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Citizens Charter City Tree & Flower History
Location & Geography Climate Sister City & Friendship City


Citizens Charter （Established December 24, 1968）

We are Citizens of Ebetsu, where militia men opened the land for us.
Founded on the wide-open Ishikari Plains
Integrated with the ever-flowing Ishikari River
Encompassed by the rich green nature of the Nopporo Forest
Influenced by the footprints left by our founders
We, the citizens of Ebetsu, unabashedly love the nature and history our hometown has been blessed with, and wish for the prosperous development of Ebetsu.
We have established this as the City Charter.
1. Create a city of clean air, beautiful nature, and friendly people.
1. Create a city that is abundant with industries that work together.
1. Create a city with superior education and that is rich in culture.
1. Create a city that is friendly with healthy, positive families.
1. Create a city that cultivates children's dreams and is kind to the elderly.
　


City Tree: Mountain Ash

The Mountain Ash (Nanakamado) is a deciduous tree that grows wild in mountainous areas, and symbolizes safety, carefulness, and patience. The Mountain Ash was chosen as the Ebetsu City Tree to stand for the wishes of Ebetsu Citizens to build healthy, positive families, and to help Ebetsu withstand the hardships that come its way.（Established November, 1971）
City Flower: Chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum is a very elegant flower that symbolizes lifelong peace and prosperity, sincerity and trust.
The Chrysanthemum was chosen as the Ebetsu City Flower, which shows the sincerity to the oath to live by the standards stated in the City Charter.（Established November, 1971）
History ↑Back to Top

In 1871, Japanese settlers first moved to the Ebetsu area. 76 farmers consisting of 21 households, first came from Miyagi Prefecture. Then in 1878, 56 militiamen, consisting of 10 households, immigrated to Ebetsu. That very same year, the Meiji Government proclaimed the "Hokkaido Frontier" part of Japan, and Ebetsu-mura(village) was founded. Following this, militiamen from all over Japan started coming, and the development and growth of Ebetsu was well under way.

Ebetsu graduated to "town (machi)" status in 1916, and finally became a full-fledged "city (shi)" in 1954, establishing the current municipality system. From the `60's, to the early `70's, the population boom in Sapporo overflowed into Ebetsu, increasing the number of citizens dramatically. Further more, the introduction of universities into the "bunkyo-dai" area, along with other educational facilities, plus maintaining a very prosperous industrial area has helped make Ebetsu what it is today.

Ebetsu's population reached 100,000 in 1991, and the 50-Year Anniversary of becoming a city was celebrated in 2004.
The population has grown to 123,070 people (as of April 1, 2006), consisting of 51,549 households.　　
     
Location & Geography ↑Back To Top

Ebetsu is located in the center of the Ishikari Plains, and has an area of 187.57 square kilometers(72.42 square miles).
The topography is basically flat, blessed with rich, natural surroundings. Ebetsu is adjacent to Sapporo, Kitahiroshima, Iwamizawa, Tobetsu, Nanporo, and Shinshinotsu. The train ride to Sapporo on the Asahikawa-Hakodate line takes only 22 minutes. Route 12, a major highway in Hokkaido, runs through the middle of downtown. The Hokkaido Expressway also runs east-west through Ebetsu, having two interchanges, at East Ebetsu and West Ebetsu.　
     
Climate ↑Back to Top

The average temperature over the last 10 years has been 7.1 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit), with 34.5 degrees Celsius (94 degrees Fahrenheit) being the highest temperature ever recorded, and -27.7 degrees Celsius (-18 degrees Fahrenheit) being the lowest. Ebetsu is one of the milder places in Hokkaido, staying cool in the summer, and only getting slightly cold in the winter.
Geographically, the wind blows strong all year long from the Japan Sea(west) to the Pacific Ocean(east), and the south-easterly wind during April and May is particularly strong. The average amount of rainfall over the last 10 years is 1,116mm (44 in.), with July and August being particularly wet. Although snowfall in Ebetsu is less than it is in the surrounding mountains, generally there is snow from the end of November to the beginning of April.　
     
Sister City: Gresham （Established May 20, 1977）　　　　　　　↑Back to Top

Located about 16 kilometers (10mi.) east of downtown Portland, Oregon, USA, Gresham has grown to a population of about 99,000 people, and has the majestic Mt. Hood in its background, and the Columbia River in its forefront. These natural features of Gresham are strikingly similar to those of Ebetsu, one reason why the two cities agreed to become Sister Cities. On top of being an agricultural suburb that grows fruits, vegetables, and flowers, Gresham also boasts modern industries such as microelectronics and aeronautical enterprises. Ebetsu and Gresham continue cultural exchanges such as sending high school exchange students to their respective sister city. 　
     
Friendship City: Tosa （Established July 15, 1978）　　　　　　↑Back to Top

Located in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Tosa is very different from Ebetsu as far as climate and natural features are concerned, which is why Ebetsu began a relationship with Tosa as a Friendship City. Tosa is blessed with rich, natural surroundings, such as rivers, mountain ranges, and the ever-changing Pacific Ocean. Watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe, oranges, and mandarin oranges, as well as fish flakes called "Tosa bushi" are well-known Tosa products.
In addition, Tosa boasts famous companies related to traditional art, such as Tosa Japanese Paper, and is also the most famous place in Japan for Easter lilies. The rope used in Ebetsu's tug-of-war at the Summer Fest is made in Tosa, modeled after the ones used in Tosa's Tug-of-War Festival, and brought to Ebetsu every year.
     

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