Kumaishi, Hokkaido

Kumaishi
熊石町
The Kumaishi Coastline
Location of Kumaishi in Hokkaido (Hiyama Subprefecture)
Kumaishi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°7′N 139°58′E / 42.117°N 139.967°E / 42.117; 139.967
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Hiyama Subprefecture)
Now part of YakumoOctober 1, 2005
Area
  Total
220.38 km2 (85.09 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2005)
  Total
3,468
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address116 Aza-Nezaki, Kumaishi Town, Ershi-gun, Hokkaido
043-0495
Websiteweb.archive.org/web/20050920143633/http://www.town.kumaishi.hokkaido.jp/
Symbols
FlowerNarcissus
TreeGinkgo biloba


Kumaishi (熊石町, Kumaishi-chō) was a town located in Nishi District, Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

The town's name translates as bear rock after a prominent rock formation that looks like a bear and cub on its coast.

As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 3,487 and a density of 15.82 persons per km2. The total area was 220.38 km2.

As many "town" districts, Kumaishi itself is composed of many smaller villages strung out along the coast facing the Sea of Japan. Its industry mainly comprises fishing, notably squid fishing and at night many lights of the squid fishing fleets can be seen far out in the sea. The area is beautifully scenic in many portions and provides some rare untouched Japanese wilderness although some of the coastline has seen Japanese style engineering and been "decorated" with concrete "tetrapods".