View source for Niigata (city)

{{Expand Japanese|新潟市|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                            = Niigata
| native_name                     = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|新潟市}}}}
| official_name                   = Niigata City
| settlement_type                 = [[Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan|Designated city]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline                   = {{multiple image
| border                          = infobox
| total_width                     = 290
| perrow                          = 1/2/2/2
| image1                          = Niigata from Bandaijima Building 20200906 P4.jpg
| alt1                            = NiigataCity Skylines from [[Toki Messe]]
| image2                          = Bandaibashi-Bridge 20130929.JPG
| alt2                            = Bandai Bridge
| image3                          = 160716 Old Niigata Customs Government Building Niigata Japan01n.jpg
| alt3                            = Old Niigata Customs Government Building Niigata
| image4                          = Minatopia003.JPG
| alt4                            = [[Niigata City History Museum|MINATOPIA]]
| image5                          = Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall1.JPG
| alt5                            = Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall
| image6                          = Furumachi.jpg
| alt6                            = Furumachi area
| image7                          = BandaiCityPanorama 201909 2.jpg
| alt7                            = Bandai City
}}
| imagesize                       = 
| image_alt                       = 
| image_caption                   = <table style="width:280px; margin:2px auto; border-collapse:collapse">
<tr><td style = "width:100%" colspan="2">Niigata skylines from [[Toki Messe]]</tr>
<tr><td style = "width:50%">[[Bandai Bridge]]<td style="width:50%">Old Niigata Customs Government Building Niigata</tr>
<tr><td style = "width:50%">[[Niigata City History Museum|Minatopia]]<td style="width:50%">Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall</tr>
<tr><td style = "width:50%">[[Furumachi (Niigata)|Furumachi]] area<td style="width:50%">[[Bandai City]]</tr>
</table>
| image_flag                      = Flag of Niigata, Niigata.svg
| flag_alt                        = 
| image_seal                      = Emblem of Niigata, Niigata.svg
| seal_alt                        = 
| image_shield                    = 
| shield_alt                      = 
| image_blank_emblem              = 
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = <!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map                       = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=8}}
| image_map1                      = Niigata in Niigata Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = Location of Niigata in Niigata Prefecture
| pushpin_map                     = Japan
| pushpin_label_position          = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = &nbsp;
| coordinates                     = {{coord|37|54|58|N|139|2|11|E|region:JPN-15|display=it}}
| coor_pinpoint                   = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes           = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Japan
| subdivision_type1               = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Kōshin'etsu region|Kōshin'etsu]]) ([[Hokuriku region|Hokuriku]])
| subdivision_type2               = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]]
| subdivision_type3               = 
| subdivision_name3               = <!-- established -->
| established_title               = City Status 
| established_date                = April 1, 1889{{citation needed|date= December 2020}} {{ill|city incorporation|ja|市制#1888年（明治21年）制定の市制}} )
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = <!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type                       = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat                            = <!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party                    = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Yaichi Nakahara (from November, 2018)
| leader_title1                   = 
| leader_name1                    = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
<!-- display settings  -->| total_type                      = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref                       = <!-- enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric -->
<!-- area -->| area_magnitude                  = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes                  = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2                  = 726.45
| area_land_km2                   = 
| area_water_km2                  = 
| area_water_percent              = 
| area_note                       = <!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes             = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m                     = <!-- population -->
| population_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total                = 797591
| population_as_of                = July 1, 2019
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_est                  = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| population_demonym              = <!-- demonym, ie. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note                 = 
| population_metro_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite web |title=UEA Code Tables |url=http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_code_e.htm |publisher=Center for Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo |access-date=January 26, 2019}}</ref> (2015)
| population_metro                = 1060013 ([[Urban Employment Area|17th]])
<!-- time zone(s) -->| timezone1                       = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1                     = +9
<!-- postal codes, area code -->| postal_code_type                = 
| postal_code                     = 
| area_code_type                  = 
<!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code                       = 
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1                 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_info_sec1                 = 025-243-4894
| blank1_name_sec1                = Address
| blank1_info_sec1                = 1-602-1 Gakkōchō-dōri, Chūō-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken 951-8550
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2        = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
<!-- website, footnotes -->| website                         = {{URL|http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/|city.niigata.lg.jp}}
| footnotes                       = 
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
 | tree = [[Willow]]
 | flower = [[Tulip]]
 | bird = [[Swan]]
 | flowering_tree = 
 | butterfly = 
 | fish = 
 | other_symbols = 
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|title=Niigata
|pic=Niigata (Chinese characters).svg
|piccap="Niigata" in ''[[kanji]]''
|picupright=0.42
|kanji=新潟
|romaji=Niigata
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Niigata'''|新潟市|Niigata-shi|extra={{IPA-ja|niːɡata|}}}} is a city located in the northern part of [[Niigata Prefecture]] ({{ill|Kaetsu area|ja|下越地方}}). It is the capital and the most populous [[Cities of Japan|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 the [[Sea of Japan]] and [[Sado, Niigata|Sado Island]]. {{As of|2022|09|01}}, the city had an estimated population of 779,049, and a [[population density]] of 1,072 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area is {{convert|726.45|sqkm|sqmi}}. Greater Niigata, the Niigata [[Urban Employment Area|Metropolitan Employment Area]], has a GDP of US$43.3 billion as of 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm|title = Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data|author = Yoshitsugu Kanemoto|publisher = Center for Spatial Information Science, The [[University of Tokyo]]|access-date = 2016-09-29|archive-date = 2018-06-15|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111107/http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>[https://data.oecd.org/conversion/exchange-rates.htm Conversion rates - Exchange rates] - OECD Data</ref>

It is the only government-designated city on the west coast of Honshu. It has the greatest habitable area of cities in Japan ({{ill|list of Japanse cities by area|ja|日本の市の面積一覧}}). It is designated as a reform base for the large scale agriculture under  ({{ill|National Strategic Special Zones of Japan|ja|国家戦略特別区域}}) initiatives.

