Biratori (平取町) is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The name of the town means 'between the rocky cliffs' in the Ainu language. As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 5,305 and a density of 7.1 persons per km2. The total area is 743.16 km2.

Ainu culture

The Nibutani Dam was constructed in Nibutani (二風谷) district on the Saru River, though there was a strong objection due to a sacred meaning of the place for indigenous Ainu people. Nibutani is the site of the Ainu Cultural center. Nibutani's best known son is perhaps Shigeru Kayano, a 20th-century advocate for the Ainu and Ainu language and culture. The cultural landscape along the Saru River consisting of Ainu traditions and modern settlement within Biratori has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape.

Economy

Biratori is primarily an agricultural town, growing many different kinds of fruits and vegetables for people and livestock. Tomatoes are one of the top products of the town. It was also known for its lumber industry.

Tourist attractions

Some noteworthy attractions in Biratori:

Culture

Mascot

Biratori's mascot is Bilicky (ビラッキー). His name is a pun on "be lucky". He is a tomato with a horn and hooves of a bull, a pig's nose and a lily of a valley on his back. His birthday is 12 September.

Notable people