is a town located in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 17,759. It was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

History

Shiraoi, like the rest of Hokkaido, was populated by the Ainu. According to the town's official website, the name, Shiraoi, means "rainbows" in the Ainu language.

In 1867, the Sendai domain established a fort in Shiraoi and work began on . The following year the Boshin War caused Sendai to retreat from Shiraoi and return to Sendai proper. After the revolt was put down the government dismantled the fort in 1870.

The end of the 19th century saw expansion of the town. A road was established connecting Shiraoi with Muroran, Sapporo, and Hakodate in 1873. Nineteen years later, the first railroad station was established. The villages of Shadai and Shikiu were established. Two significant events occurred during this expansion: in 1874, Mount Tarumae erupted, and in 1881, the Emperor Meiji visited.

Geography

The total area is . The town is East to West and North to South. 82% of this area is forested.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Land Use 2006

Demographics

Shiraoi has a density of 42 persons per km<sup>2</sup>.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Historic Population

|-

! Year

! Households

! Population

|-

|1899

|848

|3659

|-

|1919

|988

|4906

|-

|1920

|1906

|6312

|-

|1925

|1348

|6849

|}

Economy

In the 1930s, Shiraoi began the cultivation of mushrooms,

Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966, Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens, and a business worth ¥2.8 billion.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Shiraoi has four annual festivals:

  • Shiraoi Dosanko Winter Festival — early February
  • Shiraoi Beef Festival — early June
  • Shiraoi Port Festival — early August
  • Shiraoi Cheipu Festival — early September

Museums and other points of interest

  • The Ainu Museum, commonly known as Poroto Kotan – A natural history museum depicting a traditional Ainu village. Performers show traditional crafts and dances like the iomante rimse.
  • Ayoro Beach
  • Inkura Falls
  • Kojohama hotsprings
  • Lake Kuttara
  • Mount Horohoro

Education

Elementary schools

Source:

  • – Closed in 2016
  • – Closed in 2016
  • – Merged in 2016 with Shadai, and Midorigaoka.

Middle schools

Source:

  • Quesnel, Canada since 1981
  • Sendai, Japan since 1981
  • Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991

Sports

The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.

Notable people from Shiraoi

  • Giichi Nomura, advocate and activist for the Ainu people
  • Hiromi Yamamoto, speed skater

References

  • Official Website
  • The Ainu Museum Website