Utashinai was formerly a prosperous coal mining city, but its fortunes has declined greatly since the closing of the coal mines. The population peaked at 46,000 in 1948, and has been decreasing every year since.
Efforts to transform Utashinai from a gritty coal mining town to an alpinetourist destination have met with mixed success. The town has adopted a Swiss theme as part of its tourist-oriented strategy and many new buildings are built in the Swisschalet style. A medium-sized ski hill, Kamoidake, attracts a decent crowd of locals and hosts frequent ski meets, while a hot spring resort called Tyrol, after the Austrian region, is known throughout Hokkaido for the quality of its water. However, despite these new projects, Utashinai continues to experience population decline and economic stagnation. The local high school closed in 2007, with students now traveling to Sunagawa, Akabira or Takikawa for their secondary education.
Timeline
1890 - Sorachi Coal Mine opened, founding of Utashinai.
1897 - Utashinai Village split away from Nae Village (now the city of Sunagawa).
1949 - Part of the town splits off into Kamisunagawa Town.
July 1, 1958 - Utashinai becomes a city.
1971 - Sumitomo closes Utashinai Mine.
1988 - Kamiutashinai Mine closed.
1995 - Sorachi Mine closed.
2003 - Mid-Sorachi Merger Conference established.
2004 - Merger Conference disbanded.
Geography
Penkeutashunai River, a tributary of Ishikari River, flows through Utashinai. There is Mount Kamoi on the northwest of the city.
Name
The name is derived from the Ainuota-us-nay (オタウㇱナイ) meaning "River connected to a sandy beach".[1]
Demographics
As of December 31, 2020, the city had a population of 3,019, with 1,788 households, and a density of 62 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 55.99 km2. The population of Utashinai has been declining very rapidly for the past 80 years.[2]
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1950
40,954
—
1960
38,002
−7.2%
1970
19,334
−49.1%
1980
10,178
−47.4%
1990
8,279
−18.7%
2000
5,941
−28.2%
2010
4,387
−26.2%
2020
3,019
−31.2%
Culture
Mascot
Horun-kun, the city's mascot
Utashinai's mascot is Horun-kun (ホルンくん), unveiled in 1998. He is a sheep carrying an alphorn, who moved from Switzerland to Japan.[3]
References
^アイヌ語地名リスト [Ainu Language Place Name List] (PDF) (in Japanese). Office of Ainu Measures Promotion, Department of Environment and Lifestyle, Hokkaido Government. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
