shokotsu Village|渚滑村}} and {{Nihongo|Kamishokotsu Village|上渚滑村}} merge with Monbetsu to form the city of Monbetsu


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[Shokotsu River]] flows through the city.
The [[Shokotsu River]] flows through the city.


===Climate===
===Climate===
Mombetsu has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'') with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation falls throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September.
Monbetsu has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'') with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation falls throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September.


{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box
|collapsed = Y
|location = Mombetsu (1981–2010)
|single line = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Monbetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1956−present)
|Jan high C = −2.6
|Feb high C = −2.5
|Jan high C = -2.3
|Mar high C = 1.6
|Feb high C = -2.0
|Apr high C = 8.8
|Mar high C = 2.3
|May high C = 13.9
|Apr high C = 9.0
|Jun high C = 16.3
|May high C = 14.2
|Jul high C = 20.0
|Jun high C = 16.7
|Aug high C = 23.0
|Jul high C = 20.6
|Sep high C = 20.2
|Aug high C = 22.9
|Oct high C = 14.7
|Sep high C = 20.7
|Nov high C = 7.0
|Oct high C = 14.9
|Dec high C = 0.4
|Nov high C = 7.2
|Jan mean C = −5.6
|Dec high C = 0.3
|Feb mean C = −5.9
|Jan mean C = -5.2
|Mar mean C = -1.8
|Feb mean C = -5.3
|Apr mean C = 4.5
|Mar mean C = -1.2
|May mean C = 9.4
|Apr mean C = 4.6
|Jun mean C = 12.6
|May mean C = 9.6
|Jul mean C = 16.6
|Jun mean C = 13.0
|Aug mean C = 19.4
|Jul mean C = 17.1
|Sep mean C = 16.1
|Aug mean C = 19.3
|Oct mean C = 10.3
|Sep mean C = 16.6
|Nov mean C = 3.4
|Oct mean C = 10.5
|Dec mean C = −2.5
|Nov mean C = 3.6
|year mean C = 6.4
|Dec mean C = -2.6
|Jan low C = −9.3
|Jan low C = -8.7
|Feb low C = −9.9
|Feb low C = -9.4
|Mar low C = −5.4
|Mar low C = -5.0
|Apr low C = 0.6
|Apr low C = 0.7
|May low C = 5.2
|May low C = 5.6
|Jun low C = 9.5
|Jun low C = 9.9
|Jul low C = 13.9
|Jul low C = 14.4
|Aug low C = 16.4
|Aug low C = 16.4
|Sep low C = 12.3
|Sep low C = 12.8
|Oct low C = 5.9
|Oct low C = 6.2
|Nov low C = −0.3
|Nov low C = 0.0
|Dec low C = −5.9
|Dec low C = -6.0
|year high C= 10.1 |year low C= 2.8
|Jan record high C = 8.8
|year high F =50.1 |year low F =37.0
|Feb record high C = 12.6
|Mar record high C = 18.7
|Apr record high C = 30.8
|May record high C = 37.0
|Jun record high C = 32.7
|Jul record high C = 36.3
|Aug record high C = 35.2
|Sep record high C = 34.2
|Oct record high C = 27.9
|Nov record high C = 22.4
|Dec record high C = 16.5
|year record high C= 37.0
|Jan record low C = -21.8
|Feb record low C = -24.7
|Mar record low C = -22.7
|Apr record low C = -11.2
|May record low C = -3.3
|Jun record low C = -0.3
|Jul record low C = 4.3
|Aug record low C = 5.6
|Sep record low C = 1.6
|Oct record low C = -2.2
|Nov record low C = -11.8
|Dec record low C = -17.0
|year record low C= -24.7
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 45.3
|Jan precipitation mm = 44.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 30.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 33.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 39.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 35.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 46.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 45.7
|May precipitation mm = 59.8