==Overview==
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 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 [[Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States-Japan)]] signed in 1858, just before the [[Meiji Restoration]], later started operations in 1869. Its importance in land and water transportation is still current. 

Niigata's city government 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 [[Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan|government-designated city]] on the coast of the Sea of Japan of Honshu. There are 8 [[Wards of Japan|wards]] [[#Wards|described in later]] in the city.

===Toponymy===
The place name "Niigata" was first recorded in 1520 ([[Eishō (Muromachi period)|Eisho 17]]).<ref>{{Cite book|author = 知っておきたい新潟県の歴史編集委員会|year = 2010 |script-title=ja:知っておきたい新潟県の歴史|publisher = 新潟日報事業社|isbn = 978-4861323720}}</ref> Its name in [[kanji]] can be translated as {{Nihongo2|{{linktext|新}}}} "new” and {{Nihongo2|{{linktext|潟}}}} "lagoon".

However, as there is no record about the origin of the name, this had led to many theories. First "Niigata" was a large lagoon at the mouth of the Shinano river. Second it was an inland bay at the river's entrance. Third it was the name of a village that stood on an island within the estuary. Fourth it referred to another settlement that relocated to the [[Furumachi (Niigata)|Furumachi district]] and that in turn gave its name to a nearby lagoon.<ref>{{Cite book|author = 角川日本地名大辞典 編纂委員会|year = 1989 |script-title=ja:角川日本地名大辞典 15 新潟県|publisher = (株)角川書店|isbn = 4-04-001150-3}}</ref>
===Cityscapes===
{{wide image|Central-city-area-in-Niigata Panoramic-photo 2013-06-05.jpg|1500px|The central city area of Niigata City, viewed from the upper sidewalk of the Ryuto Ohashi Bridge. The right side is [[Furumachi (Niigata)|Furumachi]]. The left side is Bandai .}}
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="Gallery" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Next21 1.JPG|[[Central Business District|CBD]] of Niigata City（2012）
File:Niigata chitose-koji 20131021-02.JPG|[[Downtown]] [[Furumachi (Niigata)|Furumachi]]（2013）
File:What's Niigata and Toki Messe Sep2021.jpg|[[Toki Messe]]（2021）
File:Niigata Toki Messe Bandaijima Park Tempi Sep2021.jpg|River Front Park（2021）
File:Niigata City 2022-01.jpg|A view of Niigata City and [[Shinano River]] from observation deck of [[Niigata Prefecture]] Building (2022)
File:Sunset of Niigata City2022.jpg|[[Sunset]] of Niigata City（2022）
</gallery>

==Geography==
[[File:Aerial photo of Niigata 24-May-2019.jpg|thumb|200px|Aerial photo of Niigata]]
[[File:Echigo-plain.jpg|thumb|200px|View of [[Echigo Plain]] from {{ill|Mount Kakuda|ja|角田山}}]]
[[File:Sceanry of the lagoon Fukushimagata 20160504a.jpg|thumb|200px|Lake Fukushimagata]]
[[File:NiigataCityOpenData sakata002.jpg|thumb|200px|Lake Sakata]]
Niigata is situated on a fertile [[coastal plain]] on the [[Sea of Japan]] coast, facing [[Sado, Niigata|Sado Island]]. The [[Shinano River]] and [[Agano River]] flow through 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 {{Nihongo|"City of Water"|水の都|Mizu-no-miyako}} because of 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 {{nihongo|"City of Willows"|柳の都|Yanagi-no-miyako}} or {{Nihongo||柳都|Ryuto}} because of the willow trees that lined the old canals. In recent years, the city has been promoting itself as a {{Nihongo|"Designated City of Food and Flowers"|食と花の政令市|Shoku to hana no seireishi}}, highlighting its agricultural areas outside of the city center.

===Climate===
Niigata City features a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfa]]), but receives more yearly snowfall than cities such as Moscow, Montreal or Oslo. The climate in Niigata City is characterized by its high humidity and strong winds from the Sea of Japan in winter. 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 the shielding effect of [[Sado, Niigata|Sado Island]].

However, Niigata City does receive much precipitation, mostly in the form of rainfall. On average, Niigata City has 269 days of precipitation each year, about 170 days of which see rain or snowfall measuring over 1&nbsp;mm.<ref>[http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=54&prec_ch=%90V%8A%83%8C%A7&block_no=47604&block_ch=%90V%8A%83&year=&month=&day=&view=a1 平年値(年・月ごとの値)]</ref> The [[East Asian rainy season|rainy season]] in July brings large amounts of rain, while the winter months, especially November and December, also have much precipitation.<ref name="NIIGATAdata">''Niigata City 2007 Statistical Data'', published 2007</ref>

