Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido

Kitahiroshima (北広島市) is a city located in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. "Kita" is the Japanese word for "north", so the town's name, Kitahiroshima-shi, is translated as "North-Hiroshima city" or "city of North-Hiroshima".

As of July 31, 2023, the city had an estimated population of 57,019, with 27,221 households, and the density of 479 persons per km². The total area is 119.05 km2.

History
On September 1, 1996, Hiroshima town was reorganized to promote city status, but Hiroshima city already existed, on the west of Honshu island. Therefore, Hiroshima was renamed to Kitahiroshima on that day.
 * 1884: 25 families, 107 people migrated from Hiroshima.
 * 1894: Hiroshima village was founded.
 * 1968: Hiroshima village became Hiroshima town.
 * 1996: Hiroshima town became Hiroshima city and was renamed Kitahiroshima.

Private

 * Seisa Dohto University (星槎道都大学) (Seisa Dohto University Official website（星槎道都大学公式サイト）)

Public

 * Hokkaido Kitahiroshima High School
 * Hokkaido Kitahiroshima Nishi High School

Private

 * Sapporo Nihon University High School

Rail

 * Chitose Line: Kita-Hiroshima

Road
It is accessed by routes 36, 274 and the expressway interchange in the west. In 1981, the bypass of route 274 was opened and the bypass of route 36 was opened in 1986. The urban sprawl of the Sapporo area in the western part of the city is bypassed.

Sports
The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball moved into the new Es Con Field Hokkaido in March 2023. The Fighters had previously played in the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, but moved to Kita-Hiroshima after disagreements with Sapporo City Consul about Sapporo Dome rental fees and needed Upgrades.

The Sapporo-Eniwa Cycle Road follows the route of the decommissioned Chitose Railway Line from Sapporo City to Kitahiroshima, making it suitable for recreational and professional cyclists alike.

Near the Kitahiroshima Classe Hotel, tennis and golf are popular summer activities, while skiing and tobogganing is available in the winter months.

Mascot
Kitahiroshima's mascot is Maippy (まいピー) is a 10-year-old energetic rice. She is from Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima (it is the same place where rice farmer Kuzo Nakayama studied the science of cold rice). As a result, she can communicate with not just the ghost of Kuzo Nakayama's but also the ghosts of other people. She is the mascot of the Kitahiroshima City Society of Commerce and Industry. However, as a result of her getting a resident card, she became the mascot of the whole city as a whole. She likes running on Elfin Road while researching nature. Though sporty, she does not have fast reflexes. Her hair is her charm point. As red is her favourite colour, she collects red ribbons. She has a sweet tooth, and her favourite sweet is strawberry cream puff.

Twinnings

 * 🇯🇵 Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture

Notable people

 * Satoru Noda
 * Sakura Koiwai