Sign In Register

Rikubetsu, Japan

Hokkaido · Japan

Rikubetsu is a small town in Hokkaido, Japan with a population of 2,528. Elevation: 860 ft (262 m). Average temperature: 41°F (5°C).

4.1 /5.0
A Great
2,528 Population 12/sq mi density
860 ft Elevation 262 meters
41°F Avg Temperature 5°C
45.0 in Annual Rain
Asia / Tokyo Timezone
$28,900 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$28,900 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$68,000 home value, $340/mo rent

Discover Rikubetsu, Japan

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

About Rikubetsu

Rikubetsu

Rikubetsu is a town located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 31 December 2025, the town had an estimated population of 2,044 in 1221 households, and a population density of 3 people per km2. The total area of the town is 608.90 km2 (235.10 sq mi). Rikubetsu, is a popular tourist destination, boasting the title "Japan's coldest town."

People

Population2,528
Median Age49.6 yrs
Density12/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$28,900
Unemployment3.0%

Housing

A+
Home Value$68,000
Rent$340
Housing Units1,011

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Sunny Days254/yr
Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Population2,528
Population Density12 / sq mi
Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Coordinates43.4710°, 143.7458°
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Country🇯🇵 Japan
State / ProvinceHokkaido
Average Temperature41°F (5°C)
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Annual Precipitation45.0 inches (1,144 mm)
Annual Snowfall14.3 inches (36 cm)
Median Household Income$28,900
Median Age49.6 years

About Rikubetsu

Rikubetsu is a small town in Japan (Hokkaido) with a population of 2,528. The city sits at an elevation of 860 feet (262 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 41°F (5°C). Temperatures range from 13°F in January to 64°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.0 inches. The timezone is Asia/Tokyo.

Rikubetsu has a population of 2,528 with a density of 12 people per square mile, spread across 203.6 square miles. The median age is 49.6 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,528
Total Population
12
People / sq mi
49.6yrs
Median Age
28% above Japan avg
203.6mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Rikubetsu vs Japan Average

The median household income in Rikubetsu is $28,900, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 81 business establishments.

Income: Rikubetsu vs Japan

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,900
62% below Japan avg

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below Japan avg
Establishments (County)81

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Rikubetsu is $68,000, 76% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $340 (71% below the national average of $1,163). There are 1,011 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.4x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$68,000
76% below Japan avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$340
71% below Japan avg

Ownership & Property

Housing Units1,011

Property Tax

Rikubetsu has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 254 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. The area receives 14.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 860 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average40.6°F
25% below Japan avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days254 days/yr

Geography

Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Area203.6 sq mi (527.3 km²)
Population Density12/sq mi
Coordinates43.4710°N, 143.7458°W
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.0"
19% above Japan avg
Snowfall 14.3"
Wettest Month (Sep) 6.38"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.97"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

781 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.6. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 14, 2025.

Jan 15, 1993 52 km NE of Otofuke, Japan M7.6 20 km
Feb 2, 2013 18 km SSW of Obihiro, Japan M6.9 94 km
Oct 8, 2003 39 km SSE of Kushiro, Japan M6.7 113 km
Sep 29, 2003 58 km S of Kushiro, Japan M6.5 125 km
Jan 18, 2005 40 km E of Kushiro, Japan M6.3 108 km
May 12, 1999 44 km W of Kushiro, Japan M6.2 49 km
Nov 15, 1997 19 km NNW of Shibetsu, Japan M6.1 109 km
Apr 11, 2004 38 km E of Kushiro, Japan M6.1 108 km
Oct 21, 2011 16 km NE of Asahikawa, Japan M6.1 112 km
Jan 15, 1993 17 km W of Kushiro, Japan M6.1 64 km
May 31, 2025 78 km S of Kushiro, Japan M6.0 147 km
Nov 13, 2000 62 km SSE of Kushiro, Japan M6.0 137 km
Feb 25, 2023 Hokkaido, Japan region M6.0 126 km
Aug 25, 2012 45 km ENE of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan M5.9 135 km
Jun 12, 1991 17 km SE of Obihiro, Japan M5.8 83 km
Jun 10, 2004 49 km E of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan M5.8 136 km
Jul 1, 2007 32 km W of Shibetsu, Japan M5.8 82 km
Nov 14, 2000 60 km SSE of Kushiro, Japan M5.6 135 km
Sep 28, 2003 48 km SE of Kushiro, Japan M5.6 123 km
May 30, 2020 69 km SE of Obihiro, Japan M5.6 110 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1. Most recent: Sonamu (2000).

