Geography of Hokkaido (Japan)

Hokkaid, originally known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is the second-biggest island in Japan and is divided into 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. It is also the largest, northernmost, and least inhabited of the islands. Hokkaid and Honsh are divided by the Tsugaru Strait, although the Seikan Tunnel under the sea connects them. Sapporo, Hokkaid's capital and the only city with an ordinance designation, is also the island's biggest city.

Hokkaido, which makes up nearly one-fourth of Japan's fertile territory, leads the country in the production of wheat, soybeans, potatoes, beets, and other field crops, as well as onions, pumpkins, corn, and other vegetables, raw milk, beef, and a variety of other agricultural products.

Physical Features

Hokkaido Island is situated close to Russia (Sakhalin Oblast) in the northern part of Japan. It has coastlines that face the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Sea of Japan to the west, and the Sea of Okhotsk to the north. The island's interior is rugged, with plateaux made of volcanic rock. The Ishikari Plain, which covers 3,800 km² (1,500 sq. km), the Tokachi Plain, 3,600 km² (1,400 sq. mi), the Kushiro Plain, 2,510 km² (970 sq. mi), the largest wetland in Japan, and the Sarobetsu Plain, 200 km² (77 sq. mi), are just a few of the plains in Hokkaido.

With a surface area of 32,210.12 square miles (83,423.84 km²), Hokkaid is the second-largest island in Japan. Hokkaido is divided from Honshu (Aomori Prefecture) by the Tsugaru Strait, from Sakhalin Island in Russia by the La Pérouse Strait, and from Kunashir Island in the Russian Kuril Islands by the Nemuro Strait.

Hokkaido is less rugged and hilly and has more flatlands than the rest of Japan, with roughly equal amounts of mountains and plains. Sapporo, Asahikawa, and the port of Hakodate, which faces Honsh, are also significant cities. West Hokkaido is traversed by the Ishikari River, the second-longest river in Japan, whose valley is a significant urban and industrial area. According to Japanese definitions, Hokkaid includes a number of the Kuril Islands, whose ownership is under dispute with Russia.

Hokkaid is rarely referred to as "Hokkaid Prefecture," unless when essential to separate the governmental body from the island, as the prefectural status of the region is indicated by the d in its name. By area, the island is ranked 21st in the globe. While Hispaniola is 6.1 percent smaller than Hokkaid, it is 3.6 percent smaller than the island of Ireland. Between Sicily and Ireland, it is ranked 20th in terms of population. The population of Sicily is 13% smaller than that of Hokkaid, which is 4.7 percent smaller than the island of Ireland.

Demographics

The second-largest and least inhabited of the Japanese islands, Hokkaido has a total area of 30,107 square miles (77,978 square km). The region under Hokkaid's administrative control, which also includes a number of smaller islands like Rishiri, Okushiri Island, and Rebun, totals 32,247 square miles (83,520 square kilometres). Despite making up 21% of Japan's total land area, only 4.5% of the country's population resides there. Hokkaido's population is primarily concentrated in the west and southwest, particularly in the areas surrounding the cities of Sapporo, Hakodate, and Otaru. The Ainu outnumbered the Japanese until 1800. There are currently 16,000 Ainu living in Hokkaido.

Prefecture

Eight prefectures in Japan, including Tokyo, Yamagata, Nagasaki, Okinawa, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Shimane Prefectures, have subprefectures or local offices. Hokkaid is one of these prefectures. However, out of the eight, it is the only one to have such offices spanning the entirety of its territory outside of its major towns (as opposed to merely having them for isolated or outlying islands). This is primarily owing to the prefecture's size, as many areas are simply too remote for Sapporo to manage efficiently. Many of the responsibilities performed by prefectural offices in other parts of Japan are carried out by subprefectural offices in Hokkaid.

Flora And Fauna

On the island, there are three populations of Ussuri brown bears. Hokkaid has more brown bears than any other Asian country save Russia. There are three different lineages of brown bears in Hokkaido. In the entire planet, there are just eight lineages. On Honshu, they vanished a long time ago. The Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) is a native conifer found in northern Hokkaid. On the island, you can also find the Hydrangea hirta.

Climate

Hokkaido, the coldest region in Japan, experiences chilly summers and icy/snowy winters. The majority of the island lies in the humid continental climatic zone, with Köppen classifications of Dfb (hemiboreal) for the majority of the territory and Dfa (hot summer humid continental) for the inland lowlands. The average temperature in August varies between 17 and 22 °C (62.6 and 71.6 °F), while the average temperature in January varies between 12 and 4 °C (10.4 and 24.8 °F), depending on elevation and proximity to the ocean. However, temperatures on the western side of the island are typically a little warmer than those on the eastern.

On May 26, 2019, the temperature reached a record high of 39.5 °C (103.1 °F). Hokkaid's northernmost region is located in the taiga biome, which receives a lot of snowfall. The amount of snowfall varies greatly, reaching as high as 11 meters (400 in) on mountains bordering the Sea of Japan and as low as 1.8 meters (71 in) on the Pacific coast. Isolated snowstorms that form long-lasting snowbanks are common on the island. On the Sea of Japan coast mountains, total precipitation ranges from 1,600 millimetres (63 in) to 800 millimetres (31 in) (the lowest in Japan) on the Sea of Okhotsk coast and interior lowlands, and up to about 1,100 millimetres (43 in) on the Pacific side. Hokkaido is a well-liked destination for snow sports due to its abundance of mountains and typically excellent powder snow.

The snowfall typically starts in earnest in November. At the Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido celebrates its wintertime climate. Large drift ice floes frequently impede travel through the Sea of Okhotsk throughout the winter. Beyond the northern shore of Hokkaido, this frequently results in a halt to air travel and maritime operations due to high winds that occur during the winter. Although most rivers freeze in the winter, ports on the open Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan are often free of ice all year round. Hokkaido is often not affected by the May–June monsoon season, unlike the other major islands of Japan, and its climate, which is typically moderate rather than hot throughout the summer, draws tourists from other parts of Japan.

Conclusion

The second-largest island in Japan, Hokkaido, is renowned for its untamed scenery, abundant agricultural output, and distinctive climate. The interior of the island is made up of plains and plateaus, with the Ishikari and Tokachi Plains being important agricultural areas. Hokkaido, albeit less inhabited than other areas of Japan, is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including the Ussuri brown bear.

The island is a well-liked location for winter sports due to its chilly winters and significant snowfall. The main city on the island is Sapporo, which is also the capital. Hokkaido's sub prefectural offices effectively handle administrative tasks despite its remote locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role does Hokkaido have in Japanese culture?

The second-largest island in Japan is Hokkaido, which is renowned for its agricultural output, variety of species, and popular winter sports locations.

Which Hokkaido cities are notable ones?

Sapporo, the largest city on the island and the capital of Hokkaido, is the response. Asahikawa and Hakodate are two further important cities.

What type of weather one can find in Hokkaido?

Hokkaido has chilly winters and springs. It is located in the humid continental climate zone, where temperatures vary according to altitude and distance from the ocean.

Is Hokkaido a good place to practice winter sports?

Yes, Hokkaido is a well-known winter sports destination, with plenty of mountains and superb powder snow that are perfect for skiing and snowboarding.

What distinguishes the flora and fauna of Hokkaido from that of the rest of Japan?

The Ussuri brown bear and the Sakhalin fir are only two examples of the unusual flora and fauna found in Hokkaido. Compared to other areas of Japan, it has a lower population density.