is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 2,286 and a population density of 12 persons per km². The total area is 189.51 km². Geography Route 230 and Route 276 cross each other in Kimobetsu. Nakayama Pass is on the eastern of the town. The name derived from Ainu word "kim-o-pet", meaning "The river in the mountain". Mountains: Mount Yōtei, Mount Shiribetsu Rivers: Shiribetsu River, Kimobetsu River Neighboring municipalities Shiribeshi Subprefecture Kyogoku Rusutsu Makkari Ishikari Subprefecture Minami-ku, Sapporo Iburi Subprefecture Date Climate Due to its mountainous location, Kimobetsu has a humid continental climate (Koppen Dfb). Summers are generally warm and wet, while winters are cold and extremely snowy. History 1897: Makkari Village split off from Abuta Village (now Toyako Town). 1901: Kaributo Village (now Niseko Town) was split off from Makkari Village. 1906: Makkari Village became a Second Class Village. 1910: Makkari Village was transferred from Muroran Subprefecture (now Iburi Subprefecture) to Shiribeshi Subprefecture. 1917: Kimobetsu Village (now town) was split off from Makkari Village. 1946: Kimobetsu Village became a First Class Village. 1952: Kimobetsu Village became Kimobetsu Town. Education Junior high school Kimobetsu Junior High School Elementary school Kimobetsu Elementary School Suzukawa Elementary School See also Shikotsu-Tōya National Park References External links Official Website Towns in Hokkaido