As of February 29, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 4,287, with 2,296 households, and a density of 76.57 persons per km2. The total area is 55.99 km2.
History
It was formerly a prosperous coal mining city, but has declined greatly since the closing of the coal mines. The population hit a maximum of 46,000 in 1948.
Efforts to transform Utashinai from a gritty coal mining town to an alpinetourist destination have met with mixed success. The town has adopted a Swiss theme as part of its tourist oriented strategy, and many new buildings are Swisschalet style. A medium-sized ski hill, Kamoidake, attracts a decent crowd of locals and hosts frequent ski meets, while a hot spring resort called Tyrol, after the Austrian region, is known throughout Hokkaido for the quality of its water. However, despite these new projects, Utashinai continues to experience population decline and economic stagnation. The high school closed in 2007, with students now traveling to Sunagawa, Akabira or Takikawa for their secondary education.
1890 Sorachi Coal Mine opened, founding of Utashinai.
1897 Utashinai Village split away from Nae Village (now the city of Sunagawa)
1949 Part of the town splits off into Kamisunagawa Town.
July 1, 1958 Utashinai becomes a city.
1971 Sumitomo closes Utashinai Mine
1988 Kamiutashinai Mine closed
1995 Sorachi Mine closed
2003 Mid-Sorachi Merger Conference established
2004 Merger Conference disbanded.
Geography
Penkeutashunai River, a tributary of Ishikari River, flows through Utashinai. There is Mount Kamoi on the northwest of the city.
Name
The name is derived from the Ainuota-us-nay (オタウㇱナイ) meaning "River connected to a sandy beach".[1]
References
^アイヌ語地名リスト(PDF) (in Japanese). Office of Ainu Measures Promotion, Department of Environment and Lifestyle, Hokkaido Government. Retrieved January 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
