Biratori, Hokkaidō

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Biratori 平取町
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Location of Biratori in Hokkaidō (Hidaka)
Biratori
Coordinates: 42°35′N 142°8′E / 42.583°N 142.133°E / 42.583; 142.133
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō (Hidaka)
District	Saru
Government
- Mayor	Yoshiteru Nakamichi
Area
- Total	743.16 km2 (286.9 sq mi)
Population (March 2008)	5,909
- Density	7.95/km2 (20.6/sq mi)
City Symbols
- Tree	Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
- Flower	Lily of the Valley
- Bird	Great spotted woodpecker
Website	Biratori Town
Phone number	01457-2-2221
Address 28, Honchō, Biratori-chō, Saru-gun, Hokkaidō 055-0192

Biratori (平取町, Biratori-chō^?) is a town located in Saru District, Hidaka, Hokkaidō, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 5,909 and a density of 7.95 persons per km². The total area is 743.16 km².

The Nibutani Dam was constructed in Nibutani (二風谷) district on the Saru River, though there was a strong objection due to a sacred meaning of the place for indigenous Ainu people. Nibutani is the site of the Ainu Cultural center. Nibutani's best known son is perhaps Shigeru Kayano, an advocate for the Ainu and Ainu language and culture.

Biratori is primarily an agricultural town, growing many different kinds of fruits and vegetables for people and livestock. It was also known for its lumber industry.

Other places of note in Biratori:

• Biratori Onsen
• Family Land
• Suzuran Field in Memu, where Lily of the Valley (also known as Maybells) bloom from May to June. The field covers 15 hectares and is the largest in Japan. It opened to the public in 1963, but had to be closed in 1975 due to damage from overpicking and trampling. It was able to open again ten years later..
• The UFO park (Set up as a UFO observation platform, it was later closed in the 1970s-1980s.)

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Biratori, Hokkaidō

• Official website in Japanese

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