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Coordinates: 37°2′20.5″N 137°51′45.6″E / 37.039028°N 137.862667°E / 37.039028; 137.862667
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{{More citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox City Japan
{{Infobox settlement
|Name= Itoigawa
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
|JapaneseName= 糸魚川市
| name = Itoigawa
|MapImage= Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture.png
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|糸魚川市}}}}
|Region= [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Hokuriku region|Hokuriku]], [[Kōshin'etsu region|Kōshin'etsu]])
| official_name =
|Prefecture= [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]]
| native_name_lang = ja
|District=
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
|Area_km2= 746.24
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
|PopDate= January 2008
| image_skyline = Itoigawa Montage.jpg
|Population= 48,653
| imagesize =
|Density_km2= 65.2
| image_alt =
|Coords=
| image_caption = <table style="width:280px;margin:2px auto; border-collapse: collapse">
|LatitudeDegrees= 37
<tr><td colspan="2">Hisui Kaigan ("Jade Beach"</tr>
|LatitudeMinutes= 2
<tr><td rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:middle">Oya-shirazu<td>Lake Takanami & Mt Myojo</tr>
|LatitudeSeconds=
<tr><td>Charmant Hiuchi Snow Resort</tr></table>
|LongtitudeDegrees= 137
| image_flag = Flag of Itoigawa, Niigata.svg
|LongtitudeMinutes= 52
| flag_alt =
|LongtitudeSeconds=
| image_seal = Emblem of Itoigawa, Niigata.svg
|Tree= Sasayuri <small>([[Lilium]] japonicum)</small>
| seal_alt =
|Flower= [[Ume]]
| image_shield =
|Bird=
| shield_alt =
|SymbolImage= Flag of Itoigawa, Niigata.png
| image_blank_emblem =
|SymbolDescription= Flag
| nickname =
|Mayor= [[Tōru Yoneda]]
| motto =
|CityHallPostalCode=941-8501
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
|CityHallAddress= 1-2-5 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata-ken
| image_map = Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture Ja.svg
|CityHallPhone= 025-552-1511
| map_alt =
|CityHallLink= [http://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/ City of Itoigawa]
| map_caption = Location of Itoigawa in Niigata
| 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|2|20.5|N|137|51|45.6|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|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 = First official recorded
| established_date = 100 AD
| established_title2 = City settled
| established_date2 = June 1, 1954
| 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 = Tōru Yoneda (since April 2005)
| 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 = 746.24
| 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 = 38224
| population_as_of = September 1, 2024
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = <!-- demonym, ie. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
<!-- 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 = Symbols
| blank_info_sec1 = &nbsp;
| blank1_name_sec1 = • Tree
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Fagus crenata|Siebold's beech]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = • Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Lilium|Lilium japonicum]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = • Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Common kingfisher]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = • Stone
| blank4_info_sec1 = [[Jade]]
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_info_sec2 = 025-552-1511
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = 1-2-5 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata-ken 941-8501
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank2_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/}}
| footnotes =
}}
}}
[[File:Tsutsuishi 2.jpg|thumb|Tsutsuishi city scape]]
[[File:Tsutsuishi funaya.jpg|thumb|Tsutsuishi funaya]]


{{Nihongo|'''Itoigawa'''|糸魚川市|Itoigawa-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Niigata Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2024|09|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 38,224 living in 17,028 households, and a [[population density]] of 51 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city is {{convert|746.24|sqkm|sqmi}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp|title=Itoigawa official statistics|date=1 January 2021|publisher=Itoigawa City|access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref>
[[File:糸魚川市役所.JPG|thumb|Itoigawa city office, December 2009]]
{{nihongo|'''Itoigawa'''|糸魚川市|Itoigawa-shi}} is a [[cities of Japan|city]] located in rustic southern [[Niigata Prefecture]], [[Japan]].


==Geography==
As of 2008, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 48,653 and the [[population density|density]] of 65.2 persons per km². The total area is 746.24 km².
Itoigawa is located in the far southwestern corner of Niigata Prefecture, bordered by the [[Sea of Japan]] to the north, [[Nagano Prefecture]] to the south, and [[Toyama Prefecture]] to the west. Parts of the city are within the borders of the [[Chūbu-Sangaku National Park]] or the [[Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park]]. Itoigawa is also famous for its jade which can be found on local beaches. Itoigawa also lends its name to the [[Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line]], a major [[fault (geology)|fault]] that runs from Itoigawa, through [[Lake Suwa]] to the city of [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka]] in [[Shizuoka Prefecture]], forming the western border of the [[Fossa Magna]].


