Takinoue, Hokkaido



Takinoue (滝上町) is a town located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 30, 2016, the town has an estimated population of 2,757 and a population density of 3.6 persons per km². The total area is 766.89 km².

In the Ainu language, the Takinoue area is called Ponkamuikotan which roughly translates to "Village of the Small Gods." The name Takinoue, which literally means "Above the Waterfall," originates from the first Japanese settlers who founded the city upstream from a waterfall.

Takinoue is famous for its mint production and produces 95% of the mint available in Japan. Currently there is about 10 hectors (25 acres) of land dedicated to mint farming.

Takinoue Park is famous for Shibazakura or Pink Moss. The 10,000 m² park attracts thousands of visitors every year between May and June when the flowers are in full bloom.

Geography
Takinoue is surrounded on three sides by mountains. It shares the fourth side with Monbetsu City.
 * Mountains: Mt. Wenshiri (1,142m / 0.71 mi); Mt. Kitami-Fuji (1,306m / 0.81 mi); Mt. Teshio (1,558m / 0.97 mi)
 * Major Rivers: Shokotsu River; Sakuru River; Oshiraneppu River

History

 * 1918 - Takinoue Village splits from Shokotsu Village and becomes a second-class municipality under the Monbetsu District.
 * 1947 - Takinoue Village becomes Takinoue Town.
 * The National Land Agency awards Takinoue 2nd place in the nation for quality of farmed products.

Economy
Takinoue's key industries are forestry, dairy farming, and dry-crop farming.

Agriculture

 * Okhotsk Hamanasu Agricultural Cooperative, Takinoue Branch

Banking institutions

 * Kitami Credit Union, Takinoue Branch

Postal services

 * Takinoue Post Office (Japan Postal Service Center distribution point)
 * Nigorikawa Post Office
 * Takinishi Post Office

Police

 * Takinoue Police Department (a sub-station of Monbetsu Police Department)

Sister cities
Takinoue is twinned with Ochi Town in Kōchi Prefecture.

High schools

 * Hokkaido Takinoue High School

Junior high schools

 * Takinoue Junior High School

Elementary schools

 * Takinoue Elementary School
 * Nigorikawa Elementary School
 * Takinishi Elementary School- closed 2014
 * Shiratori Elementary School- closed 2013

Airports

 * Monbetsu Airport
 * Asahikawa Airport

Rail
Takinoue has no rail services.

Bus

 * Hokumon Bus - Local routes run from Takinoue to Monbetsu
 * Hokkaido Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, and Dohoku Bus lines run from Takinoue to Asahikawa and Sapporo

Prefectural Highways

 * Hokkaidō Route 61 (Shibetsu - Takinoue)
 * Hokkaidō Route 137 (Engaru - Takinoue)
 * Hokkaidō Route 617 (Oshiraneppu - Nigorikawa)
 * Hokkaidō Route 828 (Shiratori - Takinoue)
 * Hokkaidō Route 932 (Kamishokotsu - Takinoue)
 * Hokkaidō Route 996 (Kamishokotsu - Takinoue)

Sightseeing

 * Ukushima Wetlands
 * Karinosato Herb Garden
 * Kinsenkyo Gorge Walking Path
 * Takinoue Park (Shibazakura)
 * Yoshokuen Botanical Garden

Festivals

 * Shibazakura Festival (May - June)
 * Summer Festival of Love (mid August)

Mascot
Takinoue's mascot is Pikoro (ピコロ). She is a sakura fairy. Using her sakura wand, she can grant anyone wishes. She is also known to make music. She is unveiled in 1991.