Matsumae, Hokkaido

Matsumae (松前町, Matsumae-chō) is a town located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The former home of the Matsumae Han, it has an Edo period castle, Matsumae Castle, the only one in Hokkaido, and Ryūun-in.

This article is about the town. For the district, see Matsumae District, Hokkaido.
Matsumae

松前町
Town
Matsumae Castle (July 2004)
Flag
Location of Matsumae in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido
Matsumae
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 41°26′N 140°7′E
CountryJapan
PrefectureHokkaido
DistrictMatsumae
Government
 • MayorHideo Ishiyama (石山　英雄)
Area
 • Total293.11 km2 (113.17 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total7,843
 • Density27/km2 (69/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Postal code(s)
049-1592
Area code(s)0139
City hall addressAza Fukiyama 248, Matsumae-chō, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaidō
049-1592
Websitewww.town.matsumae.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
FlowerCherry blossom
TreePine

The total area of the town is 293.11 square kilometres (113.17 sq mi).

History
  • 1900: Fukuyama town was founded.
  • 1940: Fukuyama changed its name to Matsumae.
  • 1953: Matsumae Line opened.
  • 1954: Matsumae town, Oshima village, Osawa village, and Kojima village were merged to form Matsumae town.
  • 1988: Matsumae Line was abolished.[1]

Geography

The town is located on the southern end of the Matsumae Peninsula. In addition the town governs the two islands in the Tsugaru Strait, Oshima and Kojima.[2]

Along with Kaminokuni, Hokkaido, and Fukushima, Hokkaido, Matsumae shares a border with Mount Daisengen, and contains the newest and shortest climbing route to the summit of the mountain.[3]

Demographics

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 7,843 and a density of 26.7 persons per km2.

Culture and lifestyle

Surrounding Matsumae Castle is Matsumae Park, which features over 10,000 cherry trees of over 250 varieties, and is ranked among the top cherry blossom viewing spots in the country.[4]

Education

High school
  • Hokkaido Matsumae High School (the southernmost high school in Hokkaido)[5]

Sister cities

References
  1. Matsumae Line Archived 2015-02-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "gotyuuikudasai" (in Japanese). 松前町役場. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  3. "大千軒岳情報 ｜ 渡島総合振興局森林室西部森林室". www.oshima.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  4. "Matsumae". www.japan-guide.com. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  5. Hokkaido Matsumae High School
  6. Sister cities of Omihachiman
  7. Interaction with sister city, Matsumae
  8. Sister cities of Date

Media related to Matsumae, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons

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