Hidaka, Hokkaido

Hidaka (日高町, Hidaka-chō) is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Hidaka

日高町
Town
Flag
Symbol
Location of Hidaka in Hokkaido (Hidaka Subprefecture)
Hidaka
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°29′N 142°4′E
CountryJapan
RegionHokkaido
PrefectureHokkaido (Hidaka Subprefecture)
DistrictSaru
Government
 • Mayor(三輪 茂)
Area
 • Total992.67 km2 (383.27 sq mi)
Population
 (September 30, 2016)
 • Total12,596
 • Density13/km2 (33/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address210-1 Monbetsu Honchō, Hidaka-chō, Saru-gun, Hokkaidō
059-2192　
Websitewww.town.hidaka.hokkaido.jp

Geography

Hidaka Town is divided into two exclaves, which coincide with the former towns of Hidaka and Monbetsu. The town of Biratori lies between the two wards separating them. Hidaka Ward (Hidaka-ku) lies in the Hidaka Mountains at a cross road leading to Sapporo, Furano, Obihiro, and Biratori. These crossroads lead to Hidaka and Nisshō passes. Monbetsu Ward (Monbetsu-ku) lies on the coast of the Pacific Ocean at the outlet of the Saru River.

A train line used to run up to Hidaka along the Saru River. The train carried lumber from the logging camps down to the coast. The train line is no longer used.

The entire town has an area of 992.67 square kilometres (383.27 sq mi). Hidaka ward has an area of 563.94 square kilometres (217.74 sq mi) and Monbetsu ward has an area of 428.73 square kilometres (165.53 sq mi).[1]

Transport

Rail

Hidaka was served by the JR Hokkaido Hidaka Main Line. However, no services have operated between Mukawa and Samani since January 2015, due to storm damage. Plans to restore this section of the line have been abandoned, due to declining passenger numbers and very high maintenance costs, and the section will be officially closed on 1 April 2021 to be replaced by a bus service.

Stations in Hidaka: Tomikawa - Hidaka-Mombetsu - Toyosato - Kiyohata - Atsuga

Demographics

As of September 2016, Hidaka had a population of 12,596.

History

On March 1, 2006, the town of Monbetsu was merged into Hidaka.

Sports

Hidaka also has a ski slope called the Hidaka Skijo, which has 4 chairlifts and an onsen called Kogenso.

Art and Culture

There is also a Shonen Shizen no Ie Boys' Nature House.

References
  1. Official Home Page of Hidaka Town Archived 2008-04-07 at the Wayback Machine, last access 3 June 2008


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.