is a city and port located in Nemuro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Nemuro Subprefecture. Much of the city lies on the Nemuro Peninsula. As of August 2026, the city has an estimated population of 21,632, with 12,015 households, and a population density of 56.74 persons per km2 (147.0 persons per sq. mi.). The total area is .
History Nemuro was developed by fisheries. In the early Meiji period, it was the largest city in eastern Hokkaido. 1900 Nemuro town was founded. 1906 Wada village was founded. 1915 Habomai village was founded. 1957 Nemuro town and Wada village were merged to form Nemuro city. 1959 Habomai village was merged into Nemuro city.
Climate Nemuro, like most of Hokkaido, has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb), but not far from a marine climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb) using the isotherm due to its low amplitude for a location close to mainland Asia and average temperatures during the winter. It has mild to warm summers and cold snowy winters. Like the more northerly Kuril Islands, it has an extremely strong seasonal lag, with the highest temperatures in August and September and lowest in February, though it is not so gloomy as extremely foggy North Pacific islands like Simushir or the Aleutian Islands in general. Its peninsular location makes Nemuro very windy, especially during autumn and winter, with mean wind speeds as high as in November.
Transportation
Air Nearby Nakashibetsu Airport serves Nemuro.
Rail Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) – Nemuro Main Line Stations in the city: Nemuro – Nishi-Wada – Kombumori – Ochiishi – Bettoga – Attoko
Road National Route 44 National Route 243
Sightseeing
Cape Nosappu Cape Hanasaki, including "Kurumaishi", a car wheel-shaped stone natural monument Cape Ochiishi, a fishing port The Ruins of Chashi in the Nemuro Peninsula Habomai Fishing Port Kotohira Shrine Lake Furen Lake Onnetō Meiji Park Ohashi Bridge Roadside station Swan 44 Nemuro Shunkunitai Wild Bird Sanctuary
Cuisine One local specialty of Nemuro is "escalope". This consists of tonkatsu (breaded deep-fried pork cutlets) over butter fried rice with a special demiglace sauce.
Nemuro is well known by the people of Hokkaido for its sushi because of the seafood caught there. Nemuro's seafood delicacies include Pacific saury, salmon, king crab, and shrimp.
Other delicacies in Nemuro include yakitori bento, Holland sanbei (waffle-like snack), soft serve ice cream, and monjayaki.
Economy Nemuro's economy is based on its fishing industry as many types of marine animals are found in the area all year long. Dairy processing is also an important part of the local economy. Local businesses like restaurants and tourism also plays a significant role in the economy. Nemuro boasts the largest catches of Pacific saury in all of Japan, which has led to efforts to export saury to Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam.
Education
High schools Hokkaido Nemuro High School
Mascot
Nemuro's mascot is . He is a fisherman owl who stores seafood products in his pocket. He is asleep and usually sleep-walks during the day but is active during the night. He was unveiled in April 2016.
Sister cities Nemuro is twinned with the following sister cities: Kurobe, Toyama, Japan Severo-Kurilsk, Russia Sitka, Alaska, United States Tebedu, Sarawak, Malaysia
References
External links
Official Website English Website