Bifuka, Hokkaido
[file:Hokkaido Pref Route 445.jpg|right|290px|Hokkaido Pref Route 445 in Bifuka]
Bifuka is a town in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 3,665 in 2016 households, and a population density of 5.5 people per km2. The total area of the town is.
Geography
Bifuka is located in a valley in the north central region of the island of Hokkaido. The town is surrounded by mountains. The Teshio River flows roughly northwest through Bifuka.Neighboring municipalities
Bifuka borders six other municipalities, which span Kamikawa, Okhotsk, and Sōya subprefectures:Kamikawa Subprefecture
Okhotsk Subprefecture
Sōya Subprefecture
Climate
Nakagawa has a Humid continental climate characterized by cold summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nakagawa is 4.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1337 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 18.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around −9.3 °C.Demographics
Per Japanese census data, Bifuka has undergone significant population decline over the past half-century.History
The area of Bifuka has been inhabited since the Jōmon period, and was the site of a kotan was built by the Ainu people. On June 1, 1920 Chiebun Village was divided, and Shimonayoro Village is renamed Bifuka Village. In the first census in October 1, 1920, Bifuka Village has 2,045 households and 10,991 inhabitants. It was raised to town status on April 1, 1923.Government
Bifuka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of eight members. Bifuka, collectively with the other municipalities of Kawakami sub-prefecture, contributes three members to the Hokkaidō Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidō 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.Economy
The main industries are agriculture, dairy farming, and forestry. Sturgeon, raised in fish farms is a local specialty.Education
Bifuka has one public elementary schools and one public junior high school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Hokkaidō Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.Transportation
Railways
JR Hokkaido - Sōya Main LineThe Soya Main Line previous had - - - within Bifuka, but all were closed between 2021 and 2024.
Highways
*Sister city relations
Local attractions
- Bifuka Sturgeon Museum, a small facility which maintains eight species of sturgeon. Sturgeon were found in the Teshio River as far as Bifuka until the Meiji Period.
- Bikuka Ski Resort