Iwamizawa

Iwamizawa (岩見沢市) is a city in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital of Sorachi Subprefecture.

As of July 31, 2023, the city had an estimated population of 75,949 and the density of 158 persons per km2. The total area is 481.02 km2.

On March 27, 2006, the town of Kurisawa, and the village of Kita (both from Sorachi District, Sorachi Subprefecture) merged into Iwamizawa.

History
The name of "Iwamizawa" is derived from Japanese word "Yuamisawa" (浴澤).Yuami (浴) and sawa (澤) means "Bathing" and "A swamp".

Iwamizawa was developed as a hub of land transportation around Iwamizawa Station.


 * 1906 - Iwamizawa village became Iwamizawa town.
 * 1943 - Iwamizawa town became Iwamizawa city.
 * 2006 - Kurisawa town and Kita village were merged into Iwamizawa city.

Climate
Iwamizawa has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

Rail
In the past, Horonai Line and Manji Line ran from Iwamizawa.
 * Hakodate Main Line : Horomui - Kami-Horomui - Iwamizawa
 * Muroran Main Line : Kurioka - Kurisawa - Shibun - Iwamizawa

Road

 * Hokkaidō Expressway : Iwamizawa IC
 * Route 12

Universities

 * Hokkaido University of Education, Iwamizawa Campus

High schools

 * Hokkaido Iwamizawa Higashi High School
 * Hokkaido Iwamizawa Nishi High School
 * Hokkaido Iwamizawa Agricultural High School
 * Hokkaido Iwamizawa Ryokuryo High School

Mascot
Iwamizawa's mascot is Iwami-chan (いわみちゃん). He is a playful onion who likes food. He is unveiled on 3 October 2010. He is assisted by Kuri-chan (クリちゃん) who is a female squirrel from Kurisawa.

Religion

 * Iwamizawa Jinja, a Shinto shrine

Sister cities

 * 🇺🇸 Pocatello, Idaho - The city was founded on April 1, 1943. Youth delegates are often sent from one to the other.
 * 🇺🇸 Canby, Oregon