is a small town located in Hiyama Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Assabu is situated in the Oshima Peninsula of southern Hokkaido near the Japan Sea. Assabu is around an hour's drive by car from Hakodate and 15 minutes to Esashi. Other transport links include a road from Yakumo on the east coast and a bus to Esashi. The bus-rail links from the Esashi (JR Esashi-Line) and Hakodate railway stations closed in 2014 when the Esashi train line closed. The drive to Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, takes around four and one-half hours on the toll expressway; around six hours on the toll-free highways. Geography The municipality is landlocked, comprising several valley basins and is encircled by forest-clad hills, opening out towards the Japan sea to the west. More than 80% of the Assabu municipal area is forested, including Hiba (Japanese Cypress), Goyoumatsu (Japanese White Pine) and Todomatsu (Sakhalin Fir) species. Nearby cities and towns Yakumo to the north Hokuto to the north east Otobe to the north west Kikonai to the south and east Esashi to the west Kaminokuni to the south Mountains Mt. (elevation: 147 m) Mt. (elevation: 1017 m) Rivers There are numerous rivers running through the area, the largest of which is the . Industry Agriculture, forestry, dairy farming and the local government are Assabu's main sources of employment. The district's leading crop, the May Queen potato, is sold around Japan and is the town mascot. Other crops grown in the Assabu area include Daikon (radish), Hikari black soybeans, Dainagon Azuki (red beans) and rice. A shōchū (white spirit) made from May Queen potatoes is produced in the town. Assabu also makes its own sake, while locally grown grapes are blended in a southern Hokkaido wine. Kuromame-cha is a tea blend brewed using Assabu-grown black beans. Local attractions The town has a variety of in and outdoor recreational facilities. There are three local Onsen (Gamushi Onsen in Kamisato, Uzura Onsen and Tate Onsen). Assabu has a public swimming pool (closed in winter) and Park Golf (a combination of golf, mini golf and croquet, invented in Japan). Forest walks are available on local hill Taikoyama (drum mountain) and the Reku-no-mori, Tsuchihashi Nature Observation and Education Forest, where there are also camping facilities. The town has its own ski-field, suitable for beginners, which is located on the slopes of Mt. Taiko. Wildlife is abundant in Assabu; two-legs compete with plenty of