Atsuma, Rural municipality in Yufutsu district, Japan
Atsuma is a town in Yufutsu district, on the island of Hokkaido, crossed by a river that separates the built-up area from the surrounding forests. The town is connected by a railway line, an expressway, and a national highway.
The settlement was established as a village in April 1906 and became a town in 1965. A major earthquake struck the area in 2018 and left visible marks on the surrounding landscape.
The Inaka Matsuri Festival takes place every July, when local groups perform traditional dances in the streets. In the weeks before the event, residents gather for rehearsals and prepare together for the celebration.
Hiking trails wind through the forests around the town and offer a chance to see the natural landscape up close. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since some sections can be uneven.
The 2018 earthquake triggered one of the largest landslides ever recorded in Japan, reshaping entire hillsides within minutes. The scars left on the land are still visible from certain points around the town today.
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