In summer, the south wind makes the weather rather hot.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} [[Tropical cyclone|Typhoons]] usually bring strong [[foehn wind]]s to this area, generally causing somewhat higher temperatures than in other parts of Japan.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} The weather on the west coast of Honshu tends to be better during the summer months than on the Pacific coast.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
{{Weather box
|location = Niigata (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1881−present)
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 15.3
|Feb record high C = 21.3
|Mar record high C = 25.1
|Apr record high C = 30.7
|May record high C = 32.9
|Jun record high C = 35.0
|Jul record high C = 38.5
|Aug record high C = 39.9
|Sep record high C = 38.8
|Oct record high C = 33.3
|Nov record high C = 27.2
|Dec record high C = 23.6
|Jan record low C = -11.7
|Feb record low C = -13.0
|Mar record low C = -6.4
|Apr record low C = -2.5
|May record low C = 2.0
|Jun record low C = 6.7
|Jul record low C = 11.4
|Aug record low C = 14.5
|Sep record low C = 7.9
|Oct record low C = 3.0
|Nov record low C = -1.8
|Dec record low C = -9.5
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 180.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 115.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 112.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 97.2
|May precipitation mm = 94.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 121.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 222.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 163.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 151.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 157.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 203.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 225.9
|year precipitation mm = 1845.9
|Jan mean C = 2.5
|Feb mean C = 3.1
|Mar mean C = 6.2
|Apr mean C = 11.3
|May mean C = 16.7
|Jun mean C = 20.9
|Jul mean C = 24.9
|Aug mean C = 26.5
|Sep mean C = 22.5
|Oct mean C = 16.7
|Nov mean C = 10.5
|Dec mean C = 5.3
|year mean C = 13.9
|Jan high C = 5.3
|Feb high C = 6.4
|Mar high C = 10.3
|Apr high C = 16.1
|May high C = 21.3
|Jun high C = 24.8
|Jul high C = 28.7
|Aug high C = 30.8
|Sep high C = 26.4
|Oct high C = 20.7
|Nov high C = 14.3
|Dec high C = 8.7
|year high C = 17.8
|Jan low C = 0.1
|Feb low C = -0.1
|Mar low C = 2.4
|Apr low C = 7.0
|May low C = 12.7
|Jun low C = 17.7
|Jul low C = 21.8
|Aug low C = 23.3
|Sep low C = 19.0
|Oct low C = 12.8
|Nov low C = 6.9
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C = 10.5
|Jan humidity = 72
|Feb humidity = 74
|Mar humidity = 68
|Apr humidity = 66
|May humidity = 69
|Jun humidity = 74
|Jul humidity = 79
|Aug humidity = 75
|Sep humidity = 73
|Oct humidity = 72
|Nov humidity = 74
|Dec humidity = 74
|year humidity = 72
|Jan sun = 56.4
|Feb sun = 74.3
|Mar sun = 136.8
|Apr sun = 177.7
|May sun = 202.8
|Jun sun = 179.2
|Jul sun = 162.1
|Aug sun = 205.2
|Sep sun = 156.2
|Oct sun = 138.2
|Nov sun = 91.5
|Dec sun = 62.9
|year sun = 1639.6
|Jan snow cm = 63
|Feb snow cm = 48
|Mar snow cm = 8
|Apr snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 19
|year snow cm = 139
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 23.3
|Feb precipitation days = 19.0
|Mar precipitation days = 17.4
|Apr precipitation days = 13.3
|May precipitation days = 11.3
|Jun precipitation days = 10.6
|Jul precipitation days = 13.6
|Aug precipitation days = 10.9
|Sep precipitation days = 13.5
|Oct precipitation days = 15.2
|Nov precipitation days = 19.2
|Dec precipitation days = 24.1
|year precipitation days = 191.4
|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=54&block_no=47604&year=&month=&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） 
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]
| access-date = May 19, 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = [[Nishikan-ku, Niigata|Nishikan-ku]]{{efn|location in former [[Maki, Niigata (Nishikanbara)|Maki]] town}} (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 14.8
|Feb record high C = 21.6
|Mar record high C = 23.2
|Apr record high C = 29.2
|May record high C = 32.2
|Jun record high C = 33.2
|Jul record high C = 36.9
|Aug record high C = 38.9
|Sep record high C = 38.6
|Oct record high C = 32.4
|Nov record high C = 24.8
|Dec record high C = 18.9
|Jan record low C = -13.1
|Feb record low C = -12.0
|Mar record low C = -7.5
|Apr record low C = -3.2
|May record low C = 4.0
|Jun record low C = 8.8
|Jul record low C = 13.4
|Aug record low C = 12.7
|Sep record low C = 7.1
|Oct record low C = 1.8
|Nov record low C = -5.4
|Dec record low C = -12.2
|Jan high C = 5.2
|Feb high C = 5.9
|Mar high C = 9.9
|Apr high C = 16.0
|May high C = 21.4
|Jun high C = 24.8
|Jul high C = 28.3
|Aug high C = 30.2
|Sep high C = 26.4
|Oct high C = 20.4
|Nov high C = 14.2
|Dec high C = 8.2
|Jan mean C = 2.1
|Feb mean C = 2.2
|Mar mean C = 5.3
|Apr mean C = 10.7
|May mean C = 16.4
|Jun mean C = 20.4
|Jul mean C = 24.3
|Aug mean C = 25.6
|Sep mean C = 21.6
|Oct mean C = 15.6
|Nov mean C = 9.7
|Dec mean C = 4.6
|Jan low C = -0.7
|Feb low C = -1.1
|Mar low C = 1.0
|Apr low C = 5.6
|May low C = 12.1
|Jun low C = 16.8
|Jul low C = 21.0
|Aug low C = 21.9
|Sep low C = 17.7
|Oct low C = 11.2
|Nov low C = 5.6
|Dec low C = 1.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 165.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 99.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 99.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 90.9
|May precipitation mm = 85.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 117.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 213.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 154.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 130.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 136.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 190.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 222.8
|year precipitation mm = 1704.1
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 20.1
|Feb precipitation days = 16.2
|Mar precipitation days = 15.9
|Apr precipitation days = 11.8
|May precipitation days = 10.3
|Jun precipitation days = 9.9
|Jul precipitation days = 12.5
|Aug precipitation days = 10.1
|Sep precipitation days = 11.7
|Oct precipitation days = 13.6
|Nov precipitation days = 17.5
|Dec precipitation days = 20.6
|Jan sun = 47.9
|Feb sun = 71.2
|Mar sun = 129.9
|Apr sun = 171.5
|May sun = 195.0
|Jun sun = 174.9
|Jul sun = 157.8
|Aug sun = 182.4
|Sep sun = 139.1
|Oct sun = 126.0
|Nov sun = 85.4
|Dec sun = 49.6
|year sun = 1530.7
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0522&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0522&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） 
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 23, 2022}}</ref>}}
===Wards===
[[File:For Bandai City Area - panoramio.jpg|thumb|200px|View of [[Chūō-ku, Niigata|Chuo Ward]]]]
Niigata has a system of [[Wards of Japan|wards]] (''ku'') since April 1, 2007:<ref>[http://www.city.niigata.jp/info/kikaku/seirei_shitei_toshi/singikai/tousin/tousinitizu.htm Map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191039/http://www.city.niigata.jp/info/kikaku/seirei_shitei_toshi/singikai/tousin/tousinitizu.htm |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref> Each ward has its own "image color".

