Shinhidaka, Hokkaido

Shinhidaka (新ひだか町) is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Shinhidaka is the most populous town, and the economic center of Hidaka Subprefecture.

History
The river valleys of what is now Shinhidaka were occupied by the Ainu. From the 19th century, people from Japan began to settle in the region.

On March 31, 2006, the town of Mitsuishi merged with the town of Shizunai to create the new town of Shinhidaka.

Geography
Shinhidaka is in southeastern Hokkaido, between the Pacific Ocean to the South and the Hidaka Mountains to the North. Several rivers rise in the mountains and empty into the sea, including the Shizunai River and the Mitsuishi River.

Shinhidaka has total area of 1,147.74 km2. Its highest location is Mount Kamuiekuuchikaushi (42.625°N, 142.76611°W) at 1,979.4 m (6,494 ft).

Demographics
As of November 2021, the town has an estimated population of 21,415, and a density of 18.7 persons per km2.

Rail
Shinhidaka 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 use 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 Shinhidaka: Shizunai - Higashi-Shizunai - Harutachi - Hidaka-Tōbetsu - Hidaka-Mitsuishi - Hōei - Honkiri

Arts and culture
Nijikken-dōro (二十間道路), literally, road 20 ken (36 m) in width, is an avenue lined with Ezo mountain cherry Prunus sargentii, (エゾヤマザクラ) trees and a major tourist attraction of the town. The 8 km road was created for a visit of the Imperial Family to the nearby Niikappu horse ranch in 1903. The ranch is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Agency. It took five years to transplant trees from the local mountains to create the avenue. It was finished in 1916. Shinhidaka holds a cherry blossom festival yearly in May at the road in Shizunai ward.

Mascots
Shinhidaka's mascots are Konbuman (こんぶマン) and Kobune-chan (こぶねちゃん). They are superhero siblings.


 * Kobuman is from Mitsuishi. He is usually active in events. He became mascot on 2 February 2013.
 * Kobume-chan became mascot on 10 August 2017. Like her brother, she is also usually active in events.

Sister cities

 * 🇺🇸 Lexington, Kentucky (United States)
 * 🇯🇵 Minamiawaji, Hyōgo Prefecture (Japan)
 * 🇯🇵 Mima, Tokushima Prefecture (Japan)
 * 🇯🇵 Sumoto, Hyōgo Prefecture (Japan)