===Surrounding municipalities===
The city was founded on June 1, 1954. On April 1, 2005 Itoigawa absorbed the towns of [[Nō, Niigata|Nō]] and [[Ōmi, Niigata|Ōmi]], both from [[Nishikubiki District, Niigata|Nishikubiki District]].
*[[Nagano Prefecture]]
**[[Hakuba, Nagano|Hakuba]]
**[[Otari, Nagano|Otari]]
*[[Niigata Prefecture]]
**[[Jōetsu, Niigata|Jōetsu]]
**[[Myōkō, Niigata|Myōkō]]
*[[Toyama Prefecture]]
**[[Asahi, Toyama|Asahi]]


===Climate===
Historically Itoigawa lies at the end of the famous ''shio no michi'' (salt road) that supplied salt to ancient Edo ([[Tokyo]]) via [[Nagano]]. In 2011 the city will be a main stop on the new [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]] [[shinkansen|bullet train]] line, bringing Tokyo within approximately three hours travelling. Itoigawa is also famous for its jade which can be found on local beaches.
Itoigawa has a [[Humid subtropical climate|Humid climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Itoigawa is {{convert|14.4|°C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|2901.5|mm}} with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{convert|26.6|°C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{convert|3.6|°C}}.<ref name=normals/> In addition, Itoigawa has the highest record warm daily minimum in Japan, at {{convert|31.4|°C}} on August 10, 2023.<ref>[https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rankall.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0539&year=&month=&day=&view=h0 最高気温の低い方から (各地点の観測史上1位の値を使ってランキングを作成)]</ref>


{{Weather box
Itoigawa is also well known for its unique ''bugaku'', a variety of [[gagaku|traditional Japanese performance art]]. Itoigawa Bugaku can be seen at festivals taking place at Hakusan Shrine and Amatsu Shrine, and has been nationally designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|location = Itoigawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 17.5
|Feb record high C = 23.6
|Mar record high C = 26.0
|Apr record high C = 30.7
|May record high C = 31.8
|Jun record high C = 34.7
|Jul record high C = 37.2
|Aug record high C = 39.3
|Sep record high C = 37.6
|Oct record high C = 35.1
|Nov record high C = 27.0
|Dec record high C = 23.5
|year record high C =
|Jan high C = 7.0
|Feb high C = 7.4
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 16.3
|May high C = 21.2
|Jun high C = 23.4
|Jul high C = 28.5
|Aug high C = 30.3
|Sep high C = 26.6
|Oct high C = 21.3
|Nov high C = 15.7
|Dec high C = 10.2
|year high C = 18.3
|Jan mean C = 3.6
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 6.7
|Apr mean C = 11.8
|May mean C = 16.8
|Jun mean C = 20.7
|Jul mean C = 25.0
|Aug mean C = 26.6
|Sep mean C = 22.8
|Oct mean C = 17.3
|Nov mean C = 11.6
|Dec mean C = 6.5
|year mean C = 14.4
|Jan low C = 0.9
|Feb low C = 0.7
|Mar low C = 2.9
|Apr low C = 7.6
|May low C = 12.9
|Jun low C = 17.7
|Jul low C = 22.3
|Aug low C = 23.6
|Sep low C = 19.7
|Oct low C = 14.0
|Nov low C = 8.2
|Dec low C = 3.4
|year low C = 11.2
|Jan record low C = &minus;5.3
|Feb record low C = &minus;5.2
|Mar record low C = &minus;3.1
|Apr record low C = &minus;1.3
|May record low C = 5.1
|Jun record low C = 10.7
|Jul record low C = 15.4
|Aug record low C = 17.2
|Sep record low C = 11.4
|Oct record low C = 4.8
|Nov record low C = 0.8
|Dec record low C = &minus;4.2
|year record low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 354.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 225.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 204.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 135.1
|May precipitation mm = 120.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 168.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 237.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 223.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 251.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 232.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 341.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 407.4
|year precipitation mm = 2901.5
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 24.8
|Feb precipitation days = 19.8
|Mar precipitation days = 18.9
|Apr precipitation days = 13.2
|May precipitation days = 11.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.8
|Jul precipitation days = 14.2
|Aug precipitation days = 11.7
|Sep precipitation days = 14.0
|Oct precipitation days = 15.2
|Nov precipitation days = 19.1
|Dec precipitation days = 23.4
|Jan sun = 52.9
|Feb sun = 85.2
|Mar sun = 135.4
|Apr sun = 178.8
|May sun = 205.3
|Jun sun = 160.4
|Jul sun = 159.2
|Aug sun = 195.2
|Sep sun = 138.9
|Oct sun = 133.9
|Nov sun = 99.7
|Dec sun = 66.6
|year sun = 1611.5
|source 1 = 理科年表
|source 2 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref name=normals>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0539&year=&month=&day=&view=
| title = 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| access-date = 2012-08-10
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0539&year=&month=&day=&view=
| title = 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| access-date = 2012-08-10
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency}}</ref>
<!--Infobox ends-->
}}


