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49-617: Niigata is the capital and largest city of Niigata Prefecture, with other major cities including Nagaoka , Jōetsu , and Sanjō . Niigata Prefecture contains the Niigata Major Metropolitan Area centered on Niigata with a population of 1,395,612, the largest metropolitan area on the Sea of Japan coast and the twelfth-largest in Japan. Niigata Prefecture is part of the historic Hokuriku region and features Sado Island ,

98-932: A day). Niigata Airport's international destinations are Harbin (twice a week), Seoul (five times a week), Shanghai (twice a week) and Vladivostok . The largest station in Niigata City is Niigata Station . It is centrally located in the Bandai area, one of the two main shopping districts in downtown Niigata. Approximately 37,000 passengers use the station daily. The Jōetsu Shinkansen , which terminates at Niigata Station, provides daily service to Tokyo. The Shin'etsu Main Line , Hakushin Line , Echigo Line , Uetsu Main Line , and Ban'etsu West Line also terminate at Niigata Station. These lines serve Myoko , Itoigawa , Akita , Sakata , and Aizuwakamatsu . Niigata Kotsu Dentetsu Line and Kambara Dentetsu trains used to run through

147-529: A massive tsunami and earthquake damaged homes and caused casualties in the maritime areas of Niigata Prefecture, especially near Sado Island . On July 16, 2007, another earthquake hit the area. Niigata Prefecture hosts the Fuji Rock Festival , an annual event held at the Naeba ski resort. The three-day event, organized by Smash Japan, features more than 200 Japanese and international musicians. It

196-509: Is a city located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture ( Kaetsu area  [ ja ] ). It is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture , and one of the cities designated by government ordinance of Japan , located in the Chūbu region of Japan . It is the most populous city on the west coast of Honshu , and the second populous city in Chūbu region after Nagoya . It faces

245-510: Is accessible via ferry (taking one to two and a half hours) from Naoetsu or Niigata City . Professional sports clubs include Albirex Niigata , a J-League Division 1 Football Club, and Niigata Albirex BB , a BJ (Basketball Japan) League team. Actors, Actresses, Singers Pop culture, manga, voice actors 37°37′N 138°52′E  /  37.617°N 138.867°E  / 37.617; 138.867 Niigata, Niigata Niigata ( 新潟市 , Niigata-shi , [niːɡata] )

294-541: Is one of the largest outdoor music events in Japan, with more than 100,000 people attending in 2005. Niigata Prefecture stretches about 240 km (149 mi) along the Sea of Japan , from the southwest to the northeast, with a coastal plain between the mountains and the sea. It also includes Sado Island . Niigata Prefecture could be placed in either the Hokuriku or the Kōshinetsu , both of which are considered parts of

343-443: The 2002 FIFA World Cup . The 2004 Chūetsu earthquake did not cause any significant damage in Niigata City itself, allowing the city to work as a relief base. The size and the population of Niigata city increased over the four-year period between 2001 and 2005, due to a series of municipal mergers . On April 1, 2007, Niigata City became first city on the west coast of Honshu to become a government-designated city . In July 2007,

392-867: The Chūbu region . The prefecture is generally divided into four geographical areas: Jōetsu region ( 上越 ) in the south, Chūetsu ( 中越 ) in the center, Kaetsu ( 下越 ) in the north, and Sado Island . The mouth of the Shinano River , the longest river in Japan, is located in Niigata Prefecture. As of 1 April 2014, 25% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely Bandai-Asahi , Chūbu-Sangaku , Nikkō , and Oze National Parks; Echigo Sanzan-Tadami and Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Parks; and thirteen Prefectural Natural Parks. Twenty cities are located in Niigata Prefecture: These are

441-671: The Chūetsu offshore earthquake , measuring 6.9 on Richter scale, rocked Niigata Prefecture. Though the earthquake was felt in the city, there was little damage, which allowed Niigata City to provide aid to the devastated areas. In May 2008, the city hosted the 2008 G8 Labor Ministers Meeting . On March 12, 2011, several hours after the massive 9.0 Tohoku earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Niigata and Nagano Prefectures experienced an estimated magnitude 6.6 earthquake. Niigata maintains sister city ties with six cities: In addition, special exchange agreements have been set up with

490-520: The Sea of Japan and Sado Island . As of 1 September 2022 , the city had an estimated population of 779,049, and a population density of 1,072 persons per km . The total area is 726.45 square kilometres (280.48 sq mi). Greater Niigata, the Niigata Metropolitan Employment Area , has a GDP of US$ 43.3 billion as of 2010. It is the only government-designated city on the west coast of Honshu. It has

