Rausu, Hokkaido


Rausu is a town located in Nemuro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 30, 2016, it has an estimated population of 5,395, and an area of 397.88 km2.
The word "Rausu" originates from the Ainu word Raushi, roughly meaning "Low-land" or "Place of men with beast-like spirit".
The town occupies the southern half of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Kunashir Island, one of the four disputed Kuril Islands, can be seen from the town.

Geography

Rausu is located on the east end of Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula. It is situated on the southeast corner of the peninsula facing the Nemuro Strait. The town stretches along and narrow strip of land, extending from southwest to northeast. The Shiretoko mountain range extends north on the peninsula to the sea where it forms steep cliffs. The Shiretoko mountain range is the source for myriad rivers, that all empty into the sea. Village communities are found mostly on the coast line at the mouths of these rivers. The "downtown" of Rausu is at the mouth of Rausu River where it joins the sea at Rausu Harbor.
Two access points to Rausu via highway are through Shibetsu in the south or through Shari on the west side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. From Shibetsu, National Highway 335（the Kunashiri Highway）extends northwards along the coast into Rausu at which point it crosses the peninsula heading west, over the Shiretoko mountain range. The Shiretoko Pass leads into Shari and becomes National Highway 334. Some sections of both highways feature steep precipices just off the shoulder and may prove dangerous. There are also a number of tunnels along both highways.
Rausu is about northeast from Nakashibetsu airport. It is northeast of Kushiro City.

Adjoining municipalities

In 2004, there were talks held in Nakashibetsu amongst all the municipalities in the area to form one large township called East Shiretoko. Soon thereafter local residents were polled regarding the proposal. The faction in favor of this change did not receive support and thus abandoned the effort.

Local economy

Rausu's local economy consists of three main sources: the fishing industry, Shiretoko tourism, and local businesses.

Fishing industry

Rausu is primarily a fishing town. One third of residents are supported by the fishing industry. The main intake by the fishing industry consists of kichiji rockfish, Alaska Pollock, konbu kelp, salmon, squid, and sea urchin. Particularly famous is Rausu konbu. There is no other place in Japan to harvest sea urchin from winter to summer other than Rausu.
As for agriculture, in southern Rausu there is some dairy farming, but no land suitable for growing rice, produce, or other large scale agriculture. The lumber industry does not have much of a presence either. 70% of the town's land is lush mountain forest, but it is mostly a part of the Shiretoko National Park.

Local business

Rausu's second major source of economic income is not any one specific industry, but rather the mix of local retail, municipal employment, food and beverage industry, etc.

Shiretoko National Park

The third major source of revenue for Rausu is related to Shiretoko National Park. The splendor of Shiretoko’s forests and the abundance of aquatic life in the Nemuro Strait form the basis of the local tourist industry. Due to the widening of Kunashiri Highway, in recent years whale and dolphin watching have become popular in the summer, whereas viewing Steller’s sea eagle, white-tailed eagles, seals, and drift-ice are popular in the winter. These activities are usually done by chartered cruises that cater to researchers, photographers, and bird watchers. Rausu is known for fresh rockfish, early-season salmon and salmon eggs, Alaskan pollock, squid, and sea urchin. The town has many bed-and-breakfasts, lodges, onsen hotels, restaurants, and bars. There is also a roadside station that sells local Shiretoko-area products.

Local business groups

Japan Post

Due to the close proximity of Russia and potential fishing-rights disputes, the Japanese Coast Guard maintains a presence in Rausu year round. Coast Guard vessels are regularly docked in Rausu Harbor, with the personnel barracks nearby.

The Japanese Self-Defense Force maintains a permanent presence in the town.

Education system

Like most high schools in Japan, the local senior high school falls under the administration of the prefectural board of education, while the local middle and elementary schools are operated by the local board of education.

Senior high schools

The has participated in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme since summer 1995. The JET program helps place native English speakers in both prefectural and local boards of education to work as Assistant Language Teachers with the goal of developing Japan's foreign language education.

Transportation

Airports

National highways

Festivals/events

Rausu observes most of the same national Japanese traditional holidays found throughout the country, such as Children's Day, Hatsumōde, etc. However, some festivals, like O-bon and Coming of Age Day are celebrated earlier due to the fishing industry and the large number of college students enrolled in schools in Honshū. Other annual festivals/events include:

Famous people