| Niikappu | |||||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||||
| Settlement Type: | Town | ||||
| Seal Type: | Coat of Arms | ||||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Japan | ||||
| Coordinates: | 42.3667°N 161°W | ||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Hokkaido | ||||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||||
| Subdivision Name2: | Hokkaido (Hidaka Subprefecture) | ||||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||||
| Subdivision Name3: | Niikappu | ||||
| Leader Title: | Mayor | ||||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||||
| Area Total Km2: | 585.88 | ||||
| Population Total: | 5,696 | ||||
| Population As Of: | September 30, 2016[1] | ||||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||||
| Timezone1: | JST | ||||
| Utc Offset1: | +09:00 | ||||
| Blank Name Sec1: | City hall address | ||||
| Blank Info Sec1: | 3-2 Aza-Hokusei-chō, Niikappu-chō, Niikappu-gun, Hokkaidō 059-2492 | ||||
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is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.
The town was established September 1881.[1]
Niikappu stretches from the Pacific Ocean of southeast Hokkaido north to the Hidaka Mountains along the Niikappu River. The town covers a total area of 585.88 km2.[1] Its highest point is Mount Poroshiri, and the lowest is at the coast. The town runs 45km (28miles) East-West and 44km (27miles) North-South[1]
The town is mainly known for production of racehorses, including Haiseiko, Narita Brian, and Oguri Cap. Other popular exports include kelp, green capsicum, and milk.
Niikappu has a large collection of records, preserved in Japan's largest vinyl record museum.In the Taiyo district of Niikappu lies the Forest of the Sun Dimaccio Museum, a converted elementary school dedicated to housing the works of French artist Gerard Dimaccio.
Other features of Niikappu include:
Niikappu's mascot is . She is a superhero horse who wears earrings made of azalea and green bell peppers and a cape. Her weapon is an asparagus. Her heart-shape nose is a sign of peace. She watches over Niikappu everyday.[2]
Niikappu was served by the JR Hokkaido Hidaka Main Line. However, no services have operated between and since January 2015, due to storm damage. Plans to restore this section of the line have been abandoned, due to declining passenger numbers and very high maintenance costs, and the section will be officially closed on 1 April 2021 to be replaced by a bus service.
Stations in Niikappu: - -