539-437: The 1950s, a system of canals were lined along by the willow trees in the downtown area of Niigata. Therefore the city is sometimes called the "City of Water" or "City of Willows" as detailed later . Niigata produced many manga artists (see: Artists and writers ). It is also known to have an extensive network of bypass roads . Bandai bridge, NEXT21, Toki Messe, Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata Nippo Media Ship are considered to be

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588-525: The 58th, Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park . On 25 June 2024, Hidaka-sanmyaku Erimo Quasi-National Park was redesignated Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park , making it the 35th national park. The area of each national and quasi-national park is divided into ordinary, special and marine park zones. Special zones are further subdivided into special protection and class I, II, and III special zones, restricting access and use for preservation purposes. The state owns only approximately half of

637-552: The Ministry of the Environment. Quasi-national parks, of a slightly lesser beauty, size, diversity, or state of preservation, are recommended for ministerial designation and managed by the prefectures under the supervision of the ministry. Japan established its first kōen ( 公園 ) or public parks in 1873 ( Asakusa Park , Asukayama Park , Fukagawa Park , Shiba Park , and Ueno Park ). In 1911 local citizens petitioned that

686-665: The Nabechaya. "Niigata"  . New International Encyclopedia . 1905. List of national parks of Japan#History National parks ( 国立公園 , Kokuritsu Kōen ) and quasi-national parks ( 国定公園 , Kokutei Kōen ) of Japan are places of scenic beauty that are designated for protection and sustainable use by the Minister of the Environment under the Natural Parks Law ( 自然公園法 ) of 1957. National parks are designated and in principle managed by

735-556: The Nagao clan was Nagao Kagetora, later and better known as Uesugi Kenshin . He unified the leaders of Echigo Province and became its sole ruler. By taking the surname Uesugi, he also became the head of the Uesugi clan and effectively brought their realm under his control. The city of Niigata is now the third largest Japanese city facing the Sea of Japan, after Fukuoka and Kitakyushu . It was

784-509: The canal and caused it to become the main current of the Agano River. As a result, the volume of water flowing into the port of Niigata decreased, which in turn allowed land reclamation efforts and the development of new rice fields to proceed. In 1858, Niigata was designated as one of the five ports to be opened for international trade in the Japan–U.S. Treaty of Amity and Commerce . However,

833-502: The capital of Tokyo and the Sea of Japan made it a key point for the transfer of settlers and military personnel to the Asian continent, including Manchukuo . In 1945, near the end of the war, Niigata was one of four cities, together with Hiroshima, Kokura, and Nagasaki, picked as targets for the atomic bombs if Japan did not surrender. However, Niigata was not actually targeted in the first two missions. There were several theories about

882-456: The city center. Niigata City features a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ). However, due to high precipitation, it receives more yearly snowfall than cities with continental climates such as Moscow, Montreal or Oslo. Winters are characterized by their high humidity and strong winds from the Sea of Japan. While many other parts of Niigata Prefecture tend to have heavy snow, Niigata City itself usually receives less due to its low-lying elevation and

931-507: The city until the late 1990s; however, they no longer exist. BRT " Bandai-bashi Line " runs through business/shopping districts in the central Niigata (Niigata Station - Bandai Bridge - Furumachi - City hall - Hakusan Station - Aoyama). The Port of Niigata served as a part of kitamaebune during Edo era, and became one of the five open ports according to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States–Japan) in 1858. The west district of

980-579: The city. Numerous wetlands, such as the Fukushimagata wetlands, can be found within the city limits. The Sakata lagoon is registered as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention . Niigata City's low elevation and abundant water have made flood control and land reclamation important issues for the area throughout its history. The city is sometimes called the "City of Water" ( 水の都 , Mizu-no-miyako ) because of

1029-491: The downtown area of Niigata port in the 17th century. During this period, the courses of the Shinano and Agano rivers gradually changed until they poured into the Sea of Japan at the same location. As a result, Niigata prospered as a port town, serving as a port of call for Japanese trade ships traversing the Sea of Japan. The Matsugasaki Canal was constructed in 1730 to drain the Agano River area, but in 1731, flooding destroyed

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1078-452: The downtown area, but eventually the city recovered. In 1958, construction of the relocated Niigata Station was completed, extending the downtown area from Bandai Bridge. The Niigata Thermal Power Station Unit 1 started operation in July 1963. At that time, it was Japan's first power plant capable of using a mixture of natural gas and heavy oil. In 1964, the old canals that flowed throughout

1127-404: The first Japanese port on the Sea of Japan to be opened to foreign trade following the opening of Japan by Matthew Perry . It has since played an important role in trade with Russia and Korea . A freighter from North Korea visits Niigata once a month, in one of the few forms of direct contact between Japan and that country. The Etsuzankai organization, led by the politician Kakuei Tanaka ,

1176-432: The following: Niigata Airport is located about 6 km north of central Niigata. It handles some international destinations as well as many domestic ones. As of October 2016, the domestic destinations available are Osaka (10 times a day), Sapporo (five or six times a day), Fukuoka (three times a day), Okinawa (once or twice a day), Nagoya (three times a day), Narita (once a day) and Sado Island (three times

1225-562: The function of the network junction between the maritime traffic and those of Shinano and Agano river systems. It was designated as one of the five free treaty ports under the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan, signed in 1858, just before the Meiji Restoration , and later started operations in 1869. Its importance in land and water transportation is still current. Niigata's city government

1274-412: The greatest habitable area of cities in Japan ( list of Japanse cities by area  [ ja ] ). It is designated as a reform base for the large scale agriculture under ( National Strategic Special Zones of Japan  [ ja ] ) initiatives. Niigata was one of the cities incorporated by the legislation effective on April 1, 1889 (Meiji 22). With a long history as a port town, Niigata served

1323-458: The key symbol landmarks in the city (see: Local attractions ). The place name "Niigata" was first recorded in 1520 ( Eisho 17 ). Its name in kanji can be translated as 新 "new" and 潟 "lagoon". However, as there is no record about the origin of the name, this had led to many theories. Niigata is situated on a fertile coastal plain on the Sea of Japan coast, facing Sado Island . The Shinano River and Agano River flow through

1372-459: The land area). On 27 March 2015, the 32nd national park was established, Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park , on 15 September 2016, the 33rd, Yanbaru National Park , and on 7 March 2017, the 34th, Amami Guntō National Park , subsuming Amami Guntō Quasi-National Park . On 25 March 2016, a further quasi-national park was established, Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park , on 27 March 2020, Chūō Alps Quasi-National Park , and, on 30 March 2021,

1421-439: The national, quasi-national, and prefectural natural parks. With minor amendments this established the framework that operates today. As of 1 April 2014, there were 31 national parks and 56 quasi-national parks, with the national parks covering 20,996 km (5.6% of the land area) and the quasi-national parks 13,592 km (3.6% of the land area). In addition, there were 314 prefectural parks covering 19,726 km (5.2% of

1470-569: The old National Parks Law, in colonial Taiwan in 1937: the Tatun National Park (the smallest in Japan); Tsugitaka - Taroko National Park, (the largest); and Niitaka - Arisan National Park (with the highest mountain in then Japan). Ise-Shima was the first to be created after the war , and a further seven had been added by 1955. In 1957 the Natural Parks Law replaced the earlier National Parks Law, allowing for three categories:

1519-466: The old downtown area were filled in to make way for more roads. On June 16, 1964, at 13:01 Japan Standard Time an earthquake of 7.5 Richter scale struck the city, killing 29 people and causing large-scale property damage, with 1,960 totally destroyed buildings, 6,640 partially destroyed buildings, and 15,298 severely inundated by liquefaction . In 1965, the Agano River running through Niigata

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1568-473: The port of Niigata provides passenger transportation facilities as well as cargo transportation, while the east district is dedicated for cargo capabilities, including the container terminal facilities. The Port of Niigata is designated as one of the international hub ports  [ ja ] by the government. The destinations of the passenger services available at the port of Niigata include Ryotsu on Sado island, Otaru, Akita, Tsuruga. Until 2006, Niigata

1617-412: The prefectural economy. Niigata Prefecture is known throughout Japan for its high-quality sake , senbei , mochi , and arare . In sake production, the prefecture comes third after Gunma and Kyoto prefectures. The prefecture was also the place of origin of the ornamental carp known as koi . Niigata Prefecture produces the highest volume of azaleas and cut lilies in Japan, and is increasing

1666-468: The production of cut flowers and flower bulbs. Along with Toyama Prefecture , it produces the highest volume of tulips in the country. Crude oil is produced in Niigata Prefecture, although Japan relies heavily on petroleum imported from other countries. Kerosene heaters are also produced for use in the cold Niigata winters. Kinzan, on Sado Island , was an active gold mine until it was closed in 1989. Sanjō and Tsubame produce 90 percent of all

1715-629: The reasons that Niigata was lowered in the priority, such as poor weather conditions, its distance from B-29 bases in the Mariana Islands, and other factors. On August 11, 1945, after the second atomic bombing in Nagasaki, the governor of Niigata Prefecture ordered the people to evacuate as concerns of an impending bombing heightened, and the city was completely deserted for days until the war ended without more atomic bombings. A devastating Typhoon Louise and fire in 1955 destroyed much of

1764-582: The sea at the time. According to the Nihon Shoki , a fortress was built in the area in AD 647. In the 16th century, a port called Niigata was established at the mouth of the Shinano River , while a port town with the name Nuttari developed at the mouth of the Agano River . The area prospered beneath the rule of Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku Period . A system of canals was constructed throughout

