Ebetsu, Agricultural community in Hokkaido, Japan.
Ebetsu stretches along the Ishikari River about 16 kilometers northeast of Sapporo, covering residential areas and industrial sites across 187 square kilometers. The settlement sits amid farming plains with patches of forest, offering a quieter contrast to the neighboring metropolis.
Settlement started in 1871 when families from Miyagi Prefecture arrived, leading to township status in 1916 and city designation in 1954. The farming character brought by the early settlers continues today in the broad fields around the town.
The name comes from the Ainu language term E-pet, referring to the murky waters of the Chitose River where it flows into the Ishikari near the settlement. This river shaped the landscape and the lives of people in the region for centuries.
The settlement connects to Sapporo through the Hokkaido Expressway, several bus routes, and train services. A visit works well in spring and autumn when the weather is comfortable and the fields change their colors.
Nopporo Forest State Park preserves a large untouched woodland near Rakuno Gakuen University. This forest shelters plant species that have become rare in other urban areas of Hokkaido.
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