Kamikawa Subprefecture

Kamikawa Subprefecture
上川総合振興局
subprefecture
Kamikawa-sōgō-shinkō-kyoku
Location of Kamikawa Subprefecture
Coordinates: 43°48′27″N 142°26′22″E / 43.807631°N 142.439528°E / 43.807631; 142.439528
CountryJapan
PrefectureHokkaido
CapitalAsahikawa
Area
 • Total9,852.17 km2 (3,803.94 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2009)
 • Total535,456
 • Density54/km2 (140/sq mi)
Websitekamikawa.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp
Kamikawa Subprefecture (without Horokanai)
Asahikawa City

Kamikawa (上川総合振興局, Kamikawa-sōgō-shinkō-kyoku) is a subprefecture of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The name is derived from Kamikawa no hitobito no Shūraku (Village of the Upstream People), a translation of the Ainu Peni Unguri Kotan.[citation needed] Settlement began in 1867. The sub-prefecture was established in 1897.

Asahikawa Airport stretches over the outskirts of Asahikawa City and Higashikagura in Kamikawa (Ishikari) District.