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The hub of exchange &
cooperation in Northeast Asia

Niigata Prefecture

Hanazumi Hideyo

  • NationJapan
  • Government NameNiigata Prefecture
  • GovernorHanazumi Hideyo

Symbol

Emblem

Emblem

 

Tree

Tree

Snow Camellia

Bird

Bird

Toki

Flower

Flower

Tulip

History

  • The area that is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province and Sado Province until after the Meiji Restoration.
  • In 1873, Kashiwazaki Province was annexed to Niigata Prefecture and in 1876, Aikawa Prefecture as well. In 1886, Higashikanbara Port was annexed to Niigata.

Topographic Features

  • Niigata Prefecture stretches about 240㎞ 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. Because of the way it is shaped, Niigata Prefecture is often called “small Honsh?.” It could be placed in either the Hokuriku or the Koshin'etsu, both of which are considered parts of the Chubu region. It has the fifth largest territory following Hokkaido, Iwate Prefecture, Hukushima Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.

Basic Information

  Contents
Geography/Climate
  • Area: 12,583㎢
  • Location: 36˚44′~ 38˚33′north latitude and 137˚38′~139˚54′east longitude
  • Average temperature: 13.9℃, Annual precipitation 2014.5㎜（2006）
Population
  • Population: 2,193,034(February 2021)
  • Household: 907,484(February 2021)
  • Population density: 188.7/㎢(2010)
Governmental Structure
  • Organizational Structure: 1 Governor, 3 Vice Governors, 10 Departments and bureaus 78 Divisions(2008)
  • Number of employees: 7,019(2008)
  • Administrative divisions : 20 cities, 7 towns, 4 villages
Major events
  • January: Mukonage/Suminuri Festival, Take-no-karakai
  • February: Tokamachi Snow Festival, Minami Ounuma City Snow Festival
  • March: Urasa Bishamon-Do, Yuzawa Onsen Snow Festival
  • April: Takada Castle Hyakumannin Cherry Blossom Festival, Itoigawa Festival, Bunsui Sakura Festival Oiran Parade
  • May: Sanjo Festival
  • June: Shirone Kite Battle, Enma-ichi Festival, Kakubee Lion Dance Street Performance Festival
  • July: Murakami Grand Festival, Sekiyama Shrine Fire Festival, Joetsu Festival, Yahiko Lantern Festival
  • August: Nagaoka Festival, Niigata-Matsuri Festival, EARTH Celebration, Jokamachi Shibata Furusato Matsuri
  • September: Katagai Festival
  • October: Hakkaisan Walking-over-fire Grand Festival
  • November: Yahiko Chrysanthemum Festival
  • December: Gishi (samurai) Festival
Tourist Attractions
  • Fukushima Lagoon (One of the 100 most beautiful sceneries in Japan)
  • Suzuga Waterfall (One of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan)
  • Hutatsugame Beach (One of the 100 most beautiful beaches in Japan)
  • Mt. Myoko (One of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan)
  • Kiyotsukyo Gorge (one of the three great gorges in Japan)
Sisterhood & Friendship Provinces / Cities
  • China: Heilongjiang Province(Aug 1993)
  • Others: Popua Province, Indonesia(June 1993), Colorado, US(Dec 1986)
Sisterhood & Friendship Provinces / Cities
  • China: Heilongjiang Province(Aug 1983)

Economic Status

  Contents
Economy
  • GRDP (nominal): ￥9,373.1 bln (2005)
  • Per Capita Income: ￥2,772,000(2005)
  • Fiscal budget(2008) - General account budget: ￥1,183.4 bln - Special account budget: ￥90.8 bln
Industry
  • Industrial Structure - Primary industry 7.5%, - Secondary industry 31.1%, - Tertiary industry 60.7%
Products
  • Agricultural and Fisheries Products - Rice: The “Koshihikari”variety of rice produced in Niigata Prefecture is known throughout the country as synonymous with delicious rice, and the prefecture is Japan's No. 1 producing center of rice in terms of output and value. - Seasonable vegetables and fruits : It is also among top-class prefectures in the country in growing seasonable vegetables and fruits such as “edamame” (green soybeans) and Western pear Le Lectier, and flowers like tulips. - Stockbreeding : Niigata’s 54.4 bln worth livestock include chicken, pork, milk cow and beef cattle. Recently, Niigata has been expanding production and selling of the outstanding local brand products such as Wagyu and Jidori beef. - Forestry: Accounting for 69% of the total area of Niigata, forests contribute to the livelihood by providing water and preventing disasters. Japanese cedar produced in artificial forests is widely used for construction. Niigata occupies 2nd place in mushroom production, which has been the major source of income for rural areas and mountain villages. - Fisheries: Along the 630 km long coast, various kinds of fish are harvested, including yellow tail, squid and shrimp. Sado island is famous for crab farming. Carp referred to as being “living jewels”is cultured in the central mountain areas of Niigata.

Others

  • Contact：International Affairs Division
  • Address： 956-0101 新潟縣新潟市中央區新光町4-1
  • Tel.：+81-25-280-5962
  • Fax.：+81-25-280-5126
  • Official Website : http://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp