Hokkaido

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the second-largest and northernmost of Japan's four main islands. Together with nearby islands, it forms the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, and the two islands are connected by railway through the Seikan Tunnel.

The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city. Hokkaido has a colder climate than the rest of Japan, with lots of snow each winter. Even with the snow, Hokkaido is a good place for growing food, with many farms and crops.

In the past, Hokkaido was known by different names, including Ezo. For much of its history, the island was home to the Ainu people. In 1869, during a time called the Meiji Restoration, Japan took control of the whole island and renamed it Hokkaido. Many new people moved there, which changed life for the Ainu people.

Names

When the Meiji government made new rules, they changed the name of the area called Ezochi to Hokkaido, writing it as 北海道. They chose this name to match other places like Tōkaidō. The name might come from what the Ainu people called the area, Kai.

In 1947, Hokkaido became a full prefecture. The word dō means "prefecture" in English. Some people have talked about using an Ainu-language name for Hokkaido. One idea is aynu mosir, meaning "land of the humans". Another is yaun mosir, meaning "onshore land". These names show the culture of the Ainu people who live there.

History

See also: Historic Sites of Hokkaidō, Zoku-Jōmon period, Satsumon culture, and Okhotsk culture

Early history

During the Jōmon period, people lived in Hokkaido for over 15,000 years. They were hunters and gatherers. Hokkaido was peaceful during this time, unlike the island of Honshu. The Jomon people believed in natural spirits, which later influenced Ainu beliefs. About 2,000 years ago, new people called the Yayoi came to Hokkaido. They brought farming, and many people began to grow food instead of hunting.

The Ebetsu Kofun Cluster is a group of old mounds from the 8th and 9th centuries. Things like swords, beads, and pottery were found there. These items show that people from Yamato lived in Hokkaido and traded with Honshu.

The Nihon Shoki, finished in 720, is one of the first books to mention Hokkaido. It tells how a leader named Abe no Hirafu traveled north and met new people.

During the Nara and Heian periods (710–1185), Hokkaido traded with Dewa Province. People there were called Ezo. They hunted and fished, and got rice and iron by trading with Japan.

Feudal Japan

During the Muromachi period (1336–1573), Japanese people built a settlement in the south of the Oshima Peninsula. More people moved there to escape battles. This led to disagreements between the Japanese and the Ainu. In 1457, a leader named Takeda Nobuhiro defeated an Ainu leader. His family ruled the south of Hokkaido and traded with the Ainu.

The Ainu sometimes fought against Japanese rule. The last big fight was Shakushain's revolt in 1669–1672. In 1789, there was a smaller revolt called the Menashi–Kunashir rebellion. After this, people clearly called themselves Japanese or Ainu.

Meiji era

Colonization of Hokkaido

Main article: Colonisation of Hokkaido

Before the Meiji era, Hokkaido was called Ezochi. After a war in 1868, Japanese leaders took control of the island and renamed it Hokkaido, meaning "northern sea route". They divided Hokkaido into different areas.

The Meiji government wanted to control Hokkaido for many reasons. They wanted to protect against Russia, use its natural resources, and show other countries that Japan was modern.

The government worked hard to settle Hokkaido. They asked for help from the United States. An American named Horace Capron came to teach new farming methods. Later, William S. Clark came and started an agricultural college in Sapporo. He inspired many people with his words, "Boys, be ambitious!"

World War II

In 1945, ships and cities in Hokkaido were attacked during World War II. After the war, Japan prepared for possible invasion but it did not happen.

Present

Hokkaido became equal to other areas in 1947. In 1949, a special office was created to help manage Hokkaido. This office later became part of a larger government group. Today, these groups still help with projects in Hokkaido.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost and second-largest island. It is near Russia. It has coastlines along the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Pacific Ocean. The center of the island has mountains and volcanic plateaux. It also has plains such as the Ishikari Plain and Tokachi Plain. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, another Japanese island.

Hokkaido is also the largest and northernmost Japanese prefecture. It includes smaller islands like Rishiri and parts of the Kuril Islands. The island has many different landscapes, including mountains, plains, and wetlands. This makes it a region of natural beauty.

Flora and fauna

See also: List of Natural Monuments of Japan (Hokkaidō)

Hokkaido has unique wildlife. It is home to many Ussuri brown bear — more than anywhere else in Asia except Russia. The island is also an important area for Japan's sea otter population. Native plants include the Sakhalin fir and the flowering plant Hydrangea hirta.

Geologic activity

See also: Category:Volcanoes of Hokkaido

Hokkaido has seismic activity and several active volcanoes, such as Mount Usu and Mount Tarumae. The region has experienced powerful earthquakes, including one in 1993.

Parks

Main article: National parks in Hokkaido

Hokkaido has many beautiful parks and natural areas, including the Kushiro Wetland and Lake Shikotsu. These areas have many different landscapes for visitors to enjoy.

Climate

As Japan's coldest region, Hokkaido has cool summers and very cold, snowy winters. The island's climate is mostly humid continental. Temperatures range from around −12 °C in winter to about 22 °C in summer. Hokkaido is famous for its heavy snowfall, especially along the Sea of Japan coast. This makes it a top place for winter sports like skiing. The snow comes from cold, dry winds from Siberia. These winds pick up moisture over the warm currents of the Sea of Japan, creating lots of snow when the air rises over Hokkaido's mountains.

