Mashike, Hokkaido

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

Mashike 増毛町
Town
Flag Emblem
Location of Mashike in Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
Mashike Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°51′N 141°32′E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
District	Mashike
Area
• Total	369.64 km2 (142.72 sq mi)
Population  (September 30, 2016)
• Total	4,634
• Density	13/km2 (32/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
Website	www.town.mashike.hokkaido.jp

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 is a small but charming town. Its main distinction is the sake brewery Kunimare, which is very 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 2 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.