Hidaka, Wakayama Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Hidaka (日高町) is a town located in Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 November 2021, the town had an estimated population density of 170 persons per km². The total area of the town is 46.19 square km (17.83 sq mi).

Geography Hidaka is located on the coast in central Wakayama Prefecture, facing the Kii Channel. The coastline is a ria coast and the climate is mild.

Neighboring municipalities Wakayama Prefecture • Gobō • Hirogawa • Mihama • Hidakagawa • Yura.

History The area of the modern town of Hidaka was within ancient Kii Province. The villages of Shiga, Hizaki, Higashi-Uchihara and Nishi-Uchihara were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Higachi-Uchihara and Nishi-Uchihara merged on August 1, 1941 to form Uchihara Village. Uchihara merged with Shiga and Hizaki on October 1, 1954 to form the town of Hidaka.

Government Hidaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 12 members. Hidaka collectively with the other municipalities of Hidaka District, contributes three members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Hidaka is centered on commercial fishing and agriculture. The main crops are rice and vegetables in the flatlands and horticulture in the mountains. Plans by Kansai Electric to construct a nuclear power plant in Hidaka were cancelled due to vehement local opposition.

Education Hidaka has three public elementary schools and one public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transport: Rail JR West – Kisei Main Line • Kii-Uchihara

Transport: Road • National Route 42

Local attractions • Shishigase Pass on the Kumano Kodo, National Historic Site and World Heritage Site.