|May precipitation mm = 58.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 64.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 69.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 99.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 108.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 112.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 122.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 127.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 127.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 74.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 88.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 56.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 64.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 53.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 59.3
|year precipitation mm=
|year precipitation mm= 860.8
|Jan snow cm = 128
|Jan rain days = 11.1
|Feb snow cm = 102
|Feb rain days = 9.8
|Mar snow cm = 92
|Mar rain days = 9.1
|Apr snow cm = 29
|Apr rain days = 8.3
|May snow cm = 2
|May rain days = 8.5
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jun rain days = 9.4
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Jul rain days = 10.0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Aug rain days = 9.9
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Sep rain days = 10.8
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Oct rain days = 9.9
|Nov snow cm = 30
|Nov rain days = 11.1
|Dec snow cm = 104
|Dec rain days = 11.6
|year snow cm=
|Jan snow cm = 87
|Jan humidity = 73
|Feb snow cm = 77
|Feb humidity = 73
|Mar snow cm = 62
|Mar humidity = 70
|Apr snow cm = 16
|Apr humidity = 68
|May snow cm = 1
|May humidity = 72
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jun humidity = 82
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Jul humidity = 85
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Aug humidity = 83
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Sep humidity = 76
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Oct humidity = 70
|Nov snow cm = 21
|Nov humidity = 69
|Dec snow cm = 75
|Dec humidity = 71
|year snow cm= 338
|Jan snow days = 18.7
|year humidity=
|Jan sun = 102.1
|Feb snow days = 16.3
|Feb sun = 119.8
|Mar snow days = 14.5
|Mar sun = 162.4
|Apr snow days = 3.8
|Apr sun = 174.3
|May snow days = 0.3
|May sun = 183.2
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jun sun = 158.9
|Jul snow days = 0
|Jul sun = 146.6
|Aug snow days = 0
|Aug sun = 154.8
|Sep snow days = 0
|Sep sun = 162.1
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Oct sun = 156.5
|Nov snow days = 5.3
|Nov sun = 108.1
|Dec snow days = 15.8
|Dec sun = 98.0
|humidity colour = green
|year sun=
|Jan humidity= 73
|Feb humidity= 73
|source 1 = [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=17&block_no=47435&year=&month=&day=&view= Japan Meteorological Agency ]
|Mar humidity= 70
}}
|Apr humidity= 67
|May humidity= 73
|Jun humidity= 83
|Jul humidity= 85
|Aug humidity= 83
|Sep humidity= 77
|Oct humidity= 71
|Nov humidity= 70
|Dec humidity= 71
|year humidity= 75
|Jan sun = 98.7
|Feb sun = 114.2
|Mar sun = 160.1
|Apr sun = 174.7
|May sun = 179.3
|Jun sun = 154.7
|Jul sun = 143.2
|Aug sun = 145.0
|Sep sun = 157.3
|Oct sun = 149.3
|Nov sun = 103.5
|Dec sun = 95.2
|year sun= 1675.2
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=17&block_no=47435&year=&month=12&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = February 18, 2022}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=17&block_no=47435&year=&month=12&day=&view=p1
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = February 18, 2022}}</ref>}}


