Engaru, Hokkaido
Engaru (遠軽町, Engaru-chō) is a town in the Okhotsk subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The name comes from the Ainu place name Inkar-us-i ("overlook-always doing-place"), meaning a lookout point.
Engaru
遠軽町 | |
|---|---|
Town | |
The town view from Gambōiwa | |
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Flag Emblem | |
Location of Engaru in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture) | |
Engaru Location in Japan Engaru Location in Hokkaido | |
| Coordinates: 44°4′N 143°32′E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Hokkaido |
| Prefecture | Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture) |
| District | Mombetsu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,332.32 km2 (514.41 sq mi) |
| Population (September 30, 2016) | |
| • Total | 20,757 |
| • Density | 16/km2 (40/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | 1-1 1 Jō-Kita 3chōme, Engaru-chō, Hokkaido 099-0403 |
| Climate | Dfb |
| Website | engaru |
| Symbols | |
| Flower | Sunflower |
| Tree | Sargent's cherry |
On October 1, 2005, the towns of Ikutahara and Maruseppu, and the village of Shirataki, all from Monbetsu District merged into the expanded town of Engaru. As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 20,757. The total area is 1,332.32 square kilometres (514.41 sq mi), making it the fifth largest municipality in Hokkaido.
Engaru is known as the place where Aikido originated, in the Shirataki area. It is also where the largest cosmos flower park in Japan is located. An Upper Paleolithic site at Shirataki Site Group is the source of some Yubetsu technique stone blades dating from approximately 13,000 years ago.