Rausu, Hokkaido: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 44°1′N 145°11′E / 44.017°N 145.183°E / 44.017; 145.183
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{{more citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Expand Japanese|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rausu
| name = Rausu
Line 38: Line 40:
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid continental climate|Dfb]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.rausu-town.jp/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.rausu-town.jp/}}
}}
}}
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Rausu is located on the east end of Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula. It is situated on the southeast corner of the peninsula facing the [[Nemuro Strait]]. The town stretches along and narrow strip of land, extending {{convert|64|km|mi|abbr=on}} from southwest to northeast. The Shiretoko mountain range extends north on the peninsula to the sea where it forms steep cliffs. The Shiretoko mountain range is the source for myriad rivers, that all empty into the sea. Village communities are found mostly on the coast line at the mouths of these rivers. The "downtown" of Rausu is at the mouth of Rausu River where it joins the sea at Rausu Harbor.
Rausu is located on the east end of Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula. It is situated on the southeast corner of the peninsula facing the [[Nemuro Strait]]. The town stretches along and narrow strip of land, extending {{convert|64|km|mi|abbr=on}} from southwest to northeast. The Shiretoko mountain range extends north on the peninsula to the sea where it forms steep cliffs. The Shiretoko mountain range is the source for myriad rivers, that all empty into the sea. Village communities are found mostly on the coast line at the mouths of these rivers. The "downtown" of Rausu is at the mouth of Rausu River where it joins the sea at Rausu Harbor.