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
Mombetsu does not have passenger rail service. There are buses to [[Sapporo]] and [[Asahikawa]], as well as a daily flight to [[Tokyo]] from [[Monbetsu Airport]].
Monbetsu does not have passenger rail service. There are buses to [[Sapporo]] and [[Asahikawa]], as well as a daily flight to [[Tokyo]] from [[Monbetsu Airport]].


Shokotsu Line and Nayoro Main Line used to run in the city.
Shokotsu Line and Nayoro Main Line used to run in the city.
Line 220: Line 266:


===High school===
===High school===
* Hokkaido Mombetsu High School
* Hokkaido Monbetsu High School


==Sightseeing==
==Sightseeing==
Mombetsu is famous for [[drift ice]], a yearly phenomenon which reaches the city every January or February from the northern Sea of Okhotsk. As such, the city has taken on the drift ice as its symbol and has become a center for research on sea ice generally, with an international conference held in February (usually the time of peak sea ice) each year. There is also a yearly Drift Ice Festival that coincides with the Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival features impressive sculptures built out of drift ice along with a large ice maze. Additionally, the Okhotsk Tower is a facility where one can observe sea ice from both high above, and from below the ocean. It is complete with an information center and aquarium. An icebreaker, the Garinko II, departs from nearby and makes regular sightseeing cruises through the drift ice during the winter. Mombetsu is also home to the Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum of Hokkaido,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/world/climate-environment/climate-change-japan-pacific-sea-salmon-ice-loss/|title=How climate change is triggering a chain reaction that threatens the heart of the Pacific|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> which covers all aspects of sea ice and features a sub-zero room and "frozen aquarium" of various fish preserved in ice.
Monbetsu is famous for [[drift ice]], a yearly phenomenon which reaches the city every January or February from the northern Sea of Okhotsk. As such, the city has taken on the drift ice as its symbol and has become a center for research on sea ice generally, with an international conference held in February (usually the time of peak sea ice) each year. There is also a yearly Drift Ice Festival that coincides with the Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival features impressive sculptures built out of drift ice along with a large ice maze. Additionally, the Okhotsk Tower is a facility where one can observe sea ice from both high above, and from below the ocean. It is complete with an information center and aquarium. An icebreaker, the Garinko II, departs from nearby and makes regular sightseeing cruises through the drift ice during the winter. Monbetsu is also home to the Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum of Hokkaido,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/world/climate-environment/climate-change-japan-pacific-sea-salmon-ice-loss/|title=How climate change is triggering a chain reaction that threatens the heart of the Pacific|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> which covers all aspects of sea ice and features a sub-zero room and "frozen aquarium" of various fish preserved in ice.


During the summertime, when the sea ice melts, sailors from Russia are a common sight in the city. Some local businesses have banned Russian visitors for their supposed "unruly" behavior, which has led some activists to criticize Monbetsu as a hotbed of [[Racism in Japan|racial discrimination]].<ref>"[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E7DA103CF931A25756C0A9629C8B63 LETTER FROM ASIA; Foreigners Try to Melt an Inhospitable Japanese City]," ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref>
During the summertime, when the sea ice melts, sailors from [[Russia]] are a common sight in the city. Some local businesses have banned Russian visitors for their supposed "unruly" behavior, which has led some activists to criticize Monbetsu as a hotbed of [[Racism in Japan|racial discrimination]].<ref name="nytimes-2004">{{cite news |last1=Brooke |first1=James |title=LETTER FROM ASIA; Foreigners Try to Melt an Inhospitable Japanese City |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E7DA103CF931A25756C0A9629C8B63 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=May 12, 2004}}</ref>

==Mascot==
[[File:Monita.png|thumb|left|200px|Monta, the town's mascot]]
Monbetsu's mascot is {{Nihongo|'''Monta'''|紋太}}. He is a curious, festive and exciting 53-year-old harbor seal. He usually wears a happi coat with an iceberg motif, a belly band (which is his charm point as it helps him give extra warmth during the winter and extra coolness during the summer) and a scallop as a wig. As a seal, he can resist the extreme weather (both cold and hot). He sometimes wear salmon roes, crab claws and salmon as wigs. Despite his old age, he can go scuba diving. He lives in the Hokkaidoritsu Okhotsk Ryuhyo Park (which is also his workplace). He usually goes to festivals and the Port of Monbetsu. His hobbies are fishing, studying the sea and taking naps on drift ice (during the winter) and at the Okhotsk White Beach (during the summer). He likes all kinds of seafood but try to offer him some sweets and vegetables and he will refuse them for health reasons. His goal is to be a good elder when it comes to promoting the city. Whenever anyone sees him, he brings smiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tic.mombetsu.net/monta/|title=紋別のキャラクター「紋太」|website=Monbetsu}}</ref>


==Sister cities==
==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan}}
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan}}
Mombetsu is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref name=sc>{{cite web |title=Sister and Friendship Cities|url=https://mombetsu.jp/english/p8.html|website=mombetsu.jp|publisher=Mombetsu|access-date=2021-04-25}}</ref>
Monbetsu's sister cities are<ref name="sc">{{cite web |title=Sister and Friendship Cities |url=https://mombetsu.jp/english/p8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307165122/https://mombetsu.jp/english/p8.html |archive-date=2022-03-07 |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=mombetsu.jp |publisher=Mombetsu}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Korsakov (town)|Korsakov]], Russia
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Newport, Oregon]], United States (1966)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Newport, Oregon|Newport]], United States
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Korsakov (town)|Korsakov]], Russia (1991)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fairbanks, Alaska]], United States (1991)

