city of eniwa
Welcome to the
City of Eniwa
Karinba 3 Rice Farming The Izari River
Recreation Dairy Farming The Floral Nursery Center
The Urban Planning Master Plan Strategic Planning Economic Development
The Eniwa Research Business Park The Eniwa Techno park University
The Eniwa Community Health Center The Sunflower Children Centre
The Public Library The Musoukan Cultural Arts Center
City Council
Sister City and International Activities
Some Fast Facts
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Karinba 3 is located in Eniwa's Kogane District neighboring Hokkaido Bunkyo University. Karinba 3 covers an area of around 33,000 square meters and was the designated site of Danchi Chuoh Street. Located 800 meters north of Eniwa JR station the area has been unearthed by the Board of Education, research was conducted at the site from May 11, 1999 until November 30 1999.
Karinba is named for the creek which ran dry during land development after the 2nd World War. There are still traces of the creek 3 meters wide surrounded by wooded elm and oak. It is situated at the lower plateau on the right bank of Karinba Creek 25 meters above sea level. It is 3 meters higher campared with where a creek used to be and extends on a gentle slope over 50-80 meters at the end of the plateau. The unearthed area covers around 3,000 square meters, 15 meters wide by 20 meters long, located at the end of the plateau.
Remnants of pit dwellings from the Satsumon Period and around 300 grave pits from the Jomon Period have been excavated. Most widely notable among all these finds are 35 grave pits which are thought to date back to the second half of the end of the Jomon Period (about 3,000 years ago). In particular the discovery of one large sized public grave pit, 2.5 meters in diameter 1 meter in depth and 3 smaller public grave pits (nos. 118, 119 and 123), 1.7 meters in diameter 90 cm deep, have had great significance in this excavation. This is due to their containing many artifacts and pieces in unprecedented numbers. Remains of the grave pits, however, were not able to be unveiled in their ground state to the public because most excavated lacquer ware artifacts were so fragile and fine it was decided to not go on with research with a severe, cold winter close at hand. Finally the decision was made to scoop out 3 whole grave pits (Nos. 118, 119 and 123) and move them into an archaeological museum to continue research.
As much as 70% of lacquer ware items and beads have been furnished from the most notable 35 grave pits. A grave pit in the ground has an elliptical shape with a long diameter of 1-1.5 meters, a short diameter of 0.5-1 meter and a depth of 0.3-1 meter. The method of burial used in these pits is called ‘Kusso’ in Japanese. The body is adorned with a headband and a necklace is placed about the neck. The body is then laid in the pit on its side in the fetal position with the arms crossed, head pointing to the west and feet to the east. This knowledge regarding the layout of the body was obtained from the location of artifacts and human teeth. Excavated lacquer ware items totaled 94 including 44 combs, 20 bracelets, waist decorative strings, 12 hair rings and others that had never been seen previously.
Rice Farming
Archives say that, in Hokkaido, rice has been grown successfully in the domain of Matsumae since the Edo Period. At that time most Japanese had always believed it was impossible to grow rice to the north of Southern Hokkaido due to the climate. In fact, a band of farmer-soldier-settlers were prevented from growing rice by the Hokkaido Development Agency. Kyuzo Nakayama, who settled in Eniwa, successfully grew rice by improving, Akage, a variety of rice. Akage has since become widely used in Hokkaido.
The Izari River
The headwaters of the Izari River begin at the foot of Mt. Eniwa and meanders through the mountainous woodlands. In early spring, many residents go into the mountain area, up the river to pick edible plants along hiking trails. Eniwa Lake, built as a reservoir and for means of flood control, lies on the Izari River. Forest Park and Sakura Park, near Eniwa Lake, offer a variety of recreational facilities including picnic tables and playground equipment. The river runs downstream through downtown, the surrounding suburban sprawl and agricultural lands eventually flowing into the Chitose River. The Ainu people, the native residents of Hokkaido, once lived along the Izari River basin. The very name Izari is derived from the Ainu word ‘Echany’ which means spawning grounds of salmon.
Recreation
Eniwa hosts a splendid network of nature trails and has sprawling sports facilities. The diversity of outdoor facilities ensures that in Eniwa sports can be enjoyed almost year round. A city owned sports center, an athletic sports playing field, tennis courts, a baseball field and others are available for use by enthusiasts. Banjiri, up the Izari River, has always been a place for outdoorsmen to enjoy hiking, fishing, walks and rambling. In fall come join us for the Eniwa Valley Marathon, where runners enjoy the course ablaze with autumnal hues. In winter there is a cross country ski race in which the ski route offers a variety of landscapes. A skating rink and a novice skiing area are also available for use.
