Tsukigata, Hokkaido

Tsukigata (月形町) is a town located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 3,429. The total area is 151.05 km2.

History
The town's name originates from the first warden of Kabato Prison, located in Tsukigata, Kiyoshi Tsukigata.
 * 1881: Kabato Prison established. First warden: Kiyoshi Tsukigata. Tsukigata village established.
 * 1899: Urausu village (Now, Urausu town) established as a separate entity from Tsukigata town.
 * 1953: Tsukigata village becomes Tsukigata town.
 * 1981: Tsukigata town's 100 year anniversary.
 * 1983: Establishment of Tsukigata Prison Museum.

Agricultural Produce

 * Rice, cut flowers, fruits (melons and watermelons)

Specialty Products

 * Tsukigata flowers, Tsukigata melons, Tsukigata watermelons (Godzilla egg and Dynamite varieties), Tomato Juice, Tsukigata Jingis Khan (Lamb), Tsukigata Manju, Tsukigata tofu, Kabato tofu, etc.

Train

 * Hokkaido Passenger Rail (JR Hokkaido): Gakuentoshi Line: Tsukigaoka Station, Chiraiotsu Station, Ishikari Tsukigata Station, Yutakaoka Station, Sappinai Station

Bus

 * Hokkaido Chuo Bus: Bound for Iwamizawa Terminal via. Kitamura.
 * Shinshinotsu Bus: Bound for Shinshinotsu Village via. Ebetsu Station.

Taxi

 * Haato Hire

Roads

 * General Roads: National Highway 275 (Sorachi National Highway)
 * Prefectural Roads: Hokkaido Route 6 Iwamizawa- Tsukigata;                   Hokkaido Route 11 Tsukigata- Atsuta;                    Hokkaido Route 33 Biei- Tsukigata;                    Hokkaido Route 275 Tsukigata- Minenobu;                    Hokkaido Route 376

Culture

 * Tsukigata Prison Museum
 * Record Diary of Hokkaido
 * Sewage and Water Treatment

Sightseeing

 * Kairaku Park
 * Tsukigata Hot Spring Resort
 * Tsukigata Hot Spring Annexe
 * Rural activities workshop Facilities
 * People of Hokkaido Forests (Tsukigata Branch)
 * Tsukigata Prison Museum



Mascot
Tsukigata's mascot is Berude-kun (ベルデくん). He is a cheerful green melon who is a gardener and a glasses and bag salesman. He is 201 cm high.