Muroran, Hokkaido
Encyclopedia
is a city
and port located in Iburi
, Hokkaidō
, Japan
. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture.
As of 2008, the city has an estimated population
of 96,724 and a density
of 1,210 people per km². The total area is 80.65 km².
word "Mo Ruerani" that means "the bottom of a little slope". The little slope, in front of the former Senkai Temple in Sakimori-cho, is noted in connection with the name of Muroran.
In the late 16th century, the Muroran region came under the administration of the Matsumae clan
. Muroran was developed as a trading post between the Ainu
and the Matsumae clan
people.
In 1892, the Port of Muroran was opened for the wooden bridge construction at Kaigan (former Tokikaramoi); at the same time, the main road began construction from Hakodate to Sapporo as the first step of Hokkaidō Colonization Plan.
With the opening of a ship route from Muroran to Mori and railroad extension to Iwamizawa, Muroran's municipality was started on August 1, 1922 as the core of the major land and sea traffic in the pioneer era of Hokkaidō. Since then, Muroran has been developing as an important transportation hub and a center of the steel industry. This unfortunately earned the town's industrial plants by a bombardment by some of the newest American battleships
in July of 1945, in the closing days of World War II
.
Today, there are large cement factories, steel mills, oil refineries, and shipyards clustered around the port of Muroran.
, a climate type that is very rare in Japan. Despite it being located on Hokkaido, Muroran typically does not see the very cold winters that the majority of the island is known for. Muroran does experience significant snowfall in the course of the year, averaging roughly 210 cm (83 inches) of snow per year. Summers in Muroran are mild by Japanese standards, not nearly as hot as summers in other Japanese cities. Average high temperatures in August, the city’s warmest month, is around 24 C. Winters in the city are noticeably drier than summers, with its driest month (February) seeing on average about 1/5 of the precipitation as its wettest month (August).
Muroran holds eight specific scenic sights called Muroran-Hakkei(室蘭八景). The most famous of them is:
of Hokkaido University
.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
and port located in Iburi
Iburi Subprefecture
is a subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan.- Geography :Located in south-central Hokkaido, Iburi stretches East-West and North-South. Iburi covers an area of . Iburi borders Oshima subprefecture to the West, Shiribeshi, Ishikari, and Sorachi subprefectures to the North, and Hidaka subprefecture to the...
, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture.
As of 2008, the city has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 96,724 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 1,210 people per km². The total area is 80.65 km².
History
The origin of Muroran's name is derived from the AinuAinu language
Ainu is one of the Ainu languages, spoken by members of the Ainu ethnic group on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō....
word "Mo Ruerani" that means "the bottom of a little slope". The little slope, in front of the former Senkai Temple in Sakimori-cho, is noted in connection with the name of Muroran.
In the late 16th century, the Muroran region came under the administration of the Matsumae clan
Matsumae clan
The was a Japanese clan which was granted the area around Matsumae, Hokkaidō as a march fief in 1590 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and charged with defending it, and by extension all of Japan, from the Ainu 'barbarians' to the north. The clan was originally known as the Kakizaki clan who settled...
. Muroran was developed as a trading post between the Ainu
Ainu people
The , also called Aynu, Aino , and in historical texts Ezo , are indigenous people or groups in Japan and Russia. Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin...
and the Matsumae clan
Matsumae clan
The was a Japanese clan which was granted the area around Matsumae, Hokkaidō as a march fief in 1590 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and charged with defending it, and by extension all of Japan, from the Ainu 'barbarians' to the north. The clan was originally known as the Kakizaki clan who settled...
people.
In 1892, the Port of Muroran was opened for the wooden bridge construction at Kaigan (former Tokikaramoi); at the same time, the main road began construction from Hakodate to Sapporo as the first step of Hokkaidō Colonization Plan.
With the opening of a ship route from Muroran to Mori and railroad extension to Iwamizawa, Muroran's municipality was started on August 1, 1922 as the core of the major land and sea traffic in the pioneer era of Hokkaidō. Since then, Muroran has been developing as an important transportation hub and a center of the steel industry. This unfortunately earned the town's industrial plants by a bombardment by some of the newest American battleships
Allied naval bombardments of Japan during World War II
During the last weeks of World War II, warships of the United States Navy, Britain's Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy bombarded several cities and industrial facilities in Japan. These bombardments caused heavy damage to several of the factories targeted, as well as nearby civilian areas...
in July of 1945, in the closing days of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Today, there are large cement factories, steel mills, oil refineries, and shipyards clustered around the port of Muroran.
Climate
Muroran features an oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
, a climate type that is very rare in Japan. Despite it being located on Hokkaido, Muroran typically does not see the very cold winters that the majority of the island is known for. Muroran does experience significant snowfall in the course of the year, averaging roughly 210 cm (83 inches) of snow per year. Summers in Muroran are mild by Japanese standards, not nearly as hot as summers in other Japanese cities. Average high temperatures in August, the city’s warmest month, is around 24 C. Winters in the city are noticeably drier than summers, with its driest month (February) seeing on average about 1/5 of the precipitation as its wettest month (August).
Scenic spots
- Hakucho BridgeHakucho BridgeThe is a suspension bridge in Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. Opened April 17, 1998, it has a main span of 720 meters and is signed as part of Japan National Route 37.Several windmills line the bridge which provide lighting at night to the park golf link nearby....
(白鳥大橋) spans the Port of Muroran and is the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan. Hakucho means swan.
- Itanki Beach is a popular hang out for swimming and surfing during the summer months. The beach is very wide with fine brown sand.
Muroran holds eight specific scenic sights called Muroran-Hakkei(室蘭八景). The most famous of them is:
- The has a white lighthouse and panoramic blue ocean. Peregrin falcons can be spotted during the season.
Transportation
Muroran has an extensive network of public transportation. The JR trainline has five stops in Muroran, starting from Higashi Muroran and ending in downtown Muroran, and can be used to access both Hakodate to the South West, and Sapporo to the North East.Education
Muroran houses one of the most prominent Marine Biology institutes in Japan, the Institute of Algological ResearchInstitute of Algological Research
The Institute of Algological Research in Muroran, is one of the oldest research institutes for Phycology research in Japan. Institute of Algological Research is located in the town of Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan and is involved in research leading to MS and PhD degrees in Phycology...
of Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:...
.
- Muroran Institute of Technology (national university)
- Bunka Women's University Muroran Junior College
- Muroran Ohtani High School
- Muroran Shimizugaoka High School
- Muroran Sakae High School
Famous people
- Natsumi AbeNatsumi Abeis a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning Musume, and currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.-Career:On August 13, 2003, she released her first single, "22 Sai no Watashi," which means "Me, 22 years old," just a few days after her 22nd birthday...
- singer, actress. Hello! ProjectHello! Projectis the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
soloist. former Morning MusumeMorning Musume, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
member. - Asami AbeAsami Abeis a Japanese singer and actress, also known as the younger sister of pop idol Natsumi Abe. She started her career doing commercials for Nintendo Puzzle Collection, and she has also appeared in a few TV dramas....
- singer, actress. Younger sister of Abe Natsumi. - Kaori IidaKaori Iidais a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist...
- singer. Hello! ProjectHello! Projectis the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
soloist. former Morning MusumeMorning Musume, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
member.
Sister cities
- ShizuokaShizuoka, Shizuokais the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:...
, since 1976 - Knoxville, TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeFounded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, since 1991 - JoetsuJoetsu, Niigatais a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.As of June 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 205,521, with 72,982 households and a population density of 211.15 persons per km². The total area is 973.32 km²....
, since 1995