Mashike, Hokkaido

Mashike
増毛町
Town
Flag of Mashike
Official seal of Mashike
Location of Mashike in Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
Location of Mashike in Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
Mashike is located in Japan
Mashike
Mashike
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°51′N 141°32′E / 43.850°N 141.533°E / 43.850; 141.533
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
DistrictMashike
First official recorded1706 AD
Town settledJuly 1, 1900
Government
 • MayorMasashi Hori (from February 2015)
Area
 • Total369.64 km2 (142.72 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)
 • Total3,687
 • Density10.0/km2 (26/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
ClimateDfb
Websitewww.town.mashike.hokkaido.jp

Mashike (増毛町, Mashike-chō) is a town located in Rumoi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 4,634 and a density of 13 persons per km2. The total area is 369.64 km2.

Mashike's main distinction is the sake brewery Kunimare, which is well known throughout Hokkaido. Mashike also has several fruit farms, and it is easy to buy directly from the farmers.

Mashike was the terminus of the JR Hokkaido Rumoi Main Line which ran from Fukagawa, but the section of the line between Rumoi and Mashike was closed on 4 December 2016, owing to declining passenger use.

Mashike has a small ski resort with only two lifts, although it is the biggest one in Rumoi District. Driving further up into the mountains from the ski resort is Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park and Mt. Shokanbetsu (1491 meters). Camping facilities are available in the park.

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Mashike (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9)
15.0
(59.0)
17.5
(63.5)
27.7
(81.9)
32.4
(90.3)
29.8
(85.6)
33.6
(92.5)
34.2
(93.6)
33.5
(92.3)
24.0
(75.2)
22.0
(71.6)
15.9
(60.6)
34.2
(93.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7)
−0.2
(31.6)
3.5
(38.3)
9.9
(49.8)
15.6
(60.1)
19.0
(66.2)
23.0
(73.4)
24.7
(76.5)
21.6
(70.9)
15.5
(59.9)
8.1
(46.6)
1.7
(35.1)
11.8
(53.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1)
−3.0
(26.6)
0.5
(32.9)
6.0
(42.8)
11.4
(52.5)
15.4
(59.7)
19.5
(67.1)
20.9
(69.6)
17.4
(63.3)
11.5
(52.7)
4.9
(40.8)
−1.0
(30.2)
8.4
(47.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6.4
(20.5)
−6.4
(20.5)
−3.0
(26.6)
1.9
(35.4)
7.1
(44.8)
11.8
(53.2)
16.3
(61.3)
17.3
(63.1)
13.3
(55.9)
7.5
(45.5)
1.7
(35.1)
−3.7
(25.3)
4.8
(40.6)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−16.3
(2.7)
−15.1
(4.8)
−7.1
(19.2)
−1.7
(28.9)
2.4
(36.3)
7.4
(45.3)
9.5
(49.1)
4.5
(40.1)
−1.3
(29.7)
−7.7
(18.1)
−16.3
(2.7)
−17.4
(0.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 79.5
(3.13)
52.2
(2.06)
48.2
(1.90)
42.1
(1.66)
54.6
(2.15)
54.4
(2.14)
104.3
(4.11)
121.6
(4.79)
143.4
(5.65)
142.3
(5.60)
145.6
(5.73)
98.0
(3.86)
1,085.9
(42.75)
Average rainy days 17.0 12.9 11.7 9.9 9.8 8.5 9.2 10.5 13.0 14.7 18.0 18.3 153.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 38.1 62.2 127.0 179.4 206.7 176.3 172.5 176.9 168.7 121.3 52.6 28.2 1,509.9
Source 1: JMA[1]
Source 2: JMA[2]

Mascot

[edit]
Mercy-kun, the town's mascot

Mashike's mascot is Mercy-kun (マーシーくん) who is a shy sailor seagull. He is known to protect anyone (especially children). His get his energy from eating shrimp, cherries, apples and sake. His charm point is his eyes which allows him to sense any incoming danger. He is unveiled on July 1, 1990.[3][4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  2. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "増毛町マスコットキャラクター かもめのマーシーくん". National Association of Towns and Villages.
  4. ^ "マーシーくん". Japan Local-Characters Association.
[edit]