Hinokage, Miyazaki
Encyclopedia
is a town
located in Nishiusuki District
, Miyazaki
, Japan
.
As of 2003, the town has an estimated population
of 5,211 and a density
of 18.77 persons per km². The total area is 277.68 km².
Located next to the religio-historically significant town of Takachiho, Hinokage is known primarily for its three large bridges, traditional Kagura
dances, and the work of Kazuo Hiroshima, a traditional weaver of bamboo baskets. Like many districts in rural Japan, the area has been struggling with an aging population
and an exodus of young people to Tokyo
and other major cities. The town's population peaked in the 1950s at 16,199 people, (Cort & Nakamura, 1994) but has steadily declined since the closure of the Mitate mine in March, 1970. (記念編纂部会, 1997) Between 2000 and 2005 four area elementary and middle schools were closed, and more closures are planned in the future.
The region was heavily damaged in the September, 2005 Typhoon Nabi / Number 14, and local rail service has been suspended indefinitely.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in Nishiusuki District
Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki
Nishiusuki is a district located in Miyazaki, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 25,479 and the density of 37.10 persons per km². The total area is 686.77 km².-Towns and villages:*Gokase*Hinokage*Takachiho...
, Miyazaki
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As of 2003, the town has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 5,211 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 18.77 persons per km². The total area is 277.68 km².
Located next to the religio-historically significant town of Takachiho, Hinokage is known primarily for its three large bridges, traditional Kagura
Kagura
- Fictional characters :*Kagura Tsuchimiya, the protagonist of Ga-rei*Kagura, an InuYasha character*Kagura Sohma , a Fruits Basket character*Kagura, an Azumanga Daioh character*Ten'nōzu Kagura, a Speed Grapher character...
dances, and the work of Kazuo Hiroshima, a traditional weaver of bamboo baskets. Like many districts in rural Japan, the area has been struggling with an aging population
Demographics of Japan
The demographic features of the population of Japan include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
and an exodus of young people to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and other major cities. The town's population peaked in the 1950s at 16,199 people, (Cort & Nakamura, 1994) but has steadily declined since the closure of the Mitate mine in March, 1970. (記念編纂部会, 1997) Between 2000 and 2005 four area elementary and middle schools were closed, and more closures are planned in the future.
The region was heavily damaged in the September, 2005 Typhoon Nabi / Number 14, and local rail service has been suspended indefinitely.