Hinokage, Miyazaki

Hinokage (日之影町, Hinokage-chō) is a town located in Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

Hinokage

日之影町
Town
Hinokage Town Office
Flag
Emblem
Location of Hinokage in Miyazaki Prefecture
Hinokage
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°39′40″N 131°23′22″E
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureMiyazaki Prefecture
DistrictNishiusuki
Area
  Total277.67 km2 (107.21 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2019)
  Total3,656
  Density13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
Websitewww.hinokage.jp
Symbols
BirdJapanese bush warbler
FlowerAzalea
TreeJapanese zelkova

As of October 1, 2019, the town has an estimated population of 3,656[1] and a density of 13.2 persons per km². The total area is 277.67 km².

Located next to the religio-historically significant town of Takachiho, Hinokage is known primarily for its three large bridges, traditional Kagura dances, and the work of Kazuo Hiroshima, a traditional weaver of bamboo baskets. Like many districts in rural Japan, the area has been struggling with an aging population and an exodus of young people to Tokyo and other major cities. The town's population peaked in the 1950s at 16,199 people, (Cort & Nakamura, 1994) but has steadily declined since the closure of the Mitate mine in March, 1970. (記念編纂部会, 1997) Between 2000 and 2005 four area elementary and middle schools were closed, and more closures are planned in the future.

The region was heavily damaged in the September, 2005 Typhoon Nabi, and local rail service has been suspended indefinitely.

References

  • Cort, Louise Allison and Kenji Nakamura (1994). A Basketmaker in Rural Japan. Washington: Smithsonian Institution. ISBN 0-8348-0336-4.
  • 記念誌編纂部会 (1997). 大空に翔ける: 日之影町立日之影中学校創立50周年記念誌 日之影町:創立50周年記念事業実行委員会.
  1. "Official website of Hinokage Town" (in Japanese). Japan: Hinokage Town. Archived from the original on 4 June 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2017.


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