1813-605: The shallow water level in the port delayed the actual opening to foreign ships until 1869. The port also served as a valuable base for fishermen who roamed as far north as the Kamchatka Peninsula to catch salmon and other fish. In 1886, the first Bandai Bridge was built across the Shinano River to connect the settlements of Niigata on the west and Nuttari on the east. Niigata annexed Nuttari in 1914. During World War II , Niigata's strategic location between

1862-537: The shielding effect of Sado Island . On average, Niigata City has 269 days of precipitation each year, about 170 days of which see rain or snowfall measuring over 1 mm. The rainy season in July brings large amounts of rain, while the winter months, especially November and December, also have much precipitation. In summer, the south wind makes the weather rather hot. Typhoons usually bring strong foehn winds to this area, generally causing somewhat higher temperatures than in other parts of Japan. The weather on

1911-595: The shrines and forests of Nikkō be placed under public protection. In 1929 the National Parks Association was formed. In 1931 the first National Parks Law ( 国立公園法 ) was passed. After much study and survey, in March 1934 the first parks were established — Setonaikai , Unzen and Kirishima — with five more in December and a further four two years later. Three further parks were established under

1960-404: The silverware made in Japan. The two cities are second after Osaka in the production of scissors , kitchen knives , nail clippers and wrenches . Niigata Prefecture may have been the first area in Japan to produce knitted textiles , although the earliest products may have been imported from China. A nuclear power plant , which formerly had the highest energy output in the world, is located in

2009-546: The sixth largest island of Japan in area following the four main islands and Okinawa Island . Until after the Meiji Restoration , the area that is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province (on the mainland) and Sado Province . During the Sengoku period , the Nagao clan , who were at times vassals to the Uesugi, ruled a fief in the western part of modern Niigata from Kasugayama Castle. The most notable member of

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2058-579: The tiny village of Kariwa . It has been closed since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster . In the Census of 2003, Niigata ranked as the 14th most populous. Niigata is known for the following regional specialities: Much of the tourism in Niigata centers around skiing , especially in the alpine areas of Myōkō and Yuzawa , and going to onsen . Sado Island off the west coast of Niigata

2107-482: The towns and villages in each district : The major industry in Niigata Prefecture is agriculture. Rice is the principal product, and among the prefectures of Japan Niigata is second only to Hokkaidō in rice output. The area around Uonuma is known for producing the Koshihikari variety, widely considered to be the highest-quality rice produced in Japan. Rice-related industries are also very important to

2156-505: The two rivers that flow through it, its position next to the Sea of Japan, its many wetlands, and the canals that used to run through the city. It is also sometimes referred to as the "City of Willows" ( 柳の都 , Yanagi-no-miyako ) or Ryuto ( 柳都 ) because of the willow trees that lined the old canals. In recent years, the city has been promoting itself as a "Designated City of Food and Flowers" ( 食と花の政令市 , Shoku to hana no seireishi ) , highlighting its agricultural areas outside of

2205-503: The west coast of Honshu tends to be better during the summer months than on the Pacific coast. Niigata has a system of wards ( ku ) since April 1, 2007: Each ward has its own "image color". From the north, following Niigata's border clockwise : People have inhabited the Niigata area ( Furutsu Hachimanyama Site ) since the Jōmon period , though much of the current land was still beneath

2254-406: Was established in 1889. Mergers with nearby municipalities in 2005 allowed the city's population to jump to 810,000. The annexation of the surrounding area has also given the city the greatest rice paddy field acreage in Japan. On April 1, 2007, it became the first government-designated city on the coast of the Sea of Japan of Honshu. There are eight wards ( described later ) in the city. Until

2303-602: Was formerly the terminus of the Mangyongbong-92 ferry , one of the direct connections between Japan and North Korea . Niigata has its own geisha culture since over 200 years ago dating back to the Edo period. This was due to the prosperity of the city as a port town. Locally they are called geigi and the tradition continues on. Most ochaya are located in the Furumachi neighbourhood with well-known places such as

2352-612: Was highly influential in bringing infrastructure improvements to Niigata Prefecture in the 1960s and 1970s. These included the Jōetsu Shinkansen high-speed rail line and the Kanetsu Expressway to Tokyo. On October 23, 2004, the Chūetsu earthquake struck Niigata Prefecture and was measured at Shindo 6+ at Ojiya . On January 9, 2006, a heavy winter storm struck the prefecture and its neighbors. At least 71 people died and more than 1,000 were injured. Also in 2006,

2401-526: Was polluted with methylmercury from the chemical plant of the Showa Electrical Company . Over 690 people exhibited symptoms of Minamata disease and the outbreak became known as Niigata Minamata disease . In 1982, Shinkansen service on the Jōetsu Shinkansen line began between Niigata and Omiya , with service to Ueno added in 1985. The line was extended to Tokyo in 1991. Big Swan Stadium in Niigata City hosted three games during

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