Rikubetsu Japan

map

  • Rikubetsu is centrally located on the northern island of Hokkaido and is a small community with a population of 2,528 (as of 2016).
  • Forestry and agriculture (dairy products, soybeans, and vegetables) are the main industries.

Ginga No Mori Astronomical Observatory

The Rikubetsu Space Earth Sciences Museum (Ginga No Mori Astronomical Observatory) in Rikubetsu houses one of the largest telescopes in Japan.

observatory

observatory2

telescope

Twinning History

Lacombe and Rikubetsu, Japan were officially twinned in 1986. Lacombe Mayor Charles Budd and Rikubetsu Mayor Sugita signed a formal agreement to twin the two communities for the purpose of cultural understanding and exchange.

Each year we continue to develop the friendship between our two communities through cultural exchange trips.

For more information visit our Facebook page: @LacombeDistrictRikubetsufriendshipSociety
Or Call Marlene McQuesten at 403-782-5834