Hokkaido

Hokkaido
source
Name	Hokkaido
Native name	北海道
Settlement type	Prefecture
Coordinates	43, N, 142, E...
Capital	Sapporo
Largest city	Sapporo
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Japan
Leader title	Governor
Leader name	Naomichi Suzuki
Area total km2	83,423.84
Area rank	1st
Population total	5,224,614
Population as of	June 1, 2019
Population rank	8th
Population density km2	66.6
Iso code	JP-01
Website	https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/

Hokkaido is the northernmost and second-largest main island of Japan, separated from Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait. Its capital and largest city is Sapporo, famous for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival and its role as host of the 1972 Winter Olympics. The island is renowned for its vast wilderness, including Daisetsuzan national parks, volcanic landscapes, and distinct indigenous Ainu culture. Administratively, it is a single prefecture, governed from Sapporo by Governor Naomichi Suzuki.

Geography

The island is characterized by a cool continental climate with cold, snowy winters, influenced by the surrounding Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, and Pacific Ocean. Major mountain ranges include the Hidaka Mountains and volcanic peaks like Mount Asahi in the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group. Significant bodies of water are Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu, both caldera lakes within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, while the Ishikari River is its longest waterway. The Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifies its pristine ecosystems, home to Steller's sea eagle and Ussuri brown bear populations.

History

Historically known as Ezo, the land was primarily inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before increased settlement from Honshu during the Edo period under the Matsumae clan. The Meiji Restoration government formally incorporated the territory, renaming it Hokkaido in 1869 and initiating the Hokkaido Development Commission under officials like Kuroda Kiyotaka to promote colonization and modern agriculture. The late 19th-century Satsuma Rebellion led to the use of former samurai soldiers as colonial settlers in planned towns like Sapporo, where the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University) was founded by William S. Clark. Key 20th-century events include its strategic role in the Pacific War and post-war development, symbolized by the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo.

Demographics and culture

With a population centered in the Sapporo metropolitan area, other major cities include Hakodate, known for its Goryokaku fort, and the port city of Otaru. The indigenous Ainu people maintain cultural traditions, with institutions like the National Ainu Museum in Shiraoi promoting their language and crafts. Distinct regional cuisine features *jingisukan* (grilled mutton), fresh seafood like sea urchin from Nemuro, dairy products from Tokachi, and the famous Sapporo-brewed beer. Annual festivals range from the Sapporo Snow Festival and Yosakoi Soran Festival to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.

Economy

The economy is driven by agriculture, with the region being a major producer of potatoes, wheat, dairy, and sugar beets from areas like the Tokachi Plain and Consadole farmlands. Fishing is a cornerstone industry, with major ports in Hakodate, Kushiro, and Nemuro landing catches of salmon, crab, and squid. Tourism flourishes year-round, attracting visitors to Niseko for skiing, hot springs in Noboribetsu, and summer festivals in Furano and Biei. Manufacturing is centered in Sapporo and includes food processing, brewing, and electronics, supported by research institutes like Hokkaido University.

Government and politics

As a prefecture, it is administered by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government in Sapporo, led by the directly elected Governor Naomichi Suzuki. It holds a significant bloc in the National Diet, with multiple electoral districts for the House of Representatives and seats in the House of Councillors. The Hokkaido Development Agency (now integrated into the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) historically directed national development projects here. Key political issues often involve relations with Russia concerning the Northern Territories dispute, agricultural trade policies, and regional development initiatives like the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo.

Category:Hokkaido Category:Prefectures of Japan Category:Islands of Japan