Kimobetsu, town in Abuta district, Hokkaido, Japan
Kimobetsu is a small town in Shiribeshi Subprefecture on Hokkaido island, surrounded by mountains and forests with clean streets and simple buildings. Agriculture, primarily potato and asparagus farming, shapes the landscape with open fields, modest homes, and small local shops that serve the community's daily needs.
Kimobetsu was officially recognized as a town in 1952, though the area had been settled much earlier by people engaged in agriculture and utilizing its fertile volcanic soil. Its name derives from the Ainu language, meaning 'the river in the mountains', reflecting how indigenous peoples and early settlers understood their connection to the land and water.
Kimobetsu celebrates its farming traditions, particularly potatoes, through local festivals held in early August where residents share fresh produce and traditional dishes. The community maintains strong ties to the land through small shrines, seasonal events, and daily practices that connect people to their natural surroundings and history.
Kimobetsu is easily accessible by car via national highways, with scenic mountain views along the route, and serves as a good base for hiking and outdoor exploration. Local shops sell fresh produce, and simple accommodations like small hotels and guesthouses offer places to rest after outdoor activities, though there are no large-scale facilities.
The Shiribetsu River name, visible throughout the region's place names, also derives from Ainu language, revealing how deeply indigenous linguistic heritage remains woven into local geography. This naming continuity surprises visitors who expect only Japanese place names to dominate a modern town.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
