Hokkaidō Prefecture

 Hokkaidō
北海道
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
 • RomajiHokkaidō
Flag of  Hokkaidō
Flag
Official seal of  Hokkaidō
Symbol
Location of Hokkaidō in Japan
Location of Hokkaidō in Japan
Coordinates: 43°3′51″N 141°20′48″E / 43.06417°N 141.34667°E / 43.06417; 141.34667
Country Japan
RegionHokkaido
IslandHokkaidō
CapitalSapporo
Government
 • GovernorNaomichi Suzuki
Area
 • Total83,453.57 km2 (32,221.60 sq mi)
 • Rank1st
Population
 (2010-10-01)
 • Total5,507,456
 • Rank8th
 • Density66/km2 (170/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeJP-01
Prefectural flowerHamanasu
(Rugosa Rose, Rosa rugosa)
Prefectural treeEzomatsu
(Jezo Spruce, Picea jezoensis)
Prefectural birdTanchō
(Red-crowned Crane, Grus japonensis)
Prefectural birdSea Bream
Number of districts68
Number of municipalities180
Websitewww.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/foreign/english.htm

Hokkaidō Prefecture (北海道, Hokkaidō) is a special Japanese prefecture in Hokkaidō region on the island Hokkaidō. It is the most northern prefecture of Japan.

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido.

History

Until the Meiji Restoration, the island was called Ezo, Watari-shima, Yeddo, and Yezo. Since 1869, it has been called Hokkaidō.

The population expanded in the late 19th century.

Timeline

Geography

Hokkaidō is the 2nd largest island of Japan The island is between the Sea of Japan to the west, the Sea of Okhotsk to the northeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southeast, and the Tsugaru Strait to the south.

Hokkaidō is separated from Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait; however, it is connected by the underwater Seikan tunnel.

Some of the Chishima Islands are occupied by Russia, but Japan still considers the islands to be Japanese.

National Parks

Natural Parks are established in about 10% of the total land area of the prefecture.

Shrines and Temples

Hokkaidō jingū was the chief Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) of Ezo, which was an ancient name for the Hokkaidō region.

References

  1. ↑ National Census 2010 Preliminary Results
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Hokkaido" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 343.
  3. ↑ Travel-around-Japan.com, "Former Hokkaido Government office building"; retrieved 2012-2-14.
  4. ↑ Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): 34th G8 summit, overview.
  5. ↑ Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-3-14.
  6. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1963). The Vicissitudes of Shinto, p. 328.

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