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="810px"
! colspan="5" | Wards of Niigata
|-
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Place Name
!
!Map of Niigata
|-
! style="width: 190px;" |[[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
! style="width: 190px;" |[[Kanji]]
!Color
!
|-
| style="text-align: center;" "width: 20px;" | 1
|[[Akiha-ku, Niigata|Akiha Ward]]
|秋葉区
|{{Color|#009e3b|■}} Floral green
| rowspan="8" |[[File:Niigata-ku en.jpg|center|border|400px|A map of Niigata's Wards]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2
|[[Chūō-ku, Niigata|Chuo Ward]] (administrative center)
| 中央区
|{{Color|#003894|■}} Waterfront blue
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 3
|[[Higashi-ku, Niigata|Higashi Ward]]
| 東区
|{{Color|#0086ce|■}} Aqua blue
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 4
|[[Kita-ku, Niigata|Kita Ward]]
| 北区
|{{Color|#007248|■}} Nature green
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 5
|[[Kōnan-ku, Niigata|Konan Ward]]
| 江南区
|{{Color|#b4b900|■}} Spring green
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 6
|[[Minami-ku, Niigata|Minami Ward]]
| 南区
|{{Color|#00b9ef|■}} Breeze blue
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 7
|[[Nishi-ku, Niigata|Nishi Ward]]
| 西区
|{{Color|#ea5404|■}} Sunset orange
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 8
|[[Nishikan-ku, Niigata|Nishikan Ward]]
| 西蒲区
|{{Color|#f5a100|■}} Harvest yellow
|}
{{Clear}}

===Adjoining communities===
From the north, following Niigata's border [[clockwise]]:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Seirō, Niigata|Seirō]], [[Kitakanbara District, Niigata|Kitakanbara District]]
* [[Shibata, Niigata|Shibata]]
* [[Agano, Niigata|Agano]]
* [[Gosen, Niigata|Gosen]]
* [[Tagami, Niigata|Tagami]], [[Minamikanbara District, Niigata|Minamikanbara District]]
* [[Kamo, Niigata|Kamo]]
* [[Sanjō, Niigata|Sanjō]]
* [[Tsubame, Niigata|Tsubame]]
* [[Yahiko, Niigata|Yahiko]], [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]
* [[Nagaoka, Niigata|Nagaoka]]
{{div col end}}
* In addition [[Sado, Niigata|Sado Island]] is connected by sea and air routes.

==History==
===Prehistoric and ancient===
People have inhabited the Niigata area（[[Furutsu Hachimanyama Site]]） since the [[Jōmon period]], though much of the current land was still beneath the sea at the time. According to the [[Nihon Shoki]], a fortress was built in the area in AD 647.
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Furutsu Hachimanyama Site.jpg|[[Furutsu Hachimanyama Site]]
</gallery>
===Middle Ages===
;Feudal period
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]].

===Early Modern Ages===
A system of canals was constructed throughout 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 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.

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="Gallery" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Nishiki-e_-_View_of_Niigata_Port.jpg|Nishiki-e "Niigata Minato no Shinkei" (View of Niigata Port), 1859
File:Hiroshige II Echigo Niigata.jpg|Niigata drawn by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1859
</gallery>

===Late Modern Ages===
In 1858, Niigata was designated as one of the five ports to be opened for international trade in the [[Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States–Japan)|Japan–U.S. Treaty of Amity and Commerce]]. However, 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 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]].
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="Gallery" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Minatopia003.JPG|[[Niigata City History Museum]] (Minatopia)
File:160716 Old Niigata Customs Government Building Niigata Japan01n.jpg|Old Niigata Customs Government Building
File:160716 Former Daishi Bank Sumiyoshi-cho Branch Niigata Japan01n.jpg|Former Daishi Bank Sumiyoshi-cho Branch
File:Bandaibashi-Bridge 20130929.JPG|[[Bandai Bridge]]
</gallery>
===Contemporary Ages===
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 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.<ref>[http://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2015/10/09/neglected-niigata/ Neglected Niigata | Restricted Data]</ref> 

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.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2015/08/12/niigata-ghost-town-1945_n_7980210.html 新潟がゴーストタウンになった日。知事が命じた「原爆疎開」 | ハフポスト]</ref> 

A devastating Typhoon Louise and fire in 1955 destroyed much of 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 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 magnitude scale|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 [[Soil liquefaction|liquefaction]].

