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Engaru, Hokkaidō

Engaru
遠軽町
Town
The town view from Gambōiwa
The town view from Gambōiwa
Official seal of Engaru
Symbol
Location of Engaru in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Location of Engaru in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Engaru is located in Japan
Engaru
Engaru
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°4′N 143°32′E / 44.067°N 143.533°E / 44.067; 143.533Coordinates: 44°4′N 143°32′E / 44.067°N 143.533°E / 44.067; 143.533
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
District Mombetsu
Area
 • Total 1,332.32 km2 (514.41 sq mi)
Population (July 2013)
 • Total 21,827
 • Density 16.4/km2 (42/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Sargent's cherry
 • Flower Sunflower
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-1 1 Jō-Kita 3chōme, Engaru-chō, Hokkaido
099-0403
Website engaru.jp

Engaru (遠軽町 Engaru-chō?) is a town in the Monbetsu district of Okhotsk subprefecture in Hokkaido, Japan. The name comes from the Ainu place name inkar-us-i (lit. "overlook-always doing-place"), meaning a lookout point.

On October 1, 2005, the towns of Ikutahara and Maruseppu, and the village of Shirataki, all from Monbetsu District merged into the expanded town of Engaru. As of July 2013, the town has an estimated population of 21,827. The total area is 1,332.32 square kilometres (514.41 sq mi), making it the fifth largest municipality in Hokkaido.

Engaru is known as the place where Aikido originated, in the Shirataki area. It is also where the largest cosmos flower park in Japan is located. An Upper Paleolithic site at Shirataki Site Group is the source of some Yubetsu technique stone blades dating from approximately 13,000 years ago.

The major industries are commercial forestry, wood processing, and agriculture.

In the past, Engaru Station was the intersection of the Nayoro Main Line (closed in 1989) and the Sekihoku Main Line. It had an important position in business and overall development.


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