Niki, Hokkaido
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Niki
仁木町 | |
---|---|
Town | |
Japanese transcription(s) | |
• Hepburn romanization | Niki-chō |
![]() The location of Niki in Shiribeshi Subprefecture. | |
Country | Japan |
Prefecture | Hokkaidō |
Subprefecture | Shiribeshi |
District | Yoichi |
Government | |
• Mayor (町長, chōchō) | Miura Toshiyuki (三浦敏幸) |
Area | |
• Total | 167.93 km2 (64.84 sq mi) |
Population (2009-03-31) | |
• Total | 3,874 |
• Density | 23/km2 (60/sq mi) |
Post code | 048-2492 |
Area code | 0135 |
Website | http://www.town.niki.hokkaido.jp |
Niki (仁木町, Niki-chō) is a town located in Yoichi District, Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan.
In 2007, the town had an estimated population of 3,943 and a density of 23.55 people per km². The town covers a land area of 167.93 km².[citation needed]
Geography
The town is located around the middle reach of Yoichi River. The river assumes the shape of the letter C as it traverses from southeast to north; its upper stream runs east Akaigawa, while its lower stream runs near Yoichi. The river created terraces in Niki that are 1-2 kilometers wide at the southeastern side and 4 kilometers wide at the northern side. People use the river's water for cultivating rice in the upper valley and fruit in the lower valley.
The town is near Niki Station and Route 5 (National Highway 5).
Mountains
Mt. Daikoku (724.8m), Futatsu Wood (679.7), Mt. Gin (640.5), Mt. Chōhaku (460.8).
Rivers
Yoichi, Tono, Shikaribetsu, Daikoku, Doboku.
History
Indigenous people of the Niki (and Hokkaidō) area are known as the Ainu. About 360 Japanese, led by Niki Takeyoshi, entered in November 1879 from Kawashima in Shikoku, and they founded Niki Village in 1880. Other immigrants from Yamaguchi Prefecture founded Ōe Village in 1883 on the upper reach of the Yoichi River. Ōe is named after Oe no Hiromoto, who was believed as the ancestor of the Mōri clan, the rulers of Yamaguchi.
Timeline
- 1880: Niki village was founded.
- 1883: Ōe village was founded.
- 1899: Akaigawa village split from Ōe.
- 1902: Niki, Ōe, and Sandō consolidated and became known as Ōe village under the second town-village system, a special municipality system for Hokkaidō.
- 1915: Ōe became village under the first town-village system.
- 1964: Ōe village changed its name and status to Niki Town.
Agriculture
The people of Niki cultivate apples while the farmers of Ōe produce rice. Apple and rice have been the symbols of the annexed Niki for many years, and other fruits like cherry and grape were added in the latter half of the 20th century.
References
External links
- Official website in Japanese