ABOUT KITAMI

Location

Kitami Institute of Technology is located in Kitami, a central city of northeastern Hokkaido, and midway between Mt. Daisetsu and the sea of Okhotsk. It is on a plain surrounded by mountains and is the commercial center of the Okhotsk area.

The nearest airport from Kitami Institute of Technology is Memanbetsu Airport. The airport, which is about 50 minutes drive away from the campus, directly links the Okhotsk region to Japan’s major cities: Tokyo (1h. 40m.), Osaka (2h.45m.), Nagoya (2h), and Sapporo (50m.).

Kitami is within one hour’s drive to 3 national parks and is the gateway to the sightseeing areas of north-eastern Hokkaido.

Kitami Institute of Technology(center)

1. Climate

Kitami has the largest number of sunny days in Japan as well as one of the lowest rainfall rates. Taking advantage of this climate, researches on the practical use of solar energy are actively done. Temperature difference is large between summer and winter, and people enjoy four distinct seasons.
Spring (April to June) is a beautiful season with various flowers in bloom. Unlike in the main island there is no rainy season in Hokkaido. Summer is short but the temperature rises above 30℃ on warm days. Corns, potatoes, onions, melons, apples and grapes are some of the local products harvested in autumn (September to November), and the autumn colors in the surrounding mountains afford pleasure to the eye. December marks the start of long winter. The average snowfall throughout the season is approximately 40 cm, while the lowest temperature is around minus 20℃. Ice floes come ashore in the Sea of Okhotsk in February and March.

2. Events

Kitami has three main seasonal festivals. Summer festival in July features dance parades and fireworks. Carefully crafted, colorful chrysanthemum figures attract tourists at the chrysanthemum festival in October. Snow statues and ice sculptures are made by the citizens for the winter festival in February. There are numerous other unique events and festivals in the neighboring communities throughout the year, while recreations such as hiking, mountain climbing, skiing and outside spa can be enjoyed as well.

3. Housing

Dormitories, boarding houses and apartments are the main options for the students’ housing in Kitami. Dormitory rooms are the least expensive but the availability varies.
Boarding houses usually provide meals but boarders often have to share bathrooms. Rooms in Japan are normally unfurnished. There are a number of boarding houses and apartment houses around the campus.

4. Dining and shopping

There are a cafeteria and stores on campus. The cafeteria serves lunch and supper; the shops have books, school supplies, food and daily necessities. Food and daily necessities are also available at the convenience store near the campus.

5. Extra-status activity (Part-time job)

International students are advised to concentrate on their study and research, which is the primary purpose of coming to Japan. Part-time jobs are permitted only when it is considered to be necessary for reasons such as paying tuitions. The average pay is around 700 yen/hour. Works in any places under the Entertainment Establishment Control Law are prohibited, and the work hours must not exceed the following limits:

6. Living expense

The average expenses in Kitami per month are as follows: