falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuta village town office (present-day Tōyako). 1896: The town office of Kutchan opens. 1899: Changes jurisdiction from Muroran Subprefecture (present-day Iburi Subprefecture) to Iwanai Subprefecture. 1906: Administered as a second-level municipality. 1910: On February 8, Rusutsu, Iwanai, and Otaru’s subprefectures were consolidated into Abuta District of Muroran Subprefecture. Shiribeshi Subprefecture is established in Kutchan. On April 5, the satellite village of East Kutchan (present-day Kyōgoku) is formed. Nisekoan, Higa, and the Fujizan area become part of the Shutai village administration zone (present-day Niseko) 1916: Administered as a town-level municipality 1991: 100-year anniversary is celebrated. Economy Agriculture Along with short grain white rice, much of Kutchan's surrounding area is devoted to potato cultivation. Hirafu Kutchan hosts the Hirafu skiing area. Hirafu is commonly mistaken as a section of Niseko town since it is a part of the greater Niseko skiing region. However, to the financial benefit of Kutchan, Hirafu lies within the confines of Kutchan town. Hirafu's largest ski resort, Niseko Grand Hirafu, draws the highest number of both domestic and foreign skiers and snowboarders than any other resort in the Niseko region. It is linked to the ski areas of Annupuri, Higashiyama, and Hanazono which together may be skied on one lift pass. In recent years, an explosively high number of Australians have frequented Hirafu, many of whom have settled in the area and spawned businesses such as pensions, bars, and cafes. Hirafu is also frequented by a considerable number of tourists from Hong Kong, as well as tourists coming from within Japan. Hirafu's expanding tourism industry is often attributed to the steady and copious supply of fresh powder snow, which many claim is among the best in the entire hemisphere, if not the world. While Hirafu's economic boom is undoubtedly an asset to Kutchan town, many fear that such rapid development will alter the price margin of goods and services offered in the village, and subsequently transform the local flavor of Hirafu. The local community of both Japanese and foreign "backpacker" skiers and snowboarders, who typically operate on a smaller budget than their upscale counterparts, are already being overshadowed by the burgeoning influx of wealthy tourists. Education Public High Schools Hokkaido Kutchan High School Hokkaido Kutchan Agriculture High School Middle schools Kutchan Elementary schools Kutchan, Hokuyo, Higashi, Nishi, Kabayama Branch School Transportation Airways Airport New Chitose Airport is the closest major airport to