Hidaka Subprefecture

Hidaka (日高支庁 Hidaka-shichō) is a subprefecture in southern central Hokkaidō. It has a land area of 4,811.91 km². The estimated number of inhabitants is 81,407 (2007), making it the fourth least populous subprefecture on the island.

Hidaka has no cities. There are five single township districts, and one with two towns. The subprefecture office is in Urakawa town.

Hidaka is the largest centre for thoroughbred racehorse breeding and training in Japan, and there are many stables.

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History

Hidaka Province (日高国 Hidaka no kuni) was established at the beginning of the Meiji Period in 1869, but then abolished with the other Hokkaidō provinces in 1882. Urakawa Subprefecture was set up in 1897 and then renamed as Hidaka in 1932.

The name 'Hidaka' comes from the ancient Japanese Nihon Shoki [1]. (There are a number of other places called Hidaka in Honshu and Shikoku.)

Geography

Hidaka is located between the Pacific Ocean to the southeast and the Hidaka Mountains which form the border with Tokachi Subprefecture to the northeast.

Transport and communications

The Japan Railways Hidaka Line (日高本線 Hidaka Honsen) runs from Tomakomai (the terminus of the Chitose and Muroran Lines) in the northwest along the length of the Pacific coast of Hidaka to reach Samani in the southeast, close to Cape Erimo. This is a 'one-man' line with a single driver-conductor.

A road expressway links Tomakomai with Hidaka township, just over the northern subprefectural border, thereafter the main thoroughfare is Route 235 that follows the coastline to Urakawa. From Urakawa Route 236 turns inland to cross the Hidaka Mountains via Nozuka tunnel into Tokachi Subprefecture, while Route 336 follows a coastal route via Erimo to the same ultimate destination.

There are no airports in Hidaka.

Local government

The districts and towns of Hidaka Subprefecture

Hidaka District: Shinhidaka • Horoizumi District: Erimo • Niikappu District: Niikappu • Samani District: Samani • Saru District: Hidaka • Biratori • Urakawa District: Urakawa

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