Akabira (赤平市) is a city located in central Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The name comes from the Ainu language but the meaning is uncertain; possibly it means "mountain ridge" or "cliff". As of January 2024, the city has a population of 8,709 people living in 5,333 households. The total area is 129.88 km2. The city was once a prosperous coal-mining city, its population reaching 59,430 in 1960. The population has been gradually declining. There have been efforts to create tourism around the city's coal mining heritage and other sights in order to strengthen the local economy. Other than that, there are also hot springs and campsites.

History

Geography

Akabira is located in the central region of the Hokkaido Sorachi Sub-prefecture jurisdiction. The Sorachi River flows through the city limits from east to west. Originally, development stretched from Utashinai (歌志内) to Mojiri (茂尻), but now is an urban region along the Sorachi River.

Mountains

Rivers

Neighborhoods

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Akabira has declined precipitously in recent decades.

Transportation

Nemuro Main Line: Akabira - Moshiri - Hiragishi

Education

Junior high school

Elementary schools

In popular culture

A climactic scene in the 2021 Academy Awards winning film Drive My Car was shot in Akabira, leading to interest from visitors.

Friendship cities