Takikawa, Hokkaido

Takikawa (滝川市, Takikawa-shi) is a city located in the Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Takikawa

滝川市
City
Takikawa City Hall
Flag
Emblem
Location of Takikawa in Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Takikawa
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°33′N 141°55′E
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Government
 • MayorKōkichi Maeda (since April 2011)
Area
 • Total115.90 km2 (44.75 sq mi)
Population
 (December 2016)
 • Total41,306
 • Density360/km2 (920/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1-2-15, Ōmachi, Takikawa-shi, Hokkaidō
073-8686
Websitewww.city.takikawa.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
FlowerAzalea and Cosmos
TreePlatanus

Takikawa City is located in the central area of Hokkaido, it is conveniently located between the cities of Sapporo (biggest city) and Asahikawa (the second biggest city). Takikawa has an inland climate which causes great temperature difference between summer and winter. The average temperature in Takikawa is about 19 degrees Celsius in summer, and –5.9 degrees Celsius (21.4 Fahrenheit) in winter. Takikawa is one of the snowiest locations in Hokkaido, the average amount of snowfall in the past 10 years is 7.77 meters (25 feet, 6 inches).

Takikawa is also the biggest city in northern Sorachi, making it a hub for neighboring towns. Takikawa is situated between the Ishikari River and Sorachi River, about 60 percent of Takikawa is covered in greenery by either forest or agriculture farmland. Takikawa is surrounded by rich nature.

As of December, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 41,306, with 21,561 households. The total area is 115.82 km2.

Origin of the name

The name of Takikawa City originates from the Ainu Language Sorapuchi which means "area under the waterfall". Also, along the mid-streams of Sorachi River, there is a difference in level which creates a mini waterfall, so the Ainu people have called it Sorapuchipetsu (Taki no kawa) which translates to Waterfall River, since then, the area has been called Takikawa.

History

In 1890, under the ordinance of Hokkaido Prefectural Government, Takikawa Village was established to be a transportation hub to support the coal production of the neighbouring towns.

  • 1890 - Takikawa Village opened.
  • 1906 - Takikawa becomes a Second Class Municipality.
  • 1909 - Takikawa becomes a First Class Municipality. Ebeotsu Village splits off.
  • 1910 - Takikawa Village becomes Takikawa Town.
  • 1952 - Ebeotsu Village becomes Ebeotsu Town.
  • July 1, 1958 - Takikawa Town becomes Takikawa City.
  • 1971 - Ebeotsu Town merged.

Sightseeing

Lantern Festival

The event was founded by Igarashi Takenobu, an artist born in Takikawa with the goal of giving people the joy of crafting their own piece of artwork.

It is an annual event that happens every Winter in Takikawa, and involves the hand crafting of lanterns by attendees


Nanohana Festival

Nanohana (English: canola flowers) is a local food festival where signature dishes of the region can be tasted. The specialty of Takikawa is Jingisukan, a grilled mutton dish.

The festival is held in Spring.

Places

Takikawa Sky Park /Takikawa Sky Museum

Takikawa Sky Park is located along the river bed of Ishikari River.

Fureai no Sato-onsen

A public outdoor hot spring.

Takikawa Art and Natural History Museum

The museum contains both local and foreign art and artefacts.

Takikawa Regional History Center

A museum dedicated to the history of Takikawa.

Children's Science Museum

Maruka Highlands-Cloud Terrace (Unkai)

A hill with scenic views of the city, popular for its panoramas.

“Unkai” is the Japanese word for "sea of clouds".

B&G Canoe and Yacht Center

Yacht and canoe rental and lessons.

Matsuo Jingisukan BBQ

A popular restaurant in the city that specialises in Jingisukan.

Transportation

High schools
  • Hokkaido Takikawa High School
  • Hokkaido Takikawa Technical High School
  • Hokkaido Takikawa Nishi High School (Municipal)

Sister cities

References
  1. Sister cities of Takikawa
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2012-04-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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