Hamanaka Town in Akkeshi District faces the Pacific Ocean and has suffered damage from tsunamis many times in the past, resulting in a 17km long seawall along the coast. It is also known as the town where Japan's first tsunami disaster prevention station was built. The Kiritappu Wetlands stretch across the southern part of the town, where temperatures remain low even in summer and the area is prone to thick fog. Dairy farming is thriving in the inland areas, and the high-quality raw milk is used in famous restaurants and luxury ice cream. Fishing is actively carried out along the southern coast, and the town boasts the highest production of natural kelp in Japan. The town's name is said to come from the Ainu word "Otanoshike."