Two access points to Rausu via highway are through [[Shibetsu, Hokkaido (Nemuro)|Shibetsu]] in the south or through [[Shari, Hokkaido|Shari]] on the west side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. From Shibetsu, [[Route 335 (Japan)|National Highway 335]](the Kunashiri Highway)extends northwards along the coast into Rausu at which point it crosses the peninsula heading west, over the Shiretoko mountain range (the Shiretoko Pass). The Shiretoko Pass leads into Shari and becomes [[Route 334 (Japan)|National Highway 334]] (Shiretoko Crossing). Some sections of both highways (334 and 335) feature steep precipices just off the shoulder and may prove dangerous. There are also a number of tunnels along both highways.
Two access points to Rausu via highway are through [[Shibetsu, Hokkaido (Nemuro)|Shibetsu]] in the south or through [[Shari, Hokkaido|Shari]] on the west side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. From Shibetsu, [[Route 335 (Japan)|National Highway 335]] (the Kunashiri Highway) extends northwards along the coast into Rausu at which point it crosses the peninsula heading west, over the Shiretoko mountain range (the Shiretoko Pass). The Shiretoko Pass leads into Shari and becomes [[Route 334 (Japan)|National Highway 334]] (Shiretoko Crossing). Some sections of both highways (334 and 335) feature steep precipices just off the shoulder and may prove dangerous. There are also a number of tunnels along both highways.
Rausu is about {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast from [[Nakashibetsu Airport|Nakashibetsu airport]]. It is {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Kushiro, Hokkaido|Kushiro City]].
Rausu is about {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast from [[Nakashibetsu Airport|Nakashibetsu airport]]. It is {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Kushiro, Hokkaido|Kushiro City]].
* Mountains: [[Mount Rausu]] (1,660m/ 1.03 miles); Mount Shiretoko Sulphur Spring (1,563m/ 0.97miles)
* Mountains: [[Mount Rausu]] (1,660m/ 1.03 miles); Mount Shiretoko Sulphur Spring (1,563m/ 0.97miles)
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===Climate===
===Climate===
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Rausu
|width = auto
|metric first = yes
|collapsed = Y
|single line = yes
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan high C = −2
|location = Rausu (2005−2020 normals, extremes 2005−present)
|Feb high C = −2
|Mar high C = 0
|Jan record high C = 7.0
|Apr high C = 5
|Feb record high C = 9.6
|May high C = 9
|Mar record high C = 13.9
|Jun high C = 11
|Apr record high C = 22.5
|Jul high C = 15
|May record high C = 29.4
|Aug high C = 18
|Jun record high C = 30.9
|Sep high C = 18
|Jul record high C = 30.7
|Oct high C = 14
|Aug record high C = 32.4
|Nov high C = 8
|Sep record high C = 29.8
|Dec high C = 1
|Oct record high C = 23.1
|year high C =
|Nov record high C = 19.2
|Jan low C = −6
|Dec record high C = 12.7
|Feb low C = −8
|Jan record low C = -15.7
|Mar low C = −5
|Feb record low C = -17.3
|Apr low C = −1
|Mar record low C = -11.7
|May low C = 3
|Apr record low C = -10.1
|Jun low C = 7
|May record low C = -1.5
|Jul low C = 11
|Jun record low C = 1.0
|Aug low C = 14
|Jul record low C = 5.7
|Sep low C = 13
|Aug record low C = 8.7
|Oct low C = 8
|Sep record low C = 5.4
|Nov low C = 2
|Oct record low C = -1.9
|Dec low C = −3
|Nov record low C = -8.9
|year low C =
|Dec record low C = -13.4
|Jan high C = -1.8
|Feb high C = -1.8
|Mar high C = 2.0
|Apr high C = 6.9
|May high C = 12.2
|Jun high C = 15.2
|Jul high C = 18.9
|Aug high C = 21.3
|Sep high C = 19.5
|Oct high C = 14.1
|Nov high C = 7.5
|Dec high C = 1.4
|Jan mean C = -4.5
|Feb mean C = -4.8
|Mar mean C = -1.1
|Apr mean C = 2.9
|May mean C = 7.8
|Jun mean C = 11.5
|Jul mean C = 15.4
|Aug mean C = 17.8
|Sep mean C = 15.7
|Oct mean C = 10.1
|Nov mean C = 4.1
|Dec mean C = -1.4
|Jan low C = -7.5
|Feb low C = -8.2
|Mar low C = -4.3
|Apr low C = -0.4
|May low C = 4.2
|Jun low C = 8.6
|Jul low C = 12.7
|Aug low C = 15.0
|Sep low C = 12.2
|Oct low C = 6.2
|Nov low C = 0.7
|Dec low C = -4.4
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 44
|Jan precipitation mm = 89.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 31
|Feb precipitation mm = 66.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 55
|Mar precipitation mm = 93.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 58
|Apr precipitation mm = 111.7
|May precipitation mm = 87
|May precipitation mm = 144.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 81
|Jun precipitation mm = 119.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 93
|Jul precipitation mm = 125.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 127
|Aug precipitation mm = 200.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 131
|Sep precipitation mm = 204.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 71
|Oct precipitation mm = 214.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 82
|Nov precipitation mm = 150.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 59
|Dec precipitation mm = 133.8
|year precipitation mm =
|year precipitation mm = 1657.1
|Jan precipitation days = 12
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Feb precipitation days = 8
|Jan precipitation days = 13.6
|Mar precipitation days = 10
|Feb precipitation days = 9.0
|Apr precipitation days = 11
|Mar precipitation days = 8.9
|May precipitation days = 13
|Apr precipitation days = 9.3
|Jun precipitation days = 14
|May precipitation days = 11.3
|Jul precipitation days = 15
|Jun precipitation days = 9.7
|Aug precipitation days = 13
|Jul precipitation days = 10.7
|Sep precipitation days = 14
|Aug precipitation days = 12.8
|Oct precipitation days = 12
|Sep precipitation days = 13.5
|Nov precipitation days = 13
|Oct precipitation days = 13.8
|Dec precipitation days = 12
|Nov precipitation days = 14.8
|Dec precipitation days = 16.1
|source 1 = World Weather Online<ref>{{cite web
|Jan snow cm = 149
| url = http://www.worldweatheronline.com/weather-averages/Japan/1201056/Rausu/1212822/info.aspx
|Feb snow cm = 119
| title = Rausu Weather, Japan Weather Averages | access-date = 2011-10-29 | publisher = World Weather Online
|Mar snow cm = 95
}}</ref>
|Apr snow cm = 38
|date=October 2011
|May snow cm = 2
}}
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 1
|Nov snow cm = 30
|Dec snow cm = 114
|year snow cm = 545
|unit snow days = 3 cm
|Jan snow days = 16.1
|Feb snow days = 11.8
|Mar snow days = 11.1
|Apr snow days = 5.1
|May snow days = 0.3
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 3.6
|Dec snow days = 13.2
|Jan sun = 88.3
|Feb sun = 117.3
|Mar sun = 139.0
|Apr sun = 153.1
|May sun = 164.9
|Jun sun = 128.4
|Jul sun = 114.7
|Aug sun = 108.0
|Sep sun = 124.6
|Oct sun = 134.8
|Nov sun = 104.8
|Dec sun = 93.0
|year sun = 1473.2
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=18&block_no=0084&year=&month=&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 = March 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=18&block_no=0084&year=&month=12&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値)
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 3, 2022}}</ref>}}


=== Adjoining municipalities ===
=== Adjoining municipalities ===

Latest revision as of 21:05, 20 October 2023

Rausu
羅臼町
Town
Rausu town hall
Rausu town hall
Flag of Rausu
Official seal of Rausu
Location of Rausu in Hokkaido (Nemuro Subprefecture)
Location of Rausu in Hokkaido (Nemuro Subprefecture)
Rausu is located in Japan
Rausu
Rausu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°1′N 145°11′E / 44.017°N 145.183°E / 44.017; 145.183
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Nemuro Subprefecture)
DistrictMenashi
Area
 • Total397.88 km2 (153.62 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
 • Total5,395
 • Density14/km2 (35/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
ClimateDfb
Websitewww.rausu-town.jp

Rausu (羅臼町, Rausu-chō) is a town located in Nemuro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 30, 2016, it has an estimated population of 5,395, and an area of 397.88 km2.

The word "Rausu" originates from the Ainu word Raushi, roughly meaning "Low-land" or "Place of men with beast-like spirit".

The town occupies the southern half of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Kunashir Island, one of the four disputed Kuril Islands, can be seen from the town.

Geography[edit]

Rausu is located on the east end of Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula. It is situated on the southeast corner of the peninsula facing the Nemuro Strait. The town stretches along and narrow strip of land, extending 64 km (40 mi) from southwest to northeast. The Shiretoko mountain range extends north on the peninsula to the sea where it forms steep cliffs. The Shiretoko mountain range is the source for myriad rivers, that all empty into the sea. Village communities are found mostly on the coast line at the mouths of these rivers. The "downtown" of Rausu is at the mouth of Rausu River where it joins the sea at Rausu Harbor.

Two access points to Rausu via highway are through Shibetsu in the south or through Shari on the west side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. From Shibetsu, National Highway 335 (the Kunashiri Highway) extends northwards along the coast into Rausu at which point it crosses the peninsula heading west, over the Shiretoko mountain range (the Shiretoko Pass). The Shiretoko Pass leads into Shari and becomes National Highway 334 (Shiretoko Crossing). Some sections of both highways (334 and 335) feature steep precipices just off the shoulder and may prove dangerous. There are also a number of tunnels along both highways. Rausu is about 70 km (43 mi) northeast from Nakashibetsu airport. It is 120 km (75 mi) northeast of Kushiro City.

  • Mountains: Mount Rausu (1,660m/ 1.03 miles); Mount Shiretoko Sulphur Spring (1,563m/ 0.97miles)
  • Major rivers: Rausu River
  • Major lakes and marshes: Lake Rausu

Climate[edit]

