Shinhidaka, Hokkaido

Shinhidaka is located in southern Hokkaido, in the central coastal area of the Hidaka Subprefecture. The southwestern part faces the Pacific Ocean, and the mountainous area originating from the Hidaka Mountains in the northeastern part is designated as the Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park. The southern part faces the Pacific Ocean. The urban area spreads out at the mouth of the Shizunai River.^[2] Its highest location is Mount Kamuiekuuchikaushi (42°37′30″N 142°45′58″E) at 1,979.4 m (6,494 ft). Takami Dam, Hokkaido's largest dam, is located in Shinhidaka.

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.

Shinhidaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members. Shinhidaka, as part of Hidaka Subprefecture, contributes two members to the Hokkaidō Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidō 9th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.^[8]

The main industries are dairy farming and fishing (kelp), as well as the breeding and production of racehorses, fishing, forestry, rice farming, field crops, and livestock farming.

Shinhidaka has four public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town. The town has two public high schools and one special education school for the handicapped operated by the Hokkaido Board of Education.^[9] The town also has one vocational training school for nursing.

• Lexington, Kentucky (United States)^[10]
• Minamiawaji, Hyōgo Prefecture (Japan)^[11]
• Mima, Tokushima Prefecture (Japan)^[11]
• Sumoto, Hyōgo Prefecture (Japan)^[11]

• Nijikken-dōro (二十間道路), literally, road 20 ken (36 metres (118 ft)) in width, is an avenue lined with Ezo mountain cherry Prunus sargentii, (エゾヤマザクラ, Ezo-yamazakura) trees and a major tourist attraction of the town. The 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) 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.^[12]
• Chasi Ruins in the Shibechari River Basin and Appetsu Chasi Ruins, National Historic Site
• Shizunai Gotenyama Tombs - Designated by Hokkaido Cultural Property
• Shizunai Local Museum

• 
  Nijikken-dōro
• 
  former Shizunai Station
• 
  Mitsuishi River
• 
  Shinhidaka Ainu Museum
• 
  Monument to Shakushain's revolt

Mascots

Konbuman and Kobune-chan, the town's mascots

Shinhidaka's mascots are Konbuman (こんぶマン) and Kobune-chan (こぶねちゃん). They are superhero siblings.^[13][14]

• Kobuman is from Mitsuishi. He is usually active in events. He became mascot on February 2, 2013.^[15]
• Kobune-chan became mascot on August 10, 2017. Like her brother, she is also usually active in events.