Rankoshi, Hokkaido

Rankoshi 蘭越町
Town
Location of Rankoshi in Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Rankoshi Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°49′N 140°32′E / 42.817°N 140.533°ECoordinates: 42°49′N 140°32′E / 42.817°N 140.533°E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
District	Isoya
Government
• Mayor	Tomeo Miyauchi
Area
• Total	449.68 km^2 (173.62 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	5,597
• Density	12/km^2 (32/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Magnolia kobus
• Flower	Magnolia kobus
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address	258-5 Rankoshicho, Rankoshi, Isoya-gun, Hokkaido 048-1392
Website	www.town.rankoshi.hokkaido.jp

Rankoshi (蘭越町 Rankoshi-chō) is a town located in Isoya District, Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 5,597 and a density of 12 persons per km². The total area is 449.68 km².

Geography

Shiribetsu River flows through Rankoshi to the Sea of Japan. The town is surrounded by Niseko Volcanic Group, which belongs to Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park.

The name is derived from Ainu word "ranko-usi", meaning "Place with many Katsura trees".^[1]

• Mountains: Mount Raiden, Mount Mekunnai, Mount Chisenupuri, Mount Nitonupuri

Neighboring towns

• Shiribeshi Subprefecture
  • Suttsu
  • Kuromatsunai
  • Kutchan
  • Niseko
  • Iwanai
• Iburi Subprefecture
  • Toyoura

History

• 1909 Minamishiribeshi became a Second Class Village.^[2]
• 1940 Minamishiribeshi became a First Class Village.
• 1954 Minamishiribeshi Village became Rankoshi Town.
• 1955 A part of Suttsu Town was merged into Rankoshi Town.

Education

• High school
  • Hokkaido Rankoshi High School^[3]
• Junior high school
  • Rankoshi Junior High School
• Elementary school
  • Rankoshi Elementary School
  • Kombu Elementary School

Transportation

• Hakodate Main Line: Mena - Rankoshi - Konbu
• Route 5

Sister city

• Saalfelden, Salzburg, Austria (since 1967)^[4]

References

1. Outline of Rankoshi
2. History of Rankoshi
3. Hokkaido Rankoshi High School
4. Sister city

External links

• Media related to Rankoshi, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website (Japanese)