Dairy Farming
Eniwa is a significant dairy farming community at the center of milk production in Hokkaido. Eniwa is considered the King of the Dairy Farms and is perfectly located to distribute to all major markets. Eniwa dairy production leads the way with an average annual production of 8.600kg per cow. This far surpasses the average in Hokkaido which is 7,880 kg per cow. Most in the dairy industry know that dairy cows in Eniwa produce great quantities of milk.
The Floral Nursery Center
Ohdori Park in Sapporo is largely seen as the symbol of landscaping in Hokkaido. Most people, however, don’t know that more than 70% of the varieties of plants found in the flower beds of Ohdori Park are provided from Eniwa. Eniwa’s Floral Nursery Center works to provide many varieties of plants accounting for almost 50% of those found in Hokkaido. Eniwa is also embraced as the Garden City through partnership with enthusiastic garden lovers and growers. The Eniwa Floral Festival held every late June gives an opportunity to experience life rich in flowers. This is done by hosting a variety of events such as, the Fair of Flowers, a concert and a garden competition. Attendees will also be able to enjoy excursions to private gardens in Megumino New Town.
The Urban Planning Master Plan
The Urban Planning Law, revised in 1991, delegates planning and zoning regulatory powers to municipalities. The City of Eniwa has the authority to create a Planning Commission to prepare the Urban Planning Master Plan, zoning ordinances, and subdivision regulations in order to guide development within this framework. The Master Plan is not yet officially adopted, but the Department of Planning made a draft Urban Planning Master Plan and distributed its summary to all households on October 1, 1999. The public hearings and special work sessions were held in response to special information requests. The staff also provided professional planning and technical support with citizen participation.
The draft vision of the Master Plan is as follows:
To concentrate effectively and functionally land use
To allow commercial development that contributes to downtown business
To maintain traffic circulation and create pedestrian-friendly streets
To create environmentally-oriented public spaces that include natural resouces
To improve the appearance of the community
To focus on the community being designated as being resistant to disaster
To provide amenities and enhance public safety particularly to meet the needs of the elderly population
To increase citizen participation in government process
Strategic Planning
The vision for Eniwa: To develop the synergy between the environment and Research & Technology. The Eniwa Municipal Development Plan focuses on the revitalization of Eniwa for the 21st century. The strategy has been designed to accomplish two long range goals. First, the Garden City Project, to integrate the rivers, parks, forests and flower gardens into the community so that it becomes in harmony with nature, a beautiful landscape with an urban village atmosphere. Second, the Eniwa High Complex City Project, to enhance the community by promoting the expansion of the Eniwa Research Business Park, the West Shimamatsu Land Development and Downtown Development to ensure a vibrant city core and to attract Universities and Institutions.
Economic Development
The manufacturing industry in Eniwa is comprised of 7 industrial parks, including private sector ones, such as the Eniwa Industrial Park and the Eniwa Techno Park. As many as 292 manufacturing plants have been built in these industrial parks, which cover a total area of 350.5 ha. Eniwa ranks 9th among municipalities of Hokkaido in terms of value of shipments of goods from manufacturers. Eniwa is the choice location for an array of Hokkaido Breweries including, Sapporo Beer Company and other well-known manufacturers. Economic development in Eniwa has been facilitated relatively well because of a well-trained, capable and available work force for industrial employment. This, in turn, has lead to a high quality of life for residents. Eniwa's close proximity to major market areas is essential to its success; the city's industrial parks are well situated in close proximity to downtown Sapporo, a 40 minute drive and to New Chitose Airport a 25 minute drive. Tomakomai, Otaru and Ishikari, all port cities, are within a sphere of 40 km in diameter.
The Eniwa Research Business Park 
The Eniwa Research Business Park, established in 1990, was designed to attract technology-intensive operations. The Eniwa Research Business Park Center is an incubator for new advanced technology companies. It plays a significant role in the Eniwa High Complex City Project, which stresses collaboration between government, business and education. Its aim is a community committed to advanced technology through pursuit of leading edge universities and research centers. Educational facilities such as Hokkaido College of High Technology, Waseda Institute of Systems & Electronics, Nihon Welfare and Rehabilitation School Center in Megumino New Town, and Hokkaido Bunkyo Junior College and Hokkaido Bunkyo University located in Kogane ward are all advanced technology pursuing institutions. The landscape of Megumino New Town rates highly as one of the 100 best landscapes in Hokkaido.
The Eniwa Techno Park
The Eniwa Techno Park, an industrial park owned by the city, is well known for selling land in a distinctive way. The City may trust the land with Mitsui Trust Bank and share in the development profits by selling to individual developers or builders and letting them construct the buildings. The planning, financing and subdivision of land into development parcels will be dealt with by the trustee Mitsui Trust Bank.
Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes
Hokkaido Bunkyo University, Department of Foreign Languages, opened on April 1, 1999.
This Department offers programs of study in a variety of languages, English, Chinese and Japanese. Foreign language skills are indispensable in the era of globalization and information oriented society that is the 21st Century. The Department of Foreign Languages will help students become proficient communicators and prepare them for lead roles in the world community as well as broaden their international perspective.
Hokkaido Bunkyo Junior College, Hokkaido College of High Technology, Waseda Institute of Systems and Electronics and Nihon Therapy and Rehabilitation School offer courses and two year associate degree or certification programs providing career training in related professional subjects. The Research Institute of Resource Recycling, Kinki University, does research on soil biology, soil chemistry and soil fertility. Their research focuses on sustainable agriculture, waste management and environmentally sound utilization of wastes as soil amendments and sources of plant nutrients.
The Eniwa Community Health Center
The Eniwa Community Health Center with night emergency clinic, opened in 1975. It delivers such health services as medical check-ups, seminars on preventing the onset of many chronic diseases, rehabilitation training with advice of physiotherapists and manages health information for citizens. The Health Center meets medical needs on nights and holidays as well. The Center is designed as a user-friendly facility that is easily accessible to handicapped individuals due to all services being provided on the same floor.
The Sunflower Children Centre
The Sunflower Children Centre counsels parents on nurturing preschool children and early detection of physically and mentally handicapped preschool children. There are 5 nursery schools in Eniwa most of which show a tendency to nurse children with and without handicaps together. The Sunflower Children Centre supports these nursery schools by fostering the ideal of a symbiotic relationship oriented community.
The Public Library
The Eniwa Public Library is situated at the corner of Megumino Central Park. This modern building, flanked by a pleasant grass garden, was constructed in 1992. The library rates among the best in Hokkaido and is very heavily used. Its mission is to provide not only lending and informational services but, cultural and educational activities to the most diverse public. The commitment of neighborhood residents as well as the networking of Library membership promote the library by improving its services and resources.
The Musoukan Cultural Arts Center
The Musoukan Cultural Arts Center, which offers year round cultural events, is available to the public for rent. It has a 207 seat performance space, event hall, a meeting room and a community hall. A cafe, adjacent to the meeting room, is also open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The Musoukan Cultural Arts Center opened in May of 1999. The building of the Musoukan, which was originally a rice warehouse owned by the Eniwa Agricultural Cooperative, was remodeled into the Cultural Arts Center. The Eniwa Cultural Village Association, organized in June of 1998, set out to build the Cultural Arts Center to encourage cultural activity among the populous.
For rental or event information please contact:
Musoukan Cultural Arts Center, 15 Shimamatsu-Nakamachi Eniwa, Hokkaido 061-1352
Tel/Fax: 0123-36-6050
City Council
The City Council Office is located on the second floor of the Municipal Building. The Eniwa City Council consists of 22 members. Correspondence to the members of the City Council should be addressed to the City Council Office. Agenda and Newsletter information should be available at the City Council Office. The Eniwa City Council goes into session every three months. Meetings are aired live on cable TV in the lobby of the first floor of the Municipal Building.
Sister City and International Activities
During the Meiji period pioneers came from the town of Waki, located in Yamaguchi prefecture, and built the foundation of what is today Eniwa. Based on this historical evidence, in 1979, it was concluded that Waki and Eniwa should be sister cities. Elements of this exchange include; instruction, culture, industry and various other fields of study. The central theme of the exchange, however, is humanity and the resulting close relationship.
Eniwa carries out a vigorous level of cultural activity through international exchange. Activities cover a vast range including, but not limited to; foreign exchange student home stay, foreign language class, cooking class and sports. These forms of exchange introduce and enhance mutual understanding while creating a city abundant in international thought.
Eniwa’s international exchange is focused mainly between the cities of Guiyang in China and Timaru in New Zealand.
The exchange with Guiyang is handled at a very personal level. Citizen groups are essential to the advancement of this exchange.
The exchange with Timaru, on the other hand, is handled by the Eniwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Eniwa New Zealand Association. These groups advance relations with Timaru by focusing mainly on Middle and High School delegations, mutual introduction of local product through sales at established satellite shops and other business related projects that are being created and implemented. The mutual city planning concept, Garden City, is the formulaic exchange being used to widen the relationship between these Timaru and Eniwa.
Some Fast Facts
・Population( 2010.11 ) 68,872
・Housing Units( 2010.11 ) 30,362
・Square Kilometers- 294.87
0123-33-3131内線2211〜2216
0123-33-3137