| Bibai | |||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||
| Settlement Type: | City | ||
| Seal Type: | Emblem | ||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Japan | ||
| Coordinates: | 43.3333°N 192°W | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Name1: | Hokkaido | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||
| Subdivision Name2: | Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture) | ||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||
| Extinct Title: | Now part of | ||
| Leader Title: | Mayor | ||
| Leader Name: | Hisashi Sakurai (since 2023) | ||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||
| Area Total Km2: | 277.69 | ||
| Population Total: | 19,242 | ||
| Population As Of: | May 31, 2023 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | 69.3 | ||
| Timezone1: | JST | ||
| Utc Offset1: | +09:00 | ||
| Blank Name Sec1: | City hall address | ||
| Blank Info Sec1: | 1-1, Minami Itchōme, Nishi San-jō, Bibai-shi, Hokkaidō 072-8660 | ||
| Blank Name Sec2: | Climate | ||
| Blank Info Sec2: | Dfb | ||
| Module: |
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is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
As of 2023, the city has an estimated population of 19,242, and the density of 69.3 persons per km2. The total area is 277.69 km2.
The name Bibai is derived from Ainu word "pipa o i", meaning "Place (swamp) with many cockscomb pearl mussels".[1] [2]
At its peak, Bibai was a coal town that produced over a million tons annually. However, ever since the mine was closed in 1972, the city has suffered a slowly declining population.[3]
Ishikari River flows to west of Bibai. Bibai Dam was built on the Bibai River, a tributary of Ishikari River.
Lake Miyajima was registered as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention in 2002.[4]
Hakodate Main Line Minami-Bibai Branch Line used to run from Bibai to Minami-Bibai.
Straight line section of Route 12 is the longest in Japan.
Bibai's mascots are . He is a greater white-fronted goose. He is unveiled in 1986. is Mami-chan's assistant who is a yakitori.[5] [6]