==Demographics==
The poet Ryokan (1758-1831) writes that Itoigawa is his former village. <ref> One Robe, One Bowl; the Zen poetry of Ryokan. transl. John Stevens. 9th Ed. John Weatherhill, Inc., Tokyo. 1988.</ref>
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-niigata.php Itoigawa population statistics]</ref> the population of Itoigawa has declined steadily over the past 70 years and is now less than it was a century ago.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 58,580
| 1930 | 63,103
| 1940 | 64,019
| 1950 | 78,727
| 1960 | 77,641
| 1970 | 67,785
| 1980 | 61,488
| 1990 | 56,803
| 2000 | 53,021
| 2010 | 47,702
| 2020 | 40,765
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==History==
The area of present-day Itoigawa was part of ancient [[Echigo Province]]. Historically, Itoigawa lies at the end of the ''shio no michi'' (salt road) that supplied salt from the Sea of Japan to [[Edo]] via [[Shinano Province]]. During the [[Edo period]], Itoigawa was the [[jōkamachi|castle town]] for [[Itoigawa Domain]]. After the [[Meiji restoration]], with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, Itoigawa became a town within [[Nishikubiki District, Niigata]].

The modern city was created on June 1, 1954 when the former town of Itoigawa absorbed the villages of Uramoto, Shimohayakawa, Kamihayakawa, Yamatogawa, Saikai, Ōno (Daino), Nechi and Kotati (Otaki) to elevate city status. On April 1, 2005, the towns of [[Nō, Niigata|Nō]] and [[Ōmi, Niigata|Ōmi]] (both from [[Nishikubiki District, Niigata|Nishikubiki District]]) were merged into Itoigawa.

===Oldest known jadeite-using culture===
A great many [[jadeite]] beads and axe heads as well as the remains of jadeite workshops from the [[Neolithic era]] have been uncovered in Itoigawa. These beads and axes were traded throughout Japan and the Korean Peninsula and were produced by the world's oldest known jadeite-using culture, centered on the Itoigawa region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tateshinakougen.gr.jp/jomon/kijima|script-title=ja:翡翠製大珠の加工と流通|last=Kijima|first=Tsutomu|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/7634520|title=International Jomon Culture Conference Bulletin 1 2004 (English version)|access-date=2016-06-30|last1=Pearson |first1=Richard }}</ref>

==Government==
Itoigawa has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 20 members. Itoigawa contributes one member to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of [[Niigata 6th district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
[[Commercial fishing]] and the production of [[limestone]] and cement are the mainstays of the local economy.

==Education==
Itoigawa has 14 public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Bureau of Education. The city and prefecture also operate one special education school each for the handicapped.

==Transportation==
===Railway===
[[File:Shinkansen jrw.svg|15px]] – [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]]
*{{STN|Itoigawa}}
[[File:JR logo (west).svg|20px]] [[JR West]] - [[Ōito Line]]
*{{STN|Hiraiwa}} - {{STN|Kotaki}} - {{STN|Nechi}} - {{STN|Kubiki-Ōno}} - {{STN|Himekawa|Niigata}} - {{STN|Itoigawa}}
[[File:Echigo-TOKImeki logomark.svg|25px]] [[Echigo Tokimeki Railway]] - [[Nihonkai Hisui Line]]
*{{STN|Ichiburi}} - {{STN|Oyashirazu}} - {{STN|Ōmi|Niigata}} - [[Itoigawa Station|Itoigawa]] - {{STN|Kajiyashiki}} - {{STN|Uramoto}} - {{STN|Nō}} - {{STN|Tsutsuishi}}
[[File:Ainokaze Toyama Railway logo.png|25px]] [[Ainokaze Toyama Railway]]
*{{STN|Ichiburi}}

===Highway===
* [[file:JP Expressway E8.svg|20px]] [[Hokuriku Expressway]] – Oyashirazu IC, Itoigawa IC, Nō IC
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|49}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|290}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|8}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|148}}

==Local attractions==
* The entire territory of Itoigawa is "Itoigawa Global [[Geopark]]" which is a member of the [[Japanese Geoparks Network]] and [[Global Geoparks Network]] on account of its outstanding geological heritage, educational programs and projects, and promotion of [[geotourism]].<ref>[http://www.geo-itoigawa.com/eng/ Itoigawa Global Geopark]</ref>
*The city is known for its distinctive black-colored [[yakisoba]].<ref>Trautlein, Steve, "[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fg20120824st.html The chow-down tour of Kanto's local dishes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927231513/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fg20120824st.html |date=2012-09-27 }}", ''[[Japan Times]]'', 24 August 2012, p. 15</ref>
* Itoigawa is also known for its unique ''bugaku'', a variety of [[gagaku|traditional Japanese performance art]]. Itoigawa Bugaku can be seen at festivals taking place at Hakusan Shrine and Amatsu Shrine, and has been nationally designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.

===National Historic Sites===
*[[Chōjagahara Site]], Jōmon period archaeological site
*[[Matsumoto Kaidō]], ancient highway
*[[Terachi Site]], Jōmon period archaeological site

==Notable people from Itoigawa==
{{Main category|People from Itoigawa, Niigata}}
* [[Hideki Hosaka]], [[Puroresu|Japanese professional wrestler]] (known for his work in [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]], [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]], and [[Pro Wrestling Zero-One]])
* The poet [[Ryōkan]] (1758-1831) writes that Itoigawa is his former village.<ref>One Robe, One Bowl; the Zen poetry of Ryokan. transl. John Stevens. 9th Ed. John Weatherhill, Inc., Tokyo. 1988.</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<References/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/ Itoigawa official website] {{ja icon}}
*[http://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.klarbooks.com/mmiat/ My Mother is a Tractor] - a book written by a former English teacher in the area


{{Niigata}}
{{Niigata}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Itoigawa, Niigata| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:Global Geoparks Network members]]

[[Category:Geoparks in Japan]]

[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
{{Niigata-geo-stub}}

[[de:Itoigawa]]
[[fa:ایتویی‌گاوا، نیگاتا]]
[[gl:Itoigawa]]
[[ko:이토이가와 시]]
[[it:Itoigawa]]
[[nl:Itoigawa]]
[[ja:糸魚川市]]
[[pl:Itoigawa]]
[[pt:Itoigawa]]
[[ro:Itoigawa, Niigata]]
[[ru:Итоигава]]
[[tl:Itoigawa, Niigata]]
[[tg:Итоигава]]
[[uk:Ітоїґава]]
[[vi:Itoigawa, Niigata]]
[[war:Itoigawa, Niigata]]
[[zh:糸魚川市]]

Latest revision as of 16:29, 5 October 2024

Itoigawa
糸魚川市
City
Hisui Kaigan ("Jade Beach" Oya-shirazu Lake Takanami & Mt Myojo Charmant Hiuchi Snow Resort
Hisui Kaigan ("Jade Beach"
Oya-shirazuLake Takanami & Mt Myojo
Charmant Hiuchi Snow Resort
Flag of Itoigawa
Flag
Official seal of Itoigawa
Seal
Location of Itoigawa in Niigata
Location of Itoigawa in Niigata
Itoigawa is located in Japan
Itoigawa
Itoigawa
 