Mombetsu also has friendly relations with [[Fairbanks, Alaska|Fairbanks]] in the United States.<ref name=sc/>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 04:37, 22 August 2023

For the town in Hidaka subprefecture, see Monbetsu, Hokkaido (Hidaka). For the district in Okhotsk subprefecture, see Monbetsu District, Hokkaido.
Monbetsu
紋別市
City
The city viewed from Mount Monbetsu
The city viewed from Mount Monbetsu
Flag of Monbetsu
Flag
Official seal of Monbetsu
Emblem
Location of Monbetsu in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Location of Monbetsu in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Monbetsu is located in Japan
Monbetsu
Monbetsu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°21′N 143°21′E / 44.350°N 143.350°E / 44.350; 143.350
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Government
 • MayorYoshikazu Miyakawa
Area
 • Total830.70 km2 (320.74 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
 • Total22,983
 • Density27.67/km2 (71.7/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2-1-18, Saiwaichō, Mombetsu-shi, Hokkaidō
094-8707
ClimateDfb
Websitemombetsu.jp
Symbols
FlowerRugosa Rose
TreeJapanese Rowan

Monbetsu (紋別市, Monbetsu-shi) is a city located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan; on the Sea of Okhotsk. The name comes from Ainu Mopet[citation needed] (Quiet River), Ainu "-pet" would be interpreted "-betsu" in Japanese as well of other city names in Hokkaido.

As of September 30, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 22,983 and a population density of 27.67 persons per km2. The total area is 830.70 km2 (320.74 sq mi).

Most of Monbetsu's economy is dedicated to fishing for cold-water species such as crab. The crab from Monbetsu is reputedly the best in Japan, and is such a source of town pride that a sculpture of a crab claw nearly 10 m tall was built on the waterfront.

History[edit]

  • 1889: Village office established in Monbetsu[1]
  • 1909: Mobetsu Village (藻鼈村) and Monbetsu Village merge to form Monbetsu Village
  • 1919: Monbetsu Village becomes Monbetsu Town
  • July 1, 1954: Shokotsu Village (渚滑村) and Kamishokotsu Village (上渚滑村) merge with Monbetsu to form the city of Monbetsu

Geography[edit]

The Shokotsu River flows through the city.

Climate[edit]

Monbetsu has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation falls throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September.

Climate data for Monbetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1956−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8) 		12.6
(54.7) 		18.7
(65.7) 		30.8
(87.4) 		37.0
(98.6) 		32.7
(90.9) 		36.3
(97.3) 		35.2
(95.4) 		34.2
(93.6) 		27.9
(82.2) 		22.4
(72.3) 		16.5
(61.7) 		37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −2.3
(27.9) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		2.3
(36.1) 		9.0
(48.2) 		14.2
(57.6) 		16.7
(62.1) 		20.6
(69.1) 		22.9
(73.2) 		20.7
(69.3) 		14.9
(58.8) 		7.2
(45.0) 		0.3
(32.5) 		10.4
(50.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.2
(22.6) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		4.6
(40.3) 		9.6
(49.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		17.1
(62.8) 		19.3
(66.7) 		16.6
(61.9) 		10.5
(50.9) 		3.6
(38.5) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		6.7
(44.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.7
(16.3) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		0.7
(33.3) 		5.6
(42.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		14.4
(57.9) 		16.4
(61.5) 		12.8
(55.0) 		6.2
(43.2) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		3.1
(37.5)
Record low °C (°F) −21.8
(−7.2) 		−24.7
(−12.5) 		−22.7
(−8.9) 		−11.2
(11.8) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		4.3
(39.7) 		5.6
(42.1) 		1.6
(34.9) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−11.8
(10.8) 		−17.0
(1.4) 		−24.7
(−12.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44.4
(1.75) 		33.2
(1.31) 		35.4
(1.39) 		45.7
(1.80) 		58.4
(2.30) 		69.8
(2.75) 		108.6
(4.28) 		122.0
(4.80) 		127.6
(5.02) 		88.1
(3.47) 		64.6
(2.54) 		59.3
(2.33) 		860.8
(33.89)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 87
(34) 		77
(30) 		62
(24) 		16
(6.3) 		1
(0.4) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		21
(8.3) 		75
(30) 		338
(133)
Average rainy days 11.1 9.8 9.1 8.3 8.5 9.4 10.0 9.9 10.8 9.9 11.1 11.6 119.5
Average snowy days 18.7 16.3 14.5 3.8 0.3 0 0 0 0 0.1 5.3 15.8 74.8
Average relative humidity (%) 73 73 70 67 73 83 85 83 77 71 70 71 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 98.7 114.2 160.1 174.7 179.3 154.7 143.2 145.0 157.3 149.3 103.5 95.2 1,675.2
Source 1: JMA[2]
Source 2: JMA[3]