Administrative divisions

Subprefectures

Main articles: Subprefectures of Hokkaido and List of mergers in Hokkaido

See also: List of municipalities of Hokkaido and Former provinces of Hokkaido

Hokkaido has nine General Subprefectural Bureaus and five Subprefectural Bureaus. These offices help manage the large island. Some areas are far from the main city, Sapporo. The offices do important work that is usually done by the main government in other parts of Japan.

Municipalities

Hokkaido is divided into 179 different areas called municipalities. These include 35 cities, and many towns and villages.

Major cities and towns

Hokkaido's biggest city is Sapporo, the capital. The island has two main cities: Hakodate in the south and Asahikawa in the middle. Other important towns are Tomakomai, Iwamizawa, Kushiro, Obihiro, Kitami, Abashiri, Wakkanai, and Nemuro.

Gallery

[Sapporo City](/wiki/Sapporo)

[Asahikawa](/wiki/Asahikawa)

[Hakodate](/wiki/Hakodate)

[Kushiro](/wiki/Kushiro)

[Obihiro](/wiki/Obihiro)

[Kitami](/wiki/Kitami)

[Iwamizawa](/wiki/Iwamizawa)

[Abashiri](/wiki/Abashiri)

[Wakkanai](/wiki/Wakkanai)

[Nemuro](/wiki/Nemuro,_Hokkaido)

[Rumoi](/wiki/Rumoi,_Hokkaido)

Population

Hokkaido is the third-largest island in Japan by population. As of 2023, it is home to 5,111,691 people. It has the fewest people per square kilometre in Japan, with only 61 people for every square kilometre. Big cities in Hokkaido include Sapporo, Asahikawa, and the port city of Hakodate across from Honshu. Sapporo is the biggest city in Hokkaido and the fifth-biggest city in Japan.

Economy

Hokkaido's economy is mostly based on services, which create most of the island's wealth. Farming and natural resources are also very important. Hokkaido grows a lot of food, including wheat, potatoes, and beef. It also has many forests and fisheries.

Tourism is popular in Hokkaido, especially in summer when people visit its open spaces, and in winter for skiing and snow activities. Coal mining used to be a big industry. Recently, a large company plans to build a major semiconductor factory there.

Transportation

Hokkaido's only land link to the rest of Japan is the Seikan Tunnel. Most travelers reach the island by air, with New Chitose Airport near Sapporo being the main airport. One local airline, Air Do, gets its name from Hokkaido.

You can also travel to Hokkaido by ferry from cities like Sendai and Niigata, though these ferries mostly carry cargo. The fast Hokkaido Shinkansen train connects Tokyo to near Hakodate in just over four hours. While there is a good railway network, many places are best reached by road. Hokkaido also has one of Japan's special Melody Roads, where the road design creates pleasant sounds when you drive over it.

Education

The Hokkaido Prefectural Board of Education takes care of public schools in Hokkaido, except for colleges and universities. Public elementary and junior high schools are managed by local areas, with a few exceptions. Public high schools are run by either the prefectural board or the local areas.

Hokkaido has many places to learn. As of 2016, there are 291 high schools, including national, private, and public schools. The island also has 34 universities, 15 junior colleges, and 6 colleges of technology, giving many chances for higher learning.

Culture

Hokkaido has many places where you can learn about its history and culture. You can visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido to see old buildings and learn about life in the past. There are also special museums like the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art and the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples where you can see interesting artifacts and art.

The island also hosts fun events such as the Pacific Music Festival, and you can try delicious local foods like Sapporo ramen and Jingisukan.

Sports

The 1972 Winter Olympics took place in Sapporo, which made the city well-known for winter sports.

Hokkaido has many sports teams. These include Consadole Sapporo for soccer, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for baseball, and Levanga Hokkaido for basketball. The island also has teams for ice hockey, curling, and other sports. Hokkaido has been important in sumo, producing many top wrestlers.

Winter festivals

Hokkaido has many fun winter festivals. The Sapporo Snow Festival is very famous. Big snow and ice sculptures are made there. Another fun event is the Shōwa-Shinzan International Yukigassen. Teams play a game tossing snowballs at each other. These festivals show how much people in Hokkaido enjoy winter and playing in the snow.

Politics

The governor of Hokkaido is Naomichi Suzuki. He became governor in the gubernatorial election in 2019.

The Hokkaido Legislative Assembly has 100 members. The Liberal Democratic Party often has the most seats.

Hokkaido is divided into twelve districts for elections to Japan’s National Diet. In the 2017 election, candidates from different parties won seats in these districts. Hokkaido also elects representatives for the proportional election part of the Diet.

International relations

Hokkaido has friendly ties with several places around the world. These include Alberta in Canada, Heilongjiang in China, Massachusetts and Hawaii in the United States, Sakhalin Oblast in Russia, and several cities in South Korea and Thailand, among others. Many towns and cities in Hokkaido have partnership agreements with cities in other countries.