Matsumae, Hokkaido 2.4

is a town located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The former home of the Matsumae Han, it has an Edo period castle, Matsumae Castle, the only one in Hokkaido, and Ryūun-in.The total area of the town is 293.11km2.GeographyThe town is located on the southern end of the Matsumae Peninsula. In addition the town governs the two islands in the Tsugaru Strait, Oshima and Kojima.DemographicsAs of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 7,843 and a density of 26.7 persons per km².History1900: Fukuyama town was founded.1940: Fukuyama changed its name to Matsumae.1953: Matsumae Line opened.1954: Matsumae town, Oshima village, Osawa village, and Kojima village were merged to form Matsumae town.1988: Matsumae Line was abolished.EducationHigh school Hokkaido Matsumae High School (the southernmost high school in Hokkaido)Sister cities Omihachiman, Shiga (since 1984) Masaki, Ehime (since 1990) Date, Fukushima (since 2011)