Climate data for Rausu (2005−2020 normals, extremes 2005−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 7.0
(44.6)
9.6
(49.3)
13.9
(57.0)
22.5
(72.5)
29.4
(84.9)
30.9
(87.6)
30.7
(87.3)
32.4
(90.3)
29.8
(85.6)
23.1
(73.6)
19.2
(66.6)
12.7
(54.9)
32.4
(90.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8)
−1.8
(28.8)
2.0
(35.6)
6.9
(44.4)
12.2
(54.0)
15.2
(59.4)
18.9
(66.0)
21.3
(70.3)
19.5
(67.1)
14.1
(57.4)
7.5
(45.5)
1.4
(34.5)
9.6
(49.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9)
−4.8
(23.4)
−1.1
(30.0)
2.9
(37.2)
7.8
(46.0)
11.5
(52.7)
15.4
(59.7)
17.8
(64.0)
15.7
(60.3)
10.1
(50.2)
4.1
(39.4)
−1.4
(29.5)
6.1
(43.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.5
(18.5)
−8.2
(17.2)
−4.3
(24.3)
−0.4
(31.3)
4.2
(39.6)
8.6
(47.5)
12.7
(54.9)
15.0
(59.0)
12.2
(54.0)
6.2
(43.2)
0.7
(33.3)
−4.4
(24.1)
2.9
(37.2)
Record low °C (°F) −15.7
(3.7)
−17.3
(0.9)
−11.7
(10.9)
−10.1
(13.8)
−1.5
(29.3)
1.0
(33.8)
5.7
(42.3)
8.7
(47.7)
5.4
(41.7)
−1.9
(28.6)
−8.9
(16.0)
−13.4
(7.9)
−17.3
(0.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 89.7
(3.53)
66.6
(2.62)
93.9
(3.70)
111.7
(4.40)
144.0
(5.67)
119.4
(4.70)
125.4
(4.94)
200.5
(7.89)
204.7
(8.06)
214.1
(8.43)
150.7
(5.93)
133.8
(5.27)
1,657.1
(65.24)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 149
(59)
119
(47)
95
(37)
38
(15)
2
(0.8)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1
(0.4)
30
(12)
114
(45)
545
(215)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 13.6 9.0 8.9 9.3 11.3 9.7 10.7 12.8 13.5 13.8 14.8 16.1 143.5
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 16.1 11.8 11.1 5.1 0.3 0 0 0 0 0.1 3.6 13.2 61.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 88.3 117.3 139.0 153.1 164.9 128.4 114.7 108.0 124.6 134.8 104.8 93.0 1,473.2
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[1][2]

Adjoining municipalities[edit]

Shibetsu
Shari District: Shari

History[edit]

  • 1901 (Meiji 34) — Uebetsu Village split from Shibetsu.
  • 1923 (Taishō 12) — Uebetsu becomes second-class municipality.
  • 1930 (Shōwa 5) — Uebetsu is renamed Rausu Village.
  • 1961 (Shōwa 36) — Rausu becomes the Rausu Town.

In 2004, there were talks held in Nakashibetsu amongst all the municipalities in the area to form one large township called East Shiretoko. Soon thereafter local residents were polled regarding the proposal. The faction in favor of this change did not receive support and thus abandoned the effort.

Local economy[edit]

Rausu's local economy consists of three main sources: the fishing industry, Shiretoko tourism, and local businesses.

Fishing industry[edit]

Rausu is primarily a fishing town. One third of residents are supported by the fishing industry. The main intake by the fishing industry consists of kichiji rockfish (Sebastolobus macrochir), Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), konbu kelp, salmon, squid, and sea urchin. Particularly famous is Rausu konbu (Rausu kelp). There is no other place in Japan to harvest sea urchin from winter to summer other than Rausu. As for agriculture, in southern Rausu there is some dairy farming, but no land suitable for growing rice, produce, or other large scale agriculture. The lumber industry does not have much of a presence either (as it does in the rest of Hokkaido). 70% of the town's land is lush mountain forest, but it is mostly a part of the Shiretoko National Park.

Local business[edit]

Rausu's second major source of economic income is not any one specific industry, but rather the mix of local retail, municipal employment, food and beverage industry, etc.

Shiretoko National Park[edit]

The third major source of revenue for Rausu is related to Shiretoko National Park. The splendor of Shiretoko’s forests and the abundance of aquatic life in the Nemuro Strait form the basis of the local tourist industry. Due to the widening of Kunashiri Highway, in recent years whale and dolphin watching have become popular in the summer, whereas viewing Steller’s sea eagle, white-tailed (sea) eagles, (earless) seals, and drift-ice are popular in the winter. These activities are usually done by chartered cruises that cater to researchers, photographers, and bird watchers. Rausu is known for fresh rockfish, early-season salmon and salmon eggs, Alaskan pollock, squid, and sea urchin. The town has many bed-and-breakfasts, lodges, onsen hotels, restaurants, and bars. There is also a roadside station that sells local Shiretoko-area products.

Local business groups[edit]

  • Rausu Deep Ocean Fishing Association
  • Rausu Fisherman’s Association

Financial institutions[edit]

  • Daichi Credit Union, Rausu branch
  • Rausu Post Office

Municipal services[edit]

Japan Post[edit]

  • Rausu Post Office (serves as a distribution point for Nakashibetsu Japan Postal Service Center hub)
  • Misaki-chō annex of the Rausu Post Office
  • Yagihama annex of the Rausu Post Office
  • Minehama limited-service mail center

Police force[edit]

Japanese military/Coast Guard presence[edit]

Due to the close proximity of Russia and potential fishing-rights disputes, the Japanese Coast Guard maintains a presence in Rausu year round. Coast Guard vessels are regularly docked in Rausu Harbor, with the personnel barracks nearby.
The Japanese Self-Defense Force maintains a permanent presence in the town.

