is a town located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is located on the edge of the Tokachi Plain at an altitude of above sea level. As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 2,528 and a density of 4.2 persons per km². The total area is 608.81 km². Climate Rikubetsu is ranked as Japan's coldest area. Daily mean temperature in January is , the average low temperature in the end of January and beginning of February are below , which are the coldest in Japan. Mascots Rikubetsu's mascots are and . Shibare-kun is a Siberian boy from the Amur River area. He sailed to Japan through the trails of drift ice. He carries a thermometer to remind everyone that Rikubetsu is Japan's coldest place. Tsurara-chan is a Canadian girl. She flew to Japan through the path of the aurora borealis. Her goal is to prevent climate change. References External links Official Website Towns in Hokkaido