Shosanbetsu (初山別村, Shosanbetsu-mura) is a village located in Rumoi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

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Quick Facts 初山別村, Country ...

Shosanbetsu 初山別村
Village
Shosanbetsu village wooden torii
Flag Seal
Location of Shosanbetsu in Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
Shosanbetsu Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°32′N 141°46′E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Rumoi Subprefecture)
District	Tomamae
Area
• Total	280.04 km2 (108.12 sq mi)
Population  (September 2016)
• Total	1,249
• Density	4.5/km2 (12/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
Climate	Dfb
Website	www.vill.shosanbetsu.lg.jp

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As of September 2016, the village has an estimated population of 1,249 and a density of 4.5 persons per km². The total area is 280.04 km². Shosanbetsu observatory is a planetarium-cum-astronomical observatory which is a popular attraction in this region.

Shosanbetsu was the hometown of famed bear hunter Yamamoto Heikichi, famous for his killing of the bear Kesagake.

Shosanbetsu's mascot is Syosamaru (しょさまる) who is an alien bear. Her ears resemble shooting stars. She wears a helmet that resembles the Shosanbetsu observatory, a necklace made of blue honeysuckle and a pochette that resembles a pufferfish. She was designed by Eiichi Shiozaki of Osaka.^[3]