Noboribetsu 5.28

is a city in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, it is southwest of Sapporo, west of Tomakomai and northeast of Hakodate.As of September 2016, the city has an estimated population of 49,523, and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area is 212.11 km².The city office is in Horobetsu. The town of Noboribetsu is at the mouth of the Noboribetsu river and is therefore a much narrower area.GeographyThe mountains dominate the west and north while the plains dominate around five km within the coastline. There are three towns along the Pacific Ocean: from northeast to southwest, Noboribetsu, Horobetsu and Washibetsu. These betsu are derived from "river" in the Ainu language. Noboribetsu is on the Noboribetsu River. Horobetsu and Washibetsu are on the Iburi-horobetsu River and the Washibetsu River respectively.Origin of NameThe name, Noboribetsu, derives from an Ainu word, nupur-pet, which means dark-colored river; the kanji, meaning "climbing different", are used for their phonetic value only, and have no relation to the original meaning.History1919: Horobetsu village was founded.1951: Horobetsu village became Horobetsu town.1961: Horobetsu town renamed to Noboribetsu town.1970: Noboribetsu town became Noboribetsu city.