Chippubetsu, town in Uryū district, Hokkaido, Japan
Chippubetsu is a small town in Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, surrounded by farmland and forests. It has wide open spaces, traditional Japanese houses with sloped roofs designed for heavy snow, and a large rose garden with about 3,000 rose plants that bloom in summer.
The town was founded as a rural settlement and developed through generations of farming families working the land. A tower in the town center marks the centennial of the town's founding and symbolizes its growth from a small village to the community it is today.
The name Chippubetsu comes from the Ainu language, meaning "river with strong current". The town is shaped by its farming community, where agricultural work on the fields defines daily life and forms the core of local identity.
The town is best visited during summer months when the rose garden is in full bloom and the weather is mild. There is a roadside station with local products, a hot spring facility called Chippu-yuu for soaking, and several small cafes offering simple local specialties.
A young woman from Thailand named An has begun introducing the town to tourists from her home country by organizing tours and activities such as tomato picking and miso making. This has brought unexpected international connection to the rural community and shows how small towns can gain global attention.
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