Happy TravellerMuroran (室蘭市, Muroran-shi) is a beautiful port city located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture and is home to around 93,716 people. The city covers an area of 80.65 km2 (31.14 sq mi), with a population density of 1,162.01 people per square kilometre (3,009.6 per square mile). Muroran has a rich history dating back to the late 16th century, when the region came under the administration of the Matsumae clan. It was developed as a trading post between the Ainu and the Matsumae clan people.
Today, Muroran is an important transportation hub and a center of the steel industry. Unfortunately, the town’s industrial plants were bombed by American naval aircraft in July 1945, killing 525 people. Despite this tragic history, Muroran has rebuilt itself into a thriving city with many attractions for visitors to enjoy.
One of the most famous attractions in Muroran is the Hakucho Bridge, which spans the Port of Muroran and is the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan. Another must-see destination is Mount Washibetsu, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Itanki Beach is another popular spot among tourists, where you can relax and soak up the sun on the sandy shores of the Sea of Japan.
Muroran is also home to eight specific scenic sights called Muroran-Hakke (室蘭八景). One of the most famous of them is the Earth Cape (地球岬, chikyū misaki), a stunning lookout point that offers panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.
When it comes to transportation, there are five JR Hokkaido stations in Muroran that can be used to access both Hakodate to the South West, and Sapporo to the North East. The city is also home to many educational institutions, including the Muroran Institute of Technology and one of the most prominent Marine Biology institutes in Japan, the Institute of Algological Research of Hokkaido University.
The economy of Muroran is primarily driven by the steel industry, with large cement factories, steel mills, oil refineries, and shipyards clustered around the port of Muroran. Japan Steel Works has its global headquarters in Muroran.
In terms of climate, Muroran features a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb—Cfb if the −3 °C or 27 °F isotherm is used). Despite its location on Hokkaido, Muroran typically does not see the very cold winters that the majority of the island is known for, yet it does experience some snowfall in the course of the year, averaging roughly 210 cm (83 in) of snow per season. Summers in Muroran are mild by Japanese standards, with average high temperatures in August, the city’s warmest month, around 24 °C (75 °F).
Muroran is twinned with Shizuoka, Shizuoka, since 1976, Knoxville, Tennessee, since 1991, and Joetsu, Niigata, since 1995. Come and visit Muroran to experience its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and thriving industry for yourself!
