title: Otobe, Hokkaido
text: # Otobe, Hokkaido
  
  Otobe (乙部町, Otobe-chō) is a town located in Hiyama Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
  
  As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 3,925, and a density of 24 persons per $km^2.$ The total area is 162.55 $km^2.$
  
  ## Geography
  
  Otobe is located on the western of the Oshima Peninsula and faces the Sea of Japan.
  
  The name came from Ainu word that means "The river with a marsh in its estuary". This river is Hime River, which flows through the town.
  
  ### Neighboring towns
  
  * Hiyama Subprefecture
     * Esashi
     * Assabu
  * Oshima Subprefecture
     * Yakumo
  
  ## History
  
  * 1902: Otobe became a Second Class Village.
  * 1965: Otobe Village became Otobe Town.
  
  ## Education
  
  * Junior high school
     * Otobe Junior High School
  * Elementary schools
     * Otobe Elementary School
     * Sakaehama Elementary School
     * Meiwa Elementary School
  