Mukawa, Hokkaido

Mukawa むかわ町
Town
Flag Emblem
Location of Mukawa in Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
Mukawa Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°34′N 141°56′E / 42.567°N 141.933°E / 42.567; 141.933
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Iburi Subprefecture)
District	Yūfutsu
Area
• Total	166.43 km2 (64.26 sq mi)
Population  (April 30, 2017)
• Total	8,527
• Density	51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
Climate	Dfb
Website	www.town.mukawa.lg.jp

Mukawa (むかわ町, Mukawa-chō) is a town located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

On March 27, 2006, Mukawa (鵡川町) absorbed the town of Hobetsu to create the new town of Mukawa. The new town was given the same name as the former town of Mukawa, but in hiragana, instead of former kanji name.

As of April 30, 2017, the town (including the Hobetsu area) has an estimated population of 8,527, with a total of 4,369 households.^[1] The total area is 166.43 km².

Mukawa is situated on the southern coast of Hokkaido, bordering the Pacific Ocean. It can be accessed via train from Tomakomai. By car, the town is approximately 1/2 hour east of Tomakomai along Route 235.

The town is famed for shishamo, a small fish that is hung on bamboo poles. Shishamo are currently included in the Mukawa town sign. The shishamo are harvested during the Fall season. During this season the town holds a number of shishamo themed events, including a town race in October and Shishamo Matsuri in November.

A large community center in the town features an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, hotel, onsen, cafe, restaurant, and lecture hall. During the late Summer, an obon matsuri is held near the town's community center.