is a village located in Rumoi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the village has an estimated population of 1,249 and a density of 4.5 persons per km2. The total area is 280.04 km2. Shosanbetsu observatory is a planetarium-cum-astronomical observatory which is a popular attraction in this region. Shosanbetsu was the hometown of famed bear hunter Yamamoto Heikichi, famous for his killing of the bear Kesagake. Climate Mascot Shosanbetsu's mascot is who is an alien bear. Her ears resembled that of shooting stars. She wear a helmet that resembled a Shosanbetsu Observatory, a necklace made of blue honeysuckle and a pochette that resembled a pufferfish. She is designed by Eiichi Shiozaki of Osaka. References External links Official Website Villages in Hokkaido