In 1965, the [[Agano River]] running through Niigata was polluted with [[methylmercury]] from the chemical plant of the [[Showa Denko|Showa Electrical Company]]. Over 690 people exhibited symptoms of [[Minamata disease]] and the outbreak became known as [[Niigata Minamata disease]].

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="Gallery" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Niitsu Oil field in 1930s.JPG|[[Niitsu Oil Field]]（1930s）
File:Great Fire of Niigata.JPG|The 1955 fire of Niigata
File:Liquefaction at Niigata.JPG|Some effects of [[Soil liquefaction|liquefaction]] during the [[1964 Niigata earthquake]]
</gallery>

In 1982, [[Shinkansen]] service on the [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]] line began between Niigata and [[Ōmiya Station (Saitama)|Omiya]], with service to [[Ueno, Tokyo|Ueno]] added in 1985. The line was extended to Tokyo in 1991.

[[Big Swan Stadium]] in Niigata City hosted three games during 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 and dissolutions in Japan|municipal mergers]]. On April 1, 2007, Niigata City became first city on the west coast of Honshu to become a [[City designated by government ordinance|government-designated city]].

In July 2007, the [[2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake|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 [[34th G8 summit|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.

===Mergers===
[[File:Amalgamation Niigata-en.jpg|thumb|Mergers of Niigata]]
*On April 1, 1889 - the village of Sekiya was amalgamated into the town of Niigata to become the city of Niigata.
*On April 1, 1914 - The town of Nuttari (from [[Nakakanbara District, Niigata|Nakakanbara District]]) was amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On June 1, 1943 - The village of Ohgata (from [[Nakakanbara District, Niigata|Nakakanbara District]]) was amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On December 8, 1943 - The villages of Ishiyama and Toyano (both from [[Nakakanbara District, Niigata|Nakakanbara District]]) were amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On April 5, 1954 - The village of Matsugasakihama (from [[Kitakanbara District, Niigata|Kitakanbara District]]) was amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On November 1, 1954 - The villages of Nigorikawa and Minamihama (both from [[Kitakanbara District, Niigata|Kitakanbara District]]) and the village of Sakaiwa (from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) were amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On May 3, 1957 - The villages of Ryokawa, Sonoki and Oheyama (all from [[Nakakanbara District, Niigata|Nakakanbara District]]) were amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On January 11, 1960 - The town of Uchino (from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) was merged into the city of Niigata.
*On April 1, 1960 - The Hamaura hamlet of the town of [[Toyosaka, Niigata|Toyosaka]] (from [[Kitakanbara District, Niigata|Kitakanbara District]]) was merged into the city of Niigata.
*On June 1, 1961 - The villages of Nakanokoya and Akatsuka (both from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) were amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On January 1, 2001 - The town of [[Kurosaki, Niigata|Kurosaki]] (from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) was amalgamated into the city of Niigata.
*On March 21, 2005 - The cities of [[Niitsu, Niigata|Niitsu]], [[Shirone, Niigata|Shirone]] and [[Toyosaka, Niigata|Toyosaka]], the towns of [[Kameda, Niigata|Kameda]], [[Kosudo, Niigata|Kosudo]] and [[Yokogoshi, Niigata|Yokogoshi]] (all from [[Nakakanbara District, Niigata|Nakakanbara District]]), the town of [[Nishikawa, Niigata|Nishikawa]], and the villages of [[Ajikata, Niigata|Ajikata]], [[Iwamuro, Niigata|Iwamuro]], [[Katahigashi, Niigata|Katahigashi]], [[Nakanokuchi, Niigata|Nakanokuchi]] and [[Tsukigata, Niigata|Tsukigata]] (all from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) were all merged into the expanded city of Niigata.
*On October 10, 2005 - The town of [[Maki, Niigata (Kanbara)|Maki]] (from [[Nishikanbara District, Niigata|Nishikanbara District]]) was merged into the expanded city of Niigata.

==Government==
===City Hall===
;List of mayors of Niigata City (1889 to present)
{{col-start}}
{{col-3}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Dates
!Mayor
|-
||27 May 1889 – 3 June 1891
|Komitsu Ogura<br/>(小倉幸光)<br/>
|-
||30 June 1891 – 30 May 1899
|Chozo Suzuki<br/>(鈴木長蔵)<br/>
|-
||24 July 1899 – 25 September 1902
|Tomonao Yagi<br/>(八木朋直)<br/>
|-
||4 November 1902 – 20 February 1904
|Samon Hagino<br/>(萩野左門)<br/>
|-
||27 April 1904 – 9 May 1916
|Ryojiro Yoshida<br/>(吉田良治郎)<br/>
|-
||28 December 1916 – 16 January 1919
|Itsusaku Sakurai<br/>(桜井市作)<br/>
|-
||22 September 1919 – 10 September 1921
|Kenji Watanabe<br/>(渡辺兼二)<br/>
|}
{{col-3}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Dates
!Mayor
|-
||14 January 1922 – 6 May 1925
|Yukijiro Shibasaki<br/>(柴崎雪次郎)<br/>
|-
||26 August 1925 – 25 August 1929<br/>16 November 1929 – 15 November 1933<br/>
|Yoshito Nakamura<br/>(中村淑人)<br/>
|-
||30 January 1934 – 24 July 1937
|Masae Koyanagi<br/>(小柳牧衛)<br/>
|-
||17 December 1937 – 26 August 1938
|Takemi Muramatsu<br/>(村松武美)<br/>
|-
||5 December 1938 – 8 November 1946
|Hide Inoue<br/>(井上英)<br/>
|-
||7 April 1947 – 1 May 1959
|Saburo Murata<br/>(村田三郎)<br/>
|-
||2 May 1959 – 1 May 1975
|Kotaro Watanabe<br/>(渡辺浩太郎)<br/>
|}
{{col-3}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Dates
!Mayor
|-
||2 May 1975 – 14 December 1982
|Kihachiro Kawakami<br/>(川上喜八郎)<br/>
|-
||30 January 1983 – 9 October 1990
|Genki Wakasugi<br/>(若杉元喜)<br/>
|-
||18 November 1990 – 17 November 2002
|Yoshiaki Hasegawa<br/>(長谷川義明)<br/>
|-
||18 November 2002 – 17 November 2018
|Akira Shinoda<br/>(篠田昭)<br/>
|-
||18 November 2018 – present
|Yaichi Nakahara<br/>(中原八一)<br/>
|}
{{col-end}}