Year Name Category Closest
2000 Sonamu Category 1 279 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1952 SE. HOKKAIDO ISLAND Earthquake 6.5 m 33 147 km
1938 E. HOKKAIDO ISLAND Earthquake 0.9 m 1 47 km
1956 NE. HOKKAIDO ISLAND Earthquake 0.4 m 97 km
2004 HOKKAIDO ISLAND Earthquake 0.1 m 123 km
1962 SE. HOKKAIDO ISLAND Earthquake 0.1 m 142 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Akan (24 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Akan Caldera 1,499 m (4,918 ft) 2008 24 km
Kussharo Caldera 574 m (1,883 ft) 1320 57 km
Maruyama Stratovolcano(es) 2,013 m (6,604 ft) 1898 58 km
Mashu Caldera 857 m (2,812 ft) 1080 67 km
Taisetsuzan Stratovolcano(es) 2,291 m (7,516 ft) 1739 75 km
Tokachidake Stratovolcano(es) 2,077 m (6,814 ft) 2004 86 km
Shiretoko-Iozan Stratovolcano 1,562 m (5,125 ft) 1936 135 km
Tomariyama [Golovnin] Caldera 535 m (1,755 ft) 1848 147 km
Raususan [Mendeleev] Stratovolcano 882 m (2,894 ft) 1880 169 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-10°C) 2.5 in Coldest
February 15°F (-10°C) 2.0 in Driest
March 24°F (-5°C) 3.4 in
April 39°F (4°C) 3.1 in
May 49°F (9°C) 3.7 in
June 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in
July 64°F (18°C) 3.9 in
August 67°F (19°C) 5.6 in Warmest
September 58°F (15°C) 6.4 in Wettest
October 47°F (8°C) 4.8 in
November 34°F (1°C) 3.9 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 2.6 in

Rikubetsu has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 13°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 45.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (6.4") and February the driest (2.0").

View full weather details →

Schools in Rikubetsu

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
陸別中学校
陸別小学校
町立大誉地小学校
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Rikubetsu

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Rikubetsu

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Rikubetsu Space Earth Science Museum
お金の博物館
置戸町郷土資料館

Restaurants in Rikubetsu

1 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

はた蕎麦

Clinics in Rikubetsu

1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

関寛斎診療所

Gas Stations in Rikubetsu

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Hokuren SS

Banks in Rikubetsu

1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

帯広信金金庫 陸別支店

Ski Resorts Near Rikubetsu

12 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Akenogaoka Ski Area 0.0 $0
Akan Royal Valley 0.0 $0
Nukabira Gensenkyo Ski Area 0.0 $0
Oketocho Minamigaoka 0.0 $0
Wakamatsu Shimin Ski Area 0.0 $0
Rubeshibe-cho Happodai 0.0 $0
Higashimokoto Shirakabadai Ski Area 0.0 $0
Bihoro Lily Yama Ski Area 0.0 $0
Northern Arc Resort 0.0 $0
Abashiri Lake View Ski Resort 0.0 $0
Saroma Choei 0.0 $0
Engaru Rock Valley 0.0 $0

Airports Near Rikubetsu

10 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Kushiro AirportKUHMedium Airport
Memanbetsu AirportMMBMedium Airport
Tokachi AirportMedium Airport
Tokachi-Obihiro AirportOBOMedium Airport
Ashoro Meto AirfieldSmall Airport
Bihoro Air ParkSmall Airport
Hopeland AirfieldSmall Airport
JGDSF Camp Bihoro AirfieldSmall Airport
Kamishihoro Air ParkSmall Airport
Kitami Agricultural Airfield / Skyport KitamiSmall Airport

Post Offices in Rikubetsu

2 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
斗満簡易郵便局
陸別郵便局

Churches & Religious Organizations in Rikubetsu

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
中斗満神社

Explore Near Rikubetsu

Waterfalls
2
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
Asia/Tokyo

🇯🇵 About Japan

Capital Tokyo
Population 126,529,100
Area 377,835 km²
GDP (USD) $4,213,167,237,906
GDP per capita $33,836
HDI 0.925
Life expectancy 84.0 years
Internet users 87.0%
Urban population 92.1%
Currency JPY (Yen)
Languages Japanese
Calling code +81
TLD .jp
Driving side left

Volcanoes Near Rikubetsu

Volcano Type Elevation Last Eruption
Akan Caldera 1,499 m 2008

Public Holidays in Japan

16 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day 元日
Jan 12 Coming of Age Day 成人の日
Feb 11 Foundation Day 建国記念の日
Feb 23 The Emperor's Birthday 天皇誕生日
Mar 20 Vernal Equinox Day 春分の日
Apr 29 Shōwa Day 昭和の日
May 4 Greenery Day みどりの日
May 5 Children's Day こどもの日
May 6 Constitution Memorial Day 憲法記念日
Jul 20 Marine Day 海の日
Aug 11 Mountain Day 山の日
Sep 21 Respect for the Aged Day 敬老の日
Sep 23 Autumnal Equinox Day 秋分の日
Oct 12 Sports Day スポーツの日
Nov 3 Culture Day 文化の日
Nov 23 Labour Thanksgiving Day 勤労感謝の日

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Rikubetsu.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Rikubetsu

What is the population of Rikubetsu?

Rikubetsu has a population of 2,528 residents and is located in Japan. The population density is 12 people per square mile, spread across 203.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 49.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Rikubetsu expensive to live in?

The median household income is $28,900, 62% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $68,000 (76% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $340 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.4x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Rikubetsu?

Rikubetsu has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 13°F in January, while summers reach an average of 64°F in July. The area receives 254 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 45.0 inches, with 14.3 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Rikubetsu?

Rikubetsu has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, near the national average of 3.6%. There are 81 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Rikubetsu?

The median home value in Rikubetsu is $68,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $340.

Nearby Cities

Compare Rikubetsu with another city: