2. Hobetsu MuseumMukawa Cho Hobetsu was a town located in Yūfutsu District, Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 3,727 and a density of 6.82 persons per km². The total area is 546.48 km². On March 27, 2006, Hobetsu was merged into the expanded town of Mukawa . Train service has been discontinued to this town, although it can be accessed via the public bus system. By car, Hobetsu is located approximately 30 to 40 minutes north of Mukawa along Route 74. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.