Transportation[edit]

Monbetsu does not have passenger rail service. There are buses to Sapporo and Asahikawa, as well as a daily flight to Tokyo from Monbetsu Airport.

Shokotsu Line and Nayoro Main Line used to run in the city.

Education[edit]

High school[edit]

  • Hokkaido Monbetsu High School

Sightseeing[edit]

Monbetsu is famous for drift ice, a yearly phenomenon which reaches the city every January or February from the northern Sea of Okhotsk. As such, the city has taken on the drift ice as its symbol and has become a center for research on sea ice generally, with an international conference held in February (usually the time of peak sea ice) each year. There is also a yearly Drift Ice Festival that coincides with the Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival features impressive sculptures built out of drift ice along with a large ice maze. Additionally, the Okhotsk Tower is a facility where one can observe sea ice from both high above, and from below the ocean. It is complete with an information center and aquarium. An icebreaker, the Garinko II, departs from nearby and makes regular sightseeing cruises through the drift ice during the winter. Monbetsu is also home to the Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum of Hokkaido,[4] which covers all aspects of sea ice and features a sub-zero room and "frozen aquarium" of various fish preserved in ice.

During the summertime, when the sea ice melts, sailors from Russia are a common sight in the city. Some local businesses have banned Russian visitors for their supposed "unruly" behavior, which has led some activists to criticize Monbetsu as a hotbed of racial discrimination.[5]

Mascot[edit]

Monta, the town's mascot

Monbetsu's mascot is Monta (紋太). He is a curious, festive and exciting 53-year-old harbor seal. He usually wears a happi coat with an iceberg motif, a belly band (which is his charm point as it helps him give extra warmth during the winter and extra coolness during the summer) and a scallop as a wig. As a seal, he can resist the extreme weather (both cold and hot). He sometimes wear salmon roes, crab claws and salmon as wigs. Despite his old age, he can go scuba diving. He lives in the Hokkaidoritsu Okhotsk Ryuhyo Park (which is also his workplace). He usually goes to festivals and the Port of Monbetsu. His hobbies are fishing, studying the sea and taking naps on drift ice (during the winter) and at the Okhotsk White Beach (during the summer). He likes all kinds of seafood but try to offer him some sweets and vegetables and he will refuse them for health reasons. His goal is to be a good elder when it comes to promoting the city. Whenever anyone sees him, he brings smiles.[6]

Sister cities[edit]

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Monbetsu's sister cities are[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "外国語ページ｜紋別市". Archived from the original on 2022-11-29.
  2. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  3. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  4. ^ "How climate change is triggering a chain reaction that threatens the heart of the Pacific". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  5. ^ Brooke, James (May 12, 2004). "LETTER FROM ASIA; Foreigners Try to Melt an Inhospitable Japanese City". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "紋別のキャラクター「紋太」". Monbetsu.
  7. ^ "Sister and Friendship Cities". mombetsu.jp. Mombetsu. Archived from the original on 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2021-04-25.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monbetsu,_Hokkaido&oldid=1171604631"