Tomakomai (苫小牧市, Tomakomai-shi) is a city and port in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the largest city in the Iburi Subprefecture, and the fourth largest city in Hokkaido. As of 31 July 2023, it had an estimated population of 167,372, with 83,836 households, and a population density of 298 persons per km² (770 persons per mi²). The total area is 561.57 km2 (216.82 sq mi).

Tomakomai
苫小牧市
Flag of Tomakomai
Official seal of Tomakomai
Location of Tomakomai in Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
Location of Tomakomai in Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
Tomakomai is located in Japan
Tomakomai
Tomakomai
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°38′N 141°36′E / 42.633°N 141.600°E / 42.633; 141.600
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
First official recorded1799 AD
City settled1 April 1948
Government
 • MayorHirofumi Iwakura
Area
 • Total
561.57 km2 (216.82 sq mi)
Population
 (July 31, 2023)
 • Total
167,372
 • Density300/km2 (770/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address4-5-6 Asahimachi, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido
053-8722
ClimateDfb
Websitewww.city.tomakomai.hokkaido.jp
Symbols
BirdSwan
FlowerTree flower: Hasukappu (Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx)
Grass flower: Hanashōbu (Iris ensata var. ensata)
MascotToma Chop
TreeJapanese Rowan
Aerial view of Tomakomai
Tomakomai city hall
Lake Utonai

The city is known for its high catch of Arctic surf clams.

History

edit

The name of Tomakomai is derived from Ainu words "to" and "makomai", meaning "Marsh" and "River which goes into the depths of the mountain", respectively.[1][2]

  • 1879: Yūfutsu branch of Hokkaidō Development Commission was transferred into Tomakomai (Foundation anniversary).
  • 1902: Tomakomai became second class village.
  • 1918: Tomakomai village became Tomakomai town.
  • 1948: Tomakomai town became Tomakomai city.
  • 1963: Tomakomai Port (West) was opened.
  • 1980: Tomakomai Port (East) was opened.
  • 6 September 2018: Tomakomai City is the nearest city from the epicenter of the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake.

Geography

edit

Mount Tarumae is located in the northwest of Tomakomai and belongs to Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

Climate

edit

Tomakomai has a humid continental climate typical of Hokkaido.

Climate data for Tomakomai (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1942−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.0
(50.0)
12.6
(54.7)
15.5
(59.9)
21.8
(71.2)
27.3
(81.1)
30.6
(87.1)
33.3
(91.9)
35.5
(95.9)
29.5
(85.1)
24.4
(75.9)
19.1
(66.4)
14.8
(58.6)
35.5
(95.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)
0.9
(33.6)
4.4
(39.9)
9.6
(49.3)
14.1
(57.4)
17.3
(63.1)
21.0
(69.8)
23.4
(74.1)
21.7
(71.1)
16.2
(61.2)
9.2
(48.6)
2.8
(37.0)
11.8
(53.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.6
(25.5)
−3.2
(26.2)
0.5
(32.9)
5.3
(41.5)
10.0
(50.0)
14.0
(57.2)
18.2
(64.8)
20.4
(68.7)
17.8
(64.0)
11.5
(52.7)
4.9
(40.8)
−1.2
(29.8)
7.9
(46.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.1
(17.4)
−7.9
(17.8)
−3.7
(25.3)
1.3
(34.3)
6.6
(43.9)
11.5
(52.7)
16.1
(61.0)
18.0
(64.4)
13.8
(56.8)
6.4
(43.5)
0.2
(32.4)
−5.4
(22.3)
4.1
(39.3)
Record low °C (°F) −21.3
(−6.3)
−20.9
(−5.6)
−19.8
(−3.6)
−9.8
(14.4)
−4.2
(24.4)
1.8
(35.2)
6.5
(43.7)
9.2
(48.6)
2.4
(36.3)
−5.1
(22.8)
−12.6
(9.3)
−20.4
(−4.7)
−21.3
(−6.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38.7
(1.52)
37.5
(1.48)
53.5
(2.11)
75.7
(2.98)
130.8
(5.15)
111.6
(4.39)
163.5
(6.44)
197.5
(7.78)
174.9
(6.89)
113.2
(4.46)
85.7
(3.37)
56.6
(2.23)
1,239.2
(48.79)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 42
(17)
42
(17)
26
(10)
2
(0.8)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
4
(1.6)
29
(11)
145
(57)
Average rainy days 7.3 7.6 8.9 8.9 9.9 8.7 11.1 11.8 10.4 9.7 9.3 8.1 111.7
Average snowy days 10.6 10.9 7.4 0.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.9 6.6 37.1
Average relative humidity (%) 70 70 71 74 79 86 88 86 80 74 71 70 77
Mean monthly sunshine hours 142.0 144.7 165.6 173.5 171.9 119.7 108.1 122.2 153.1 156.0 127.1 127.6 1,711.5
Source 1: JMA[3]
Source 2: JMA[4]

Transportation

edit

Airport

edit

Rail

edit

Road

edit

Seaport

edit

Education

edit

University

edit

College

edit
  • National Institute of Technology, Tomakomai College

High schools

edit

Public

edit
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Higashi High School
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Minami High School
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Nishi High School
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Sogokeizai High School
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Technical High School

Private

edit
  • Komazawa University Tomakomai High School
  • Tomakomai Chuo High School

Sports

edit
 
Arctic surf clam curry, which the city is known for

In 2014, Tomakomai hosted the World Broomball Championships.[5]

Tomakomai is home to the Asia League Ice Hockey team Red Eagles Hokkaido. [6]

Sister cities and friendship cities

edit

Sister cities

edit

Friendship city

edit

Notable people from Tomakomai

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ The outline of Tomakomai
  2. ^ The history of Tomakomai
  3. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "2014 – IFBA World Broomball Championship, Tomakomai, Japan (December Update)". IFBA. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  6. ^ Armstrong, James (28 March 2021). "Oji Eagles top in Japan". IIHF. Archived from the original on 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  7. ^ Sister cities and friendship city of Tomakomai
  8. ^ "Yushiroh Hirano Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  9. ^ "Mr. Kawabuchi died, 88 years old Tomakomai comes from the international hall of fame with ice hockey". 47news (in Japanese). 2014-01-20. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  10. ^ "Hisayoshi Sato". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
edit