Engaru, Mountain town in Okhotsk region, Japan
Engaru is a town in northeastern Hokkaido that spreads across mountains, rivers, and extensive forestland within a continental climate zone. The landscape consists of forested hills and open valleys that shape the character of the settlement.
Settlement began in 1897 when colonists from the Wakayama region arrived through the Hokkaido Comrades Education Association. These early settlers established the foundations for what would become the modern town.
The Shirataki area is where Aikido took root, a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba that emphasizes flowing, circular movements. This local connection to a globally practiced discipline remains felt in the community.
The town center is accessible via the JR Sekihoku Main Line, with several daily Limited Express Okhotsk trains serving the station. The railway station provides a convenient starting point for exploring the town and surrounding countryside.
The Shirataki Geopark region was a major center for obsidian extraction, with stone tool remains dating back 20,000 years. This archaeological heritage reveals the area's long history of human habitation and tool-making.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
