Bihoro (美幌町, Bihoro-chō) is a town located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The name is derived from the Ainu word piporo, meaning "place of much water".

Bihoro
美幌町
Town
Bihoro Town Hall
Bihoro Town Hall
Flag of Bihoro
Official seal of Bihoro
Location of Bihoro in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Location of Bihoro in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Bihoro is located in Japan
Bihoro
Bihoro
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°49′30″N 144°6′20″E / 43.82500°N 144.10556°E / 43.82500; 144.10556
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
DistrictAbashiri
Government
 • MayorTsuchiya Kōji (土谷耕治)
Area
 • Total
438.36 km2 (169.25 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
 • Total
20,920
 • Density48/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2 Chōme 25 Banchi, Aza Higashi 2 Jō Kita, Bihoro-chō, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaidō
092-8650
ClimateDfb
Websitewww.town.bihoro.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
FlowerRhododendron dauricum
TreeTaxus cuspidata

Largely agricultural, the town is best known for the Bihoro Pass, which has views over Lake Kussharo in the Akan National Park.

One of its attractions is Bihoro Aviation Park, which contains a number of aircraft previously used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 20,920, and a population density of 48 persons per km2. The total area is 438.36 km2.

History

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  • 1915: Bihoro Village founded.
  • 1919: Tsubetsu Village (津別村), now Tsubetsu Town, split.
  • 1921: Part of Tsubetsu Village incorporated.
  • 1923: Bihoro Village becomes Bihoro Town.
  • 1946: Part of Memanbetsu Village (now Memanbetsu Town) incorporated.
  • 1953: Bihoro song, Toru Takemitsu.

Climate

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Climate data for Bihoro (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.4
(47.1)
10.8
(51.4)
17.1
(62.8)
31.5
(88.7)
37.4
(99.3)
37.2
(99.0)
37.0
(98.6)
36.5
(97.7)
33.6
(92.5)
26.2
(79.2)
21.0
(69.8)
15.6
(60.1)
37.4
(99.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −2.7
(27.1)
−1.9
(28.6)
2.7
(36.9)
10.2
(50.4)
16.9
(62.4)
20.4
(68.7)
23.8
(74.8)
24.9
(76.8)
21.6
(70.9)
15.4
(59.7)
7.7
(45.9)
0.2
(32.4)
11.6
(52.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −8.3
(17.1)
−7.9
(17.8)
−2.5
(27.5)
4.3
(39.7)
10.2
(50.4)
14.4
(57.9)
18.3
(64.9)
19.6
(67.3)
15.8
(60.4)
9.2
(48.6)
2.2
(36.0)
−5.4
(22.3)
5.8
(42.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −14.9
(5.2)
−15.1
(4.8)
−8.6
(16.5)
−1.5
(29.3)
4.1
(39.4)
9.2
(48.6)
13.8
(56.8)
15.2
(59.4)
10.5
(50.9)
3.1
(37.6)
−3.1
(26.4)
−11.4
(11.5)
0.1
(32.2)
Record low °C (°F) −30.2
(−22.4)
−31.2
(−24.2)
−27.2
(−17.0)
−15.1
(4.8)
−5.2
(22.6)
−1.9
(28.6)
2.4
(36.3)
5.7
(42.3)
−0.5
(31.1)
−5.6
(21.9)
−17.4
(0.7)
−23.9
(−11.0)
−31.2
(−24.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 40.2
(1.58)
27.4
(1.08)
33.1
(1.30)
49.3
(1.94)
58.5
(2.30)
66.4
(2.61)
90.9
(3.58)
122.1
(4.81)
117.5
(4.63)
79.8
(3.14)
44.8
(1.76)
48.4
(1.91)
778.6
(30.65)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 9.5 7.5 8.5 9.7 10.1 10.5 11.2 11.2 11.4 9.6 8.8 9.2 117.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 116.2 131.2 163.5 168.5 177.3 164.4 158.1 157.9 155.7 158.2 131.5 125.2 1,807.8
Source: JMA[1][2]

Mascot

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Gyutaro, the town's mascot

Bihoro's mascot is Gyutaro (ぎゅうたろう). He is a gentle and shy black bull. He always sticks his tongue out whenever anyone praises him. His left biceps is shaped like the Bihoro Pass. He wears a sports scarf. This scarf (which resembled a river) contains energy to power his left biceps to give strength to lift or push stuff or to give an extra punch to his enemies. Without it, he will be weak. He eats vegetables to keep his biceps in shape. He has a father and mother, Gyuou (ぎゅうおう) and Gyuko (ぎゅうこ). He likes taking walks but does not like hunting. His birthday is July 19.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  2. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  3. ^ "ゆるキャラ「ぎゅうたろう」くんプロフィール". Bihoro.
  4. ^ "きよっぴ (北海道)". Yuru-Chara Grand Prix.
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