| population | 6,881 peoples |
|---|---|
| area | 773.13 km² |
| population density | 8.9 peoples/km² |
Located in eastern Hokkaido along the Pacific Ocean, Shiranuka Town is a community rich in nature, history, and culture. The town’s name comes from the Ainu word “sirar-ika-p,” meaning “a place where the tide crosses the rocks.” During Japan’s frontier development era, the town flourished with fishing and coal mining, and today it thrives on dairy farming, fisheries, and food processing industries. Shiranuka is also well known as the origin of the red perilla used in the famous shiso-based liquor Tantakatan, and for its branded fish product “Gokkan Buri”—yellowtail caught in the frigid northern sea. The area offers gentle coastal scenery, rural landscapes, and a calm way of life that harmonizes with the surrounding nature. Locals often speak the Hokkaido dialect, and traditional community festivals keep the pioneering spirit alive. With its mixture of ocean, mountains, and heartwarming people, Shiranuka represents the charm of rural Hokkaido at its finest.
Cultural Traditions
Shiranuka’s history dates back to the Edo period, when it was established as the Shiranuka Basho fishing area under the Matsumae Domain. The community later developed through agriculture and coal mining during the Meiji era. Today, dairy farming and fisheries form the backbone of the local economy. The town is also an important center for Ainu heritage preservation — the Shiranuka Ainu Cultural Preservation Society maintains traditional Ainu Ancient Dance, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Seasonal festivals highlight the town’s strong sense of community. The “Minato in Shiranuka Great Fishing Festival” held every June celebrates the sea’s bounty with seafood sales and performances. Autumn brings the New Rice Festival and the Shiranuka Town Cultural Festival, where residents showcase local arts and crafts. In winter, the Shiranuka Winter Festival fills the town with snow sculptures and illumination, offering visitors a taste of the northern charm. Through these traditions, residents continue to celebrate a life deeply connected to both land and sea.
Local Specialties
- Gokkan Buri (Winter Yellowtail): A premium brand of yellowtail caught off the Shiranuka coast and processed under freezing conditions to lock in flavor. Popular as a hometown tax (furusato nozei) gift item.
- Tantaka Red Perilla: Cultivated in the Tannaka district, this aromatic red shiso leaf is the key ingredient of the well-known Japanese liquor Tantakatan. The fresh scent symbolizes Shiranuka’s clean air and soil.
- Shiranuka Cheese: Made from fresh local milk, Shiranuka’s natural cheese has a rich and creamy taste. It can be purchased at Michi-no-Eki Shiranuka Koitoi.
- Smelt (Shishamo): Once a staple of the local fishing industry, wild-caught shishamo remains a prized delicacy today, grilled and enjoyed during the autumn season.
- Shiranuka Honey: Collected from flowers blooming in Shiranuka’s forests and meadows, this honey offers a deep and pure taste that reflects the richness of the local ecosystem.
Annual Events
- Shiranuka Sakura Festival (May): A spring celebration featuring blooming cherry blossoms and food stalls. Locals and visitors gather to enjoy the first warmth of the season.
- Minato in Shiranuka Great Fishing Festival (Late June): Held at Shiranuka Port, this is the town’s biggest event with seafood markets, stage performances, and oceanfront festivities.
- Coming Paradise (Mid-September): A lively outdoor music and gourmet festival held along Humming Road, the town’s scenic main street near Shiranuka Station.
- Shiranuka Town Cultural Festival (November): Residents showcase performing arts, local crafts, and exhibitions celebrating community spirit and creativity.
- Shiranuka Winter Festival (February): A snow festival with sculptures, illuminations, and winter activities for families. A highlight of the cold season in eastern Hokkaido.
Access
- By Air: The nearest airport is Kushiro Airport, about 40 minutes by car. Direct flights operate from Tokyo (Haneda) and other major cities.
- By Train: Take the JR Nemuro Main Line to Shiranuka Station. It’s about 30 minutes from Kushiro Station and 90 minutes from Obihiro.
- By Bus: Kushiro Bus operates direct routes between Kushiro Station and Shiranuka Town, taking approximately one hour.
- By Car: Accessible via the Doto Expressway. Exit at Shiranuka IC or Shoro IC. About 40 minutes from Kushiro City and 90 minutes from Obihiro.
- By Rental Car: Cars are available at Kushiro Airport and Kushiro City. Follow National Route 38 westward along the coastline to reach Shiranuka.
Tourist Attractions
- Michi-no-Eki Shiranuka Koitoi – A roadside station offering local products, ocean views, and the popular “Koitoi Soft Cream.”
- Fudō Falls – A stunning waterfall on the upper Shoro River surrounded by lush forests. A favorite for photographers and hikers.
- Humming Road – The town’s main avenue lined with shops and sculptures, designated Japan’s first “Excellent Advertising Landscape District.”
- Cape Forest Higashiyama Park – A scenic hilltop park offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Shiranuka townscape.
- Bashikuru Nature Park – A nature park near Manutokoro-numa (Bashikuru Marsh), ideal for camping and outdoor walks.
- Green Lake Shoro – A dam lake formed by the Shoro Dam. Great for fishing, canoeing, and seasonal birdwatching.
