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About Hokuto City
Hokuto is a city located on the Oshima Peninsula in southern Hokkaido. It was formed in 2006 after the merging of Kamiiso Town and Ono Town as Hokkaido’s 35th city.
In 2016, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen opened, adding more vibrancy to the city.
- Total population
- 47,181(Basic Resident Register as of January 1, 2017.)
- Area
- 397.30㎢
■ Population density：118/㎢
■ Adjacent local governments
Hakodate City, Kikonai Town,
Assabu Town, Nanae Town, and Mori Town
- Climate
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Average yearly temperature is 9.5 degrees Celsius. Hokuto’s climate is mild with relatively small amounts of snowfall compared to other cities in Hokkaido. In addition, the average temperature in July and August is around 20 degrees Celsius, and there are only a few days where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. In summer, the climate is mild with low humidity.
- The origin of the city’s name
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The name has the meaning of becoming a star (city) (hokuto stars; the Big Dipper) that shines brightly in the northern sky (land.) The city also hopes to become a city that serves as a model for other cities, towns, and villages, as well as to glow with uniqueness without losing its personality. It is also said that Hokuto means the cluster of small stars that form a core. The two brilliant stars of Kamiiso Town and Ono Town create Hokuto as a single star with the hope of proceeding with the development of a brilliant city.
Nature in Hokuto City
Blessed with fertile soil and the warm climate of southern Hokkaido, visitors can see what nature has to offer in all four seasons.
There are countless famous spots for viewing cherry blossoms in Hokuto, and when May comes around, the city turns cherry blossom pink. Each location showcases its distinctive characteristic of cherry blossoms to entice visitors. In the evening, cherry blossom trees are illuminated to feast the eyes of visitors with dynamic beauty as a seasonal tradition in spring.
In addition, Hachironuma Park is known for beautiful seasonal changes from water lilies in summer to crimson foliage in autumn. The Kijihiki Highland affords a panoramic view of Mount Komagatake, Onuma, to Hakodate Bay. Lucky visitors can see a magnificent sea of clouds.
Hokuto City is a tourist destination where visitors can immerse themselves in natural grandeur.
Food culture in Hokuto City
Situated next to Hakodate City, Hokuto City enjoys an abundance of food from the sea and the mountains thanks to its relatively warm climate. With a rich, sweet flavor, surf clams freshly caught from Tsugaru Strait are Hokuto’s representative local specialty. Nurtured by the rough, mineral-rich seawater of Tsugaru Strait, scallops and Garou oysters are Hokuto’s popular gourmet products that offer delightful plumpness and a rich flavor.
Hokuto also offers tomatoes and other delectable farm products grown on the Ono Plain. The city is also home to special A-grade rice, Fukkurinko.
Other representative souvenirs of Hokkaido are butter and cookies made at Japan’s first Trappist Monastery situated at the base of a mountain overlooking Tsugaru Strait.