Education system[edit]

Like most high schools in Japan, the local senior high school falls under the administration of the prefectural board of education, while the local middle and elementary schools are operated by the local board of education.

Senior high schools[edit]

Middle/junior high schools[edit]

  • Shunshō Middle School
  • Rausu Middle School
  • Chienbetsu Middle School (Closed Spring 2008 due to low population)
  • Uebetsu Middle School (Closed Spring 2010 due to low population)
  • Tobinitai Middle School (Closed Spring 2010 due to low population)

Elementary schools[edit]

The Rausu Board of Education has participated in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme since summer 1993. The JET program helps place native English speakers in both prefectural and local boards of education to work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) with the goal of developing Japan's foreign language education.

Transportation[edit]

Airports[edit]

Buses[edit]

  • There is a regional bus route from Kushiro Eki-Mae Station to the center of Rausu operated by Akan Bus. Service is limited to four round-trip journeys a day.
  • There is a line from Utoro Onsen in Shari to Rausu during the summer operated by the regional Shari Bus and Akan Bus companies.

Major roads[edit]

National highways[edit]

Prefectural highways[edit]

  • Hokkaidō Route 87 (Shiretoko National Park—Rausu Drive)

Roadside stations[edit]

Scenic and historical places[edit]

Festivals/events[edit]

Rausu observes most of the same national Japanese traditional holidays found throughout the country, such as Children's Day, Hatsumōde, etc. However, some festivals, like O-bon and Coming of Age Day are celebrated earlier due to the fishing industry and the large number of college students enrolled in schools in Honshū. Other annual festivals/events include:

  • Isaribi Festival 漁火祭り (mid-September)
  • Rausu Ekiden Race (October)
  • Rausu Art and Culture Festival (early to mid-November)
  • Middle School Sports Day (first weekend of June)
  • Elementary School Field Day (second weekend of June)
  • Shiretoko Biraki Festival 知床開き祭り (late June): a fireworks, yosakoi, and traditional dance festival celebrating summer
  • Rausu Shrine Festival 神社祭, jinja-sai (July 1–3): a Shintō mikoshi festival unique to Rausu

World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO)[edit]

  • Shiretoko Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Rausu Luminous Moss – roped-off walking path to guide visitors through this natural site
  • Rausu Geyser – marked trail/designated viewing area for visitors
  • Shiretoko Ibuki-Taru Club – percussion group that plays casks made of Chinese juniper, using wooden mallets as beaters (almost like Japanese taiko drums.)
  • Remains of the former Uebetsu Shrine – a Rausu historical site
  • Remains of Kyuuemon Kan (久右衛門の澗)

Sightseeing[edit]

  • Rausu National Park
  • Mt. Rausu
  • Shiokaze “Sea Breeze” Park – located at Rausu harbor. From here one can view the Northern Territories (now a part of Russia).
  • Luminous Moss (a protected moss-species) – the novel Hikari Goke is about this site
  • Rausu Onsen: kuma no yu, or “bear hot-spring”
  • From the television series, “Kita no Kuni Kara: 2002 Yuigon” (Japanese: 北の国から2002遺言, “From the Northern Country: Last Word 2002”) there is the restaurant Jun no Banya (also known as Kamoiunbe-gawa)
  • Seseki Onsen – an onsen on the coast that is only accessible at low tide (it is submerged at high tide). It was also used as a location in the Japanese TV drama “Kita no Kuni Kara: 2002 Yuigon”.
  • Aidomari Onsen
  • Shiretoko Point
  • Whale & dolphin watching – accessible via a variety of charted tour boats
  • Free campsites

Other[edit]

Famous people[edit]

  • Toyoshima Yukari 豊島由佳梨 – actress, singer
  • Ishii Eiji 石井英二 - nature & wildlife videographer

References[edit]

  1. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved March 3, 2022.

External links[edit]