Located in the southwestern part of the Sorachi region of Hokkaido, Tsukigata is a nature-rich town with a population of approximately 2,600. It has a history of being established in 1881 as the first village in the Sorachi jurisdiction, following the opening of the Kabato Shujikan (a prison). It is about a one-hour drive from the major city of Sapporo. For public transportation, visitors can access the town by taking a route bus transferring from the JR Gakuentoshi Line, or a bus from Iwamizawa Station.
It has a continental climate with significant day-and-night temperature differences, offering vibrant seasonal changes. While summers are relatively warm, winters bring extremely heavy snowfall, designating it as a "special heavy snowfall area." This harsh cold, combined with abundant water sources flowing from the mountains, enriches the fertile land and serves as the source for growing delicious agricultural products.
The main industry is agriculture, with a focus on high-quality rice, as well as fruits and vegetables like melons, watermelons, and tomatoes, and floriculture. In terms of tourism, the "Tsukigata Kabato Museum," utilizing the former main building, allows visitors to deeply learn about the prison's history that laid the town's foundation. With Kairaku Park for camping and "Tsukigata Onsen Yurikago" offering alternating large baths, it is a town where you can enjoy historical romance, natural healing, and rich food.