Hidaka (日高市, Hidaka-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2021, the city had an estimated population of 55,294 in 24,328 households and a population density of 1200 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 47.48 square kilometres (18.33 sq mi).

Hidaka
日高市
Hidaka city hall
Hidaka city hall
Flag of Hidaka
Official logo of Hidaka
Location of Hidaka in Saitama Prefecture
Location of Hidaka in Saitama Prefecture
Hidaka is located in Japan
Hidaka
Hidaka
 
Coordinates: 35°54′28.1″N 139°20′20.7″E / 35.907806°N 139.339083°E / 35.907806; 139.339083
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureSaitama
Government
 • MayorTeruo Yagasaki (since April 2012)
Area
 • Total47.48 km2 (18.33 sq mi)
Population
 (January 2021)
 • Total55,294
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeOsmanthus
- FlowerLespedeza
- BirdCommon kingfisher
Phone number042-989-2111
Address1020 Minami-Hirasawa, Hidaka-shi, Saitama-ken 350-1292
WebsiteOfficial website
Kinchakuda Spider Lily

Geography edit

Hidaka is located in south-central Saitama Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities edit

Saitama Prefecture

Climate edit

Hidaka has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hidaka is 14.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1427 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.4 °C.[2]

Demographics edit

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Hidaka has remained relatively stable over the past 30 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 19,912—    
1930 20,578+3.3%
1940 12,587−38.8%
1950 16,108+28.0%
1960 16,683+3.6%
1970 21,646+29.7%
1980 43,219+99.7%
1990 53,169+23.0%
2000 53,758+1.1%
2010 57,473+6.9%
2020 54,571−5.0%

History edit

The area of modern-day Hidaka was part of ancient Koma District, Musashi Province, mentioned in records dating from 716 AD as a place of resettlement for refugees from the Tang invasion of the Kingdom of Goguryeo on the Korean peninsula in 668 AD. During the Edo period, the area developed as Takahagi-shuku, a post station on the Nikkō Wakiōkan highway linking Edo with Nikkō. The three villages of Komagawa, Koma and Takahagi were established within Koma District with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. In 1896 Koma District was abolished, becoming part of Iruma District. On February 11, 1955, Komagawa and Koma merged to create the town of Hidaka. Takahagi joined Hidaka on September 20, 1956. Hidaka was elevated to city status on October 1, 1991.

Government edit

Hidaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 16 members. Hidaka contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 9th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy edit

The economy of Hidaka remains primarily agricultural, with some light manufacturing. A number of housing districts have been built near the train stations, as the city is increasing a bedroom community for Tokyo metropolis to the south.

Education edit

  • Saitama Women's Junior College
  • Hidaka has six public elementary schools and six public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation edit

Railway edit

  JR EastHachikō Line

  JR EastKawagoe Line

  Seibu Railway - Seibu Ikebukuro Line

Highway edit

Sister city relations edit

Local attractions edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Hidaka city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Hidaka climate data
  3. ^ Hidaka population statistics
  4. ^ "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

External links edit