Akabira is a city of 8,709 people (as of 2024) in Sorachi subprefecture, Hokkaido. The name of the city comes from the Ainu word for "mountain ridge," but the Japanese name for the city uses kanji characters that mean "red peace."
History[]
For much of its history, Akabira was a coal mining town. Settlement began in 1891, and the first coal mine opened in 1918. Due to the success of the coal industry, Akabira's population peaked at nearly 60,000 people in 1960. However, the city's coal mines began to shut down in the second half of the 20th century with the last coal mine, Sumitomo Coal Mine, closing in 1994. Today, the city's economy focuses on tourism around its coal mining history.
Climate[]
Akabira's climate is warm-summer humid continental (Dfb). The daily mean temperature in January is -7.44°C/18.61°F, and the daily mean temperature in August is 21.32°C/70.38°F. Akabira experiences heavy snowfall with the first snow usually falling in November.
Attractions[]
•Zuriyama Stairs
•Akabira City Coal Mine Heritage Guidance Facility
•Elm Highland Resort