Shibecha Town
Eastern Hokkaido
690 Fans
A dairy town where cranes dance and a steam train crosses the Kushiro Wetlands
Population：6,800
Shibecha is a vast town with a population of about 7,900, located in the central part of Kushiro Subprefecture, Hokkaido. About half of its total area is occupied by rich forests and wetlands, and it boasts some of Japan's most magnificent and overwhelming nature, surrounded by two national parks: "Kushiro Shitsugen" to the south and "Akan" to the north. Access from surrounding cities and airports is also good, allowing you to fully experience the grand-scale landscapes typical of Hokkaido.
In particular, about 43 percent of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park on the southern side is located within the town's boundaries, making it a paradise for the Special Natural Monument, the red-crowned crane, and other precious flora and fauna. From the Kottaro Wetland Observatory, you can overlook a grand panorama that retains the breath of primeval nature, and on canoe tours departing from Lake Toro, famous for its smelt fishing, you can experience the rich nature firsthand with the guidance of a canoe guide. Furthermore, in winter, Hokkaido's only "SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train" powerfully runs through the snowfields, captivating many people.
The primary industry is dairy farming, which utilizes the vast land, creating a pastoral countryside landscape where about 40,000 dairy cows, a number greatly exceeding the human population, live leisurely. The town is also a water source area, with underground water from Lake Mashu and the clear stream of the Nishibetsu River. Through activities such as tree planting, the town is carefully promoting sustainable community development where the environment and industry harmonize.
