Iwanai is one of the oldest towns in the region. Unlike many Hokkaido towns, it predates the
Meiji Restoration, having started as a seasonal fishing location c. 1450, and developing into a year-round village in the mid-18th century. (Its official founding date is 1751). Citizens of Iwanai whose families have been native for many generations have a peculiar "fisherman" accent to their Japanese, distinct to others living in the region. (Most Hokkaido citizens speak Kantō, or Tokyo region, dialect; their ancestors emigrated from the
Kantō region in the late 19th century). A massive fire broke out in Iwanai in 1954, partly due to the effects of
Typhoon Marie, and destroyed most of the traditional buildings, as they were mostly wooden structures. Modern Iwanai is much more Western in style, although there are still extensive Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples intact or rebuilt in the traditional fashion. The town also has a large shrine festival held every July. • 1897: Iwanai Subprefecture was established. • 1900: Iwanai Town became a First Class Town. • 1910: Iwanai Subprefecture was abolished and
Shiribeshi Subprefecture was established in
Kutchan. • 1954: A massive fire occurred. • 1955: Iwanai Town was merged with Shimano Village to form the new town of Iwanai. • 1985: Iwanai Line was abolished. ==Geography==