==External relations==
===Twin towns – sister cities===
====International====
;Sister Cities
Niigata maintains [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister city]] ties with six cities:
{|class="wikitable"
![[City]]!![[Country]]!![[State (polity)|State]]!!since
|-
|[[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]
|{{Flagicon|USA}}[[United States]]
|[[Texas]]
|January 28, 1965
|-
|[[Khabarovsk]]
|{{Flagicon|RUS}}[[Russia]]
|[[Khabarovsk Krai]]
|April 23, 1965
|-
|[[Vladivostok]]
|{{Flagicon|RUS}}[[Russia]]
|[[Primorsky Krai]]
|February 28, 1991
|-
|[[Birobidzhan]]
|{{Flagicon|RUS}}[[Russia]]
|[[Jewish Autonomous Oblast]]
|August 6, 1992（once a sister city of [[Toyosaka, Niigata|Toyosaka]], Niigata assumed the sister city honors in 2005）
|-
|[[Nantes]]
|{{Flagicon|FRA}}[[France]]
|[[Pays de la Loire]]
|January 31, 2009（shifted from friendship city since 1999）
|}
;Friendship cities
{|class="wikitable"
![[City]]!![[Country]]!![[State (polity)|State]]!!since
|-
|[[Harbin]]
|{{Flagicon|CHN}}[[China]]
|[[Heilongjiang]]
|December 17, 1979
|}
;Partnership cities
In addition, special exchange agreements have been set up with the following:{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
*{{flagdeco|UK}} [[Kingston upon Hull]], United Kingdom
*{{flagdeco|KOR}} [[Ulsan]], South Korea (since September 2007)
====National====
;Partnership cities
{|class="wikitable"
![[City]]!![[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]!![[List of regions of Japan|region]]!!since
|-
|[[Hakodate]]
|{{Flagicon|Hokkaido}}[[Oshima Subprefecture|Oshima]]
|[[Hokkaido|Hokkaidō region]]
|1993（[[Treaty_ports#Japanese_treaty_ports|Treaty ports Partnership]]）
|-
|[[Yokohama]]
|{{Flagicon|Kanagawa}}[[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]
|[[Kantō region]]
|1993（[[Treaty_ports#Japanese_treaty_ports|Treaty ports Partnership]]）
|-
|[[Kobe]]
|{{Flagicon|Hyogo}}[[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]]
|[[Kansai region]]
|1993（[[Treaty_ports#Japanese_treaty_ports|Treaty ports Partnership]]）
|-
|[[Nagasaki]]
|{{Flagicon|Nagasaki}}[[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]]
|[[Kyushu|Kyushu region]]
|1993（[[Treaty_ports#Japanese_treaty_ports|Treaty ports Partnership]]）
|-
|[[Sado, Niigata|Sado]]
|{{Flagicon|Niigata}}[[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]]
|[[Chūbu region]]
|August 1, 2008
|-
|[[Aizuwakamatsu]]
|{{Flagicon|Fukushima}}[[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
|[[Tōhoku region]]
|july 22, 2012
|-
|[[Kyoto]]
|{{Flagicon|Kyoto}}[[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]]
|[[Kansai region]]
|March 26, 2013
|}

==Education==
[[File:Niigata-u edu.jpg|thumb|right|[[Niigata University]]]]
===Colleges and universities===
*[[Niigata University]]
*[[University of Niigata Prefecture]]
*[[Niigata Seiryo University]]
*[[The Nippon Dental University]] School of Life Dentistry at Niigata
*[[Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences]]
*[[International University of Japan]]
*[[Niigata University of International and Information Studies]]
*[[Niigata University of Health and Welfare]]
*[[Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies]]
*[[College of Biomedical Technology Niigata University]]
*{{ill|Niigata Agro-Food University|ja|新潟食料農業大学}}

==Transportation==
[[File:Wachtende Shinkansen treinen in station Niigata, -17 maart 2019.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Jōetsu Shinkansen]]]]
[[File:Niigata Station Kouka Zairai 5Horm E653.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Shinetsu Main Line]]]]
[[File:Linemap of Shinetsu Main Line Niigata with Stations.svg|thumb|200px|Linemap of Shinetsu Main Line Niigata with Stations]]
[[File:Bandai City Bus Center Building Sep2021.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Bandai City|Bandai City Bus Center]]]]
[[File:Niigata Bypass NetworkMap.svg|thumb|200px|Niigata Bypass NetworkMap]]
[[File:Willow-lined Streets of Niigata.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Willow]]-lined streets of Niigata]]
{{see also|Chūō-ku, Niigata#Transportation}}
===Airways===
====Airport====
[[Niigata Airport]] is located about 6&nbsp;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), [[Naha, Okinawa|Okinawa]] (once or twice a day), [[Nagoya]] (three times a day), [[Narita Airport|Narita]] (once a day) and [[Sado, Niigata|Sado Island]] (three times a day).

