Hidaka, Hokkaido

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

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 km2. Hidaka ward has an area of 563.94 km2 and Monbetsu ward has an area of 428.73 km2.

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 was officially closed on 1 April 2021 and 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.

Mascot
Hidaka's mascot is Kurumi-chan (クルミちゃん). Her name means "walnut". She is a squirrel who loves walnuts grown in the town. Her companion is Tonekko-kun (とねっこクン) who is a horse from Monbetsu. Tonekko-kun's designer is Hiroshi Kurogane.