Niikappu, Hokkaido

Niikappu
新冠町
Town

Flag
Coat of Arms

Location of Niikappu in Hokkaido (Hidaka Subprefecture)
Niikappu
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 42°22′N 142°19′E / 42.367°N 142.317°E / 42.367; 142.317Coordinates: 42°22′N 142°19′E / 42.367°N 142.317°E / 42.367; 142.317
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Hidaka Subprefecture)
District Niikappu
Government
 • Mayor Kotake Kuniaki (小竹　國昭)[1]
Area
 • Total 585.88 km2 (226.21 sq mi)
Population (September 30, 2016[1])
 • Total 5,696
 • Density 9.7/km2 (25/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Higatsura (ヒガツラ)
 • Flower Azalea (ツツジ, Tsutsuji)
Time zone UTC+9 (JST)
City hall address 3-2 Aza-Hokusei-chō, Niikappu-chō, Niikappu-gun, Hokkaidō
059-2492[1]
Website www.niikappu.jp

Niikappu (新冠町, Niikappu-chō) is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

History

The town was established September 1881.[1]

Geography

Niikappu stretches from the Pacific Ocean of southeast Hokkaido north to the Hidaka Mountains along the Niikappu River. The town covers a total area of 585.88 km².[1] Its highest point is Mount Poroshiri, and the lowest is at the coast. The town runs 45 kilometres (28 mi) East-West and 44 kilometres (27 mi) North-South[1]

Economy

Cliff art outside Niikappu (1992)

The town is mainly known for production of racehorses, including Haiseiko, Narita Brian, and Oguri Cap. Other popular exports include kelp, green capsicum, and milk.

Art and Culture

Niikappu has a large collection of records, preserved in Japan's largest vinyl record museum. In the Taiyo district of Niikappu lies the Forest of the Sun Dimaccio Museum, a converted elementary school dedicated to housing the works of French artist Gerard Dimaccio.

Other features of Niikappu include:

  • A mud volcano deikazan (Supposedly the only one in Japan.)
  • Hangandate Forest Park, a seaside park with a playground and an ocean view
  • A Youth Hostel
  • Shonen Shizen no Ie boys' nature house
  • A campground

Transportation

Niikappu Station on the Hidaka Main Line (April 2000)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Homepage of Niikappu Town Archived 2008-06-19 at the Wayback Machine., last access 29 May 2008
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