Niigata Airport's international destinations are [[Harbin]] (twice a week), [[Seoul]] (five times a week), [[Shanghai]] (twice a week) and [[Vladivostok]].<ref>[http://www.niigata-airport.gr.jp/flight/?lang=en. Flight Schedule - NIIGATA AIRPORT]</ref>

===Railways===
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, Niigata|Myoko]], [[Itoigawa, Niigata|Itoigawa]], [[Akita, Akita|Akita]], [[Sakata, Yamagata|Sakata]], and [[Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima|Aizuwakamatsu]].

Niigata Kotsu Dentetsu Line and Kambara Dentetsu trains used to run through the city until the late 1990s; however, they no longer exist.

====High-Speed Rail====
;[[East Japan Railway Company]]（JR East）
*[[Jōetsu Shinkansen]]：- '''{{STN|Niigata}}'''
====Conventional lines====
;[[East Japan Railway Company]]（JR East）
*[[Shin'etsu Main Line]]：- {{STN|Niigata}}  - {{STN|Echigo-Ishiyama}} - {{STN|Kameda}} - {{STN|Ogikawa}} - {{STN|Satsukino}} - {{STN|Niitsu}} - {{STN|Furutsu}}  - {{STN|Yashiroda}}
*[[Hakushin Line]]：{{STN|Niigata}} - {{STN|Higashi-Niigata}} - {{STN| Ōgata}} - {{STN|Niizaki}} - {{STN| Hayadōri}} - {{STN|Toyosaka}} - {{STN|Kuroyama}}
*[[Echigo Line]]： {{STN|Niigata}} - {{STN|Hakusan|Niigata}} - {{STN|Sekiya|Niigata}} -  {{STN|Aoyama|Niigata}} - {{STN|Kobari}} - {{STN|Terao}} - {{STN|Niigata Daigaku-mae}} - {{STN|Uchino}} - {{STN|Uchino-Nishigaoka}} - {{STN|Echigo-Akatsuka}} - {{STN|Echigo-Sone}} - {{STN|Maki|Niigata}} - {{STN|Iwamuro}} - {{STN|Yoshida}}
===Buses===
====Transit Bus====
BRT "[[Bandai-bashi Line]]" runs through business/shopping districts in the central Niigata (Niigata Station - [[Bandai Bridge]] - [[Furumachi]] - City hall - [[Hakusan Station (Niigata)|Hakusan Station]] - Aoyama).
===Roads===
====Expressways====
*[[File:E7 Expressway (Japan).png|25px|link=|alt=E7]][[Nihonkai-Tōhoku Expressway]]
*[[File:E8 Expressway (Japan).png|25px|link=|alt=E8]][[Hokuriku Expressway]]
*[[File:E49 Expressway (Japan).png|25px|link=|alt=E49]][[Ban-etsu Expressway]]
====Japan National Route====
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|7}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|9}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|49}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|113}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|116}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|289}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|345}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|350}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|402}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|403}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|459}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|460}}
===Seaways===
====Sea port====
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 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 {{ill|the international hub ports|ja|国際拠点港湾}} 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 was formerly the [[Terminal station#Terminus|terminus]] of the [[Mangyongbong-92]] [[ferry]], one of the direct connections between Japan and [[North Korea]].
<gallery>
File:Niigata airport-japan.jpg|[[Niigata Airport]]
File:JR Niigata Station South Exit.jpg|[[Niigata Station]]
File:BRTFurumachi 201703.jpg|[[Bandai-bashi Line]] (BRT) 
File:おけさ丸2016.jpg|Port of Niigata
</gallery>

==Local attractions==
{{see also|Chūō-ku, Niigata#Local attractions}}
* [[Furumachi (Niigata)|Furumachi]], [[Bandai City]] - Downtown shopping districts
* [[Toki Messe]], [[Next21]], [[Niigata Nippo Media Ship]], {{ill|Niigata Prefectural Government Office|ja|新潟県庁舎}} - skyscrapers with observation decks
* {{ill|Nuttari Terrace|ja|沼垂テラス}}
* {{ill|Pier Bandai|ja|ピアBandai}}
* [[Niigata City History Museum]] (Minatopia)
* [[Northern Culture Museum]]
* {{ill|Marinepia Nihonkai Aquarium|ja|マリンピア日本海}}
* {{ill|Fukushimagata Lagoon Park|ja|福島潟}}
* {{ill|Iwamuro Onsen|ja|岩室温泉}}
* [[Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden]]
* Nature Aquarium Gallery<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adana.co.jp/en/gallery/ |title=Nature Aquarium Gallery official website |access-date=2012-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016095332/http://www.adana.co.jp/en/gallery/ |archive-date=2012-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="100px" perrow="3">
TOKI_MESSE.jpg|[[Toki Messe]]
Niigata-Nippo Media ship-2013.JPG|[[Niigata Nippo Media Ship]]
Nuttariterasu2013.jpg|{{ill|Nuttari Terrace|ja|沼垂テラス}}
Fukushimagata Lagoon Kataraitei 002 April2020.jpg|{{ill|Fukushimagata Lagoon Park|ja|福島潟}}
Iwamuro-onsen,Niigata-city,Niigata,Japan.jpg|{{ill|Iwamuro Onsen|ja|岩室温泉}}
</gallery>

