Hometown tax: win a life-size dinosaur fossil replica

The replicas are offered in two positions, either standing up straight or the same as the real fossil, with its head ducked low. Smaller, 1:5 scale versions of the replicas are available for a more moderate donation of at least 20 million yen (about $151,000). All four versions will be built to order. The town already had "hometown tax" gift offerings with two main pillars: Hobetsu melons and Mukawa shishamo, the local variety of Hokkaido smelt. But among stiff competition with other municipalities, the town's income from the system is the lowest-ranking in the prefecture. It surpassed 100 million yen (about $754,000) in 2018 after the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, but has since lingered in the ballpark of 30-40 million yen (about $226,000 to $301,000). Donations made in 2021 stood at 77.48 million yen (about $584,000). With this year's contributions remaining low and the catch of Mukawa shishamo rapidly declining, the town decided to place its hopes on the famous dinosaur.

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