Shiraoi, Hokkaido

Shiraoi (白老町) is a town located in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 17,759. It was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

History
Shiraoi, like the rest of Hokkaido, was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means Rainbows in the Ainu language. Other sources state that the name comes from Shiraunai meaning Horse-flies.

In 1867, the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on Shiogama Shrine (塩釜神社). The following year the Boshin War caused Sendai to retreat from Shiraoi and return to Sendai proper. After the revolt was put down the government dismantled the fort in 1870.

The end of the 19th century saw expansion of the town. A road was established connecting Shiraoi with Muroran, Sapporo, and Hakodate in 1873. Nineteen years later, the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu were established. Two significant events occurred during this expansion: in 1874, Mount Tarumae erupted, and in 1881, the Emperor Meiji visited.

Geography
The total area is 425.72 km2. The town is 28.0 km East to West and 26.4 km North to South. 82% of this area is forested.

Shiraoi is crossed by a number of rivers running from the mountains like Mount Horohoro to the Pacific Ocean. These include:
 * Shadai River
 * Shiraoi River
 * Shikyu River
 * Betsubetsu River

Mount Horohoro and Lake Kuttara are part of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Lake Poroto is also in the area.

Climate
Shiraoi has an oceanic climate, mild when compared to the rest of Hokkaido. The annual temperature ranges between the extremes of 33.3 C and -20.8 C. The average annual temperature is 7.2 C. Shiraoi receives 1660 mm of precipitation annually. This only results in 103 cm of snow annually. In a typical year, the snow lingers for 80 days. Accumulated snow rarely exceeding 44 cm. Wind velocity averages merely 1.6 m/s, that is less than half of the neighboring Tomakomai and Muroran.

Demographics
Shiraoi has a density of 42 persons per km2.

Economy
In the 1930s, Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms, such as Shiitake, and mullet roe (or karasumi) at Kojohama. Shiraoi imported the knowledge of mullet roe production from Iwanai.

Shiraoi has been involved in the harvest of marine products such as the Horsehair crab and konbu. Because of dwindling resources, harvesting of hair crab has been reduced to a test operation from the middle of July until the middle of August.

Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966, Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens, and a business worth ¥2.8 billion.

Annual cultural events
Shiraoi has four annual festivals:
 * Shiraoi Dosanko Winter Festival — early February
 * Shiraoi Beef Festival — early June
 * Shiraoi Port Festival — early August
 * Shiraoi Cheipu Festival — early September

Museums and other points of interest

 * The Ainu Museum, commonly known as Poroto Kotan – A natural history museum depicting a traditional Ainu village. Performers show traditional crafts and dances like the iomante rimse.
 * Lake Kuttara
 * Inkura Falls
 * Mount Horohoro
 * Ayoro Beach
 * Ruin of the Sendai Domain Shiraoi Founding Encampment Historical Landmark (史跡仙台藩白老元陣屋跡)
 * Sendai Domain Shiraoi Founding Encampment Resource Center (仙台藩白老元陣屋資料館)
 * Kojohama hotsprings

Education
===Elementary schools ===
 * Shiraoi Elementary School (白老小学校) - Merged in 2016 with Shadai, and Midorigaoka.
 * Shadai Elementary School (社台小学校) - Closed in 2016
 * Midorigaoka Elementary School (緑丘小学校) - Closed in 2016
 * Hagino Elementary School (萩野小学校)
 * Takeura Elementary School (竹浦小学校)
 * Kojō Elementary School (虎杖小学校)

Middle schools

 * Shiraoi Middle School (白老中学校)
 * Hakusho Middle School (白翔中学校)
 * Hagino Middle School (萩野中学校) - Closed in 2013, now site of Hakusho Middle School
 * Takeura Middle School (竹浦中学校) - Closed in 2013
 * Kojō Middle School (虎杖中学校) - Closed in 2013

Other schools

 * Education Support Center (教育支援センター)

Transportation
Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line:
 * Kojōhama
 * Takeura
 * Kita-yoshihara
 * Hagino
 * Shiraoi
 * Shadai

Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies:
 * Donan bus Co., Ltd
 * Hokkaido Chuo Bus Co., Ltd.

Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways:
 * Hokkaidō Expressway
 * Interchange at Shiraoi
 * Parking area at Hagino
 * National highways:
 * Japan National Route 36
 * Prefectural roads:
 * Hokkaidō Highway 86
 * Hokkaidō Highway 350
 * Hokkaidō Highway 388
 * Hokkaidō Highway 701
 * Hokkaidō Highway 1045

Sister cities
Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships:
 * 🇨🇦 Quesnel, Canada since 1981
 * 🇯🇵 Sendai, Japan since 1981
 * 🇯🇵 Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991

Sports
The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.

Notable people from Shiraoi

 * Giichi Nomura, advocate and activist for the Ainu people
 * Hiromi Yamamoto, speed skater