is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaidà Â, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 4,942 in 280 households, and a population density of 8.4 people per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the town is .
Niikappu is located in southern Hokkaido, in the central coastal area of the Hidaka Subprefecture. The mountainous area originating from the Hidaka Mountains in the north is designated as the Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park. The southern part faces the Pacific Ocean. Its highest point is Mount Poroshiri (2053 meters), and the lowest is at the coast. The town runs east-west and north-south along the Niikappu River.
Niikappu has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with warm summers and cold winters. With an alternate definition, using the âÂÂ3 ðC (27 ðF) isotherm, Niikappu falls in the rare oceanic climate (Cfb) of the east coast of the continents due to the warm current of Tsugaru. Owing to its slightly more southerly latitude, easterly aspect and location on the sea, snowfall is much lighter than in the major cities of western Hokkaido like Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa and Wakkanai. Precipitation in heaviest in the summer months when remnant typhoons may approach. Year-round sunshine, although less than in the Tokachi Plain, is also higher than western Hokkaido.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Niikappu has declined in recent decades.
The area of Niikappu was settled by Japanese colonists in September 1881. It was established as a village in 1923 under the second-class town and village system and raised to town status in 1961.
Niikappu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 11 members. Niikappu, as part of Hidaka Subprefecture, contributes two members to the Hokkaidà  Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidà  9th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
The town is mainly known for production of racehorses, including Haiseiko, Narita Brian, and Oguri Cap. Other popular exports include kelp, green capsicum, and milk.
Niikappu has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town. The town does not have a high school.
Niikappu was served by the JR Hokkaido Hidaka Main Line. However, no trains have operated between and since January 2015, due to storm damage. Plans to restore this section of the line have been abandoned, due to declining passenger numbers and very high maintenance costs, and the section was officially closed on 1 April 2021, and replaced by a bus service.
Defunct railway stations in Niikappu: - -
Niikappu's mascot is . She is a superhero horse who wears earrings made of azalea and green bell peppers and a cape. Her weapon is an asparagus. Her heart-shape nose is a sign of peace. She watches over Niikappu everyday.