to a test operation from the middle of July until the middle of August. Shiraoi introduced the raising of beef cattle from Shimane Prefecture in 1954. In 1966, Shiraoi began with the production of chicken eggs. Shiraoi boasts 550,000 chickens, and a business worth ¥2.8 billion. Arts and culture Annual cultural events Shiraoi has four annual festivals: Shiraoi Dosanko Winter Festival — early February Shiraoi Beef Festival — early June Shiraoi Port Festival — early August Shiraoi Cheipu Festival — early September Museums and other points of interest The Ainu Museum, commonly known as Poroto Kotan – A natural history museum depicting a traditional Ainu village. Performers show traditional crafts and dances like the iomante rimse. Lake Kuttara Inkura Falls Mount Horohoro Ayoro Beach Kojohama hotsprings Education Elementary schools Middle schools Other schools Infrastructure Transportation Shiraoi has several stations on the Muroran Main Line: Kojōhama Takeura Kita-yoshihara Hagino Shiraoi Shadai Shiraoi is served by the following bus companies: Donan bus Co.,Ltd Hokkaido Chuo Bus Co., ltd. Shiraoi is served by the following roads and highways: Hokkaidō Expressway Interchange at Shiraoi Parking area at Hagino National highways: Japan National Route 36 Prefectural roads: Hokkaidō Highway 86 Hokkaidō Highway 350 Hokkaidō Highway 388 Hokkaidō Highway 701 Hokkaidō Highway 1045 Sister cities Shiraoi has the following twin city relationships: Quesnel, Canada since 1981 Sendai, Japan since 1981 Morita (now part of Tsugaru), Japan since 1991 Sports The Shadai Stallion Station is located here. Shadai Stallion Station has bought high-profile thoroughbreds for their breeding program, such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem. Notable people from Shiraoi Giichi Nomura, advocate and activist for the Ainu people Hiromi Yamamoto, speed skater References External links Official Website The Ainu Museum Website Towns in Hokkaido