Kushiro

Kushiro, Japan

Kushiro, city, eastern Hokkaido, northern Japan. It is situated along both banks of the Kushiro River where that river empties into the Pacific Ocean.

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The city was first settled by 537 Japanese immigrants in 1870. The natural harbour of the river mouth has since been developed into the largest commercial and fishing port of eastern Hokkaido. The Kushiro coalfield is worked near the city. Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, just north of the city, protects wetland habitat for cranes and other aquatic birds. The city also serves as the southern entrance to Akan National Park in the mountains farther to the north. Pop. (2005) 190,478; (2010) 181,169.