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
 • Total561.57 km2 (216.82 sq mi)
Population
 (July 31, 2023)
 • Total167,372
 • 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)
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 Technical High School
  • Hokkaido Tomakomai Sogokeizai High School

Private edit

  • Tomakomai Chuo High School
  • Komazawa University Tomakomai High School

Sports edit

 
Arctic surf clam curry, which the city is known for

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

Sister cities and friendship city 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. ^ Sister cities and friendship city of Tomakomai
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Hisayoshi Sato". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Yushiroh Hirano Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2022-09-27.

External links edit