==Culture==
[[File:Niigata geisha dancing2.jpg|thumb|200px|Niigata ''[[geigi]]'']]
[[File:Kurosaki Festival Fireworks - Aerial Video.webm|thumb|200px|thumbtime=0:42|Aerial video of Kurosaki Festival Fireworks]]
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 the Nabechaya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211012-the-niigata-geigi-japans-other-geishas|title = The Niigata Geigi: Japan's 'other' geishas}}</ref> 
===Events===
* {{ill|Niigata Festival|ja|新潟まつり}} (every August)
* {{ill|Kambara Festival|ja|蒲原まつり}}
* [[Niigata Comic Market]]
* [[Niigata Manga Competition]]
* Kurosaki Festival
===Foods===
* ''Tare [[Katsudon]]''
* ''[[Noppe]]''
* ''Kakinomoto''
* ''{{ill|Sasa Dango|ja|笹団子}}''
* {{ill|Mikazuki Italian Noodle|ja|イタリアン (新潟)|lt=''Mikazuki'' Italian Noodle}}
* ''{{ill|Assari-Shōyu Ramen|ja|新潟あっさり醤油ラーメン}}''
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="100px" perrow="3">
TareKatsudon_Matsuriya.jpg|''Tare [[Katsudon]]''
Sasadango for sale - Tokyo area - Nov 28 2019 08-21PM.jpeg|''Sasa [[Dango]]''
Chūka-soba,_Sankichiya_Nishibori-Honten,_Niigata,_Niigata,_Japan,_April_2020.jpg|''Assari-Shōyu [[Ramen]]''
</gallery>
===Sports===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!scope="col"| Club
!scope="col"| Sport
!scope="col"| League
!scope="col"| Venue
!scope="col"| Established
|-
| style="background:#ff6600;"| [[Albirex Niigata|<span style="color:blue">Albirex Niigata</span>]]
| [[Soccer|Football]]
| [[J.League]]
| [[Denka Big Swan Stadium]]
| 1955
|-
| style="background:#ff6600;"| [[Niigata Albirex BB|<span style="color:blue;">Niigata Albirex BB</span>]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[B.League]]
| [[Niigata City Higashi General Sports Center]], [[City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka]], [[Toki Messe]]
| 2000
|-
| style="background:#ff6600;"| [[Albirex Niigata Ladies|<span style="color:blue">Albirex Niigata Ladies</span>]]
| [[Women's association football|Women's soccer]]
| [[WE League|WE.League]]
| [[Niigata Athletic Stadium]]
| 2002
|-
| style="background:#ff6600;"| [[Niigata Albirex Baseball Club|<span style="color:blue">Niigata Albirex Baseball Club</span>]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[Baseball Challenge League|BC.League]]
| [[Niigata Prefectural Baseball Stadium]]
| 2005
|}

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Bigswan080628.JPG|[[Denka Big Swan Stadium]]
File:Niigata east sports center.jpg|[[Niigata City Higashi General Sports Center]]
File:Niigata city land sports stadium.jpg|[[Niigata Athletic Stadium]]
File:HARD OFF ECOスタジアム新潟 バックネット裏より - panoramio.jpg|[[Niigata Prefectural Baseball Stadium]]
</gallery>

==Notable people from Niigata==
===Artists and writers===
*[[Yaichi Aizu]], poet, calligrapher, and historian
*{{ill|Koichi Endo|ja|えんどコイチ}} manga artist
*[[Shu Fujisawa]], writer
*[[Makoto Kobayashi (artist)|Makoto Kobayashi]], [[Mangaka|manga artist]]
*{{ill|Mineo Maya|ja|魔夜峰央}} manga artist
*[[Shinji Mizushima]], manga artist
*[[Tadashi Nakayama (artist)|Tadashi Nakayama]], contemporary woodblock artist
*[[Takeshi Obata]], manga artist
*[[One (manga artist)|One]], manga artist
*[[Ango Sakaguchi]], author
*[[Rumiko Takahashi]], manga artist

===Actors and voice actors===
*[[Fumika Baba]], actress
*[[Mina Fujii]], actress
*[[Toshihito Ito]], actor
*[[Masashi Mikami]], actor
*[[Bin Shimada]], voice actor
*[[Keiko Yokozawa]], voice actor

===Musicians===
*[[Double (singer)|Double]], singer
*[[Yoko Ishida]], singer
*[[Kazuya Kato]], bassist
*[[Katsutaro Kouta]], singer
*[[Közi]], guitarist ([[Malice Mizer]] and [[Eve of Destiny]])
*[[NGT48]], idol group
*[[Rina Sawayama]], singer-songwriter and model
*[[Akira Yamaoka]], composer
*[[ samfree]], vocaloid music composer

===Others===
*[[Takashi Amano (aquarist)|Takashi Amano]], professional aquarist and track cyclist
*[[Kunio Maekawa]], architect
*[[Sanada (wrestler)|SANADA]] (Seiya Sanada), professional wrestler
*[[Tadao Sato]], film critic and film theorist
*[[Megumi Sato (athlete)|Megumi Sato]], high jumper
*[[Meiko Satomura]], professional wrestler
*[[Yujiro Takahashi]], professional wrestler
*[[Megumi Yokota]], abduction victim<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26607446 |title=North Korea abductee: Japan parents meet grand-daughter - BBC News |work=BBC News |date=17 March 2014 |access-date=2015-04-08}}</ref>
*[[Yutakayama Ryota]], sumo wrestler<ref>{{cite web | title=Yutakayama Rikishi Information | publisher=Sumo Reference |url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=12292&l=e|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Cite NIE|wstitle=Niigata|year=1905 |short=x}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Niigata (city)}}
*[http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Navboxes
|list  =
{{Niigata}}
{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{JPLargestMetros}}
{{Most populous cities in Japan}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Niigata (City)}}
[[Category:Niigata (city)| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]]
[[Category:Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan]]