Monbetsu, Hokkaido

Monbetsu
紋別市
The city viewed from Mount Monbetsu
Location of Monbetsu in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Monbetsu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 44°21′N 143°21′E / 44.350°N 143.350°E / 44.350; 143.350
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Government
  MayorYoshikazu Miyakawa
Area
  Total
830.70 km2 (320.74 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
  Total
22,983
  Density27.67/km2 (71.7/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2-1-18, Saiwaichō, Mombetsu-shi, Hokkaidō
094-8707
ClimateDfb
Websitemombetsu.jp
Symbols
FlowerRugosa Rose
TreeJapanese Rowan

Monbetsu (紋別市, Monbetsu-shi) is a city located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan; on the Sea of Okhotsk. The name comes from Ainu Mopet (Quiet River), Ainu "-pet" would be interpreted "-betsu" in Japanese as well of other city names in Hokkaido.

As of September 30, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 22,983 and a population density of 27.67 persons per km2. The total area is 830.70 km2 (320.74 sq mi).

Most of Monbetsu's economy is dedicated to fishing for cold-water species such as crab. The crab from Monbetsu is reputedly the best in Japan, and is such a source of town pride that a sculpture of a crab claw nearly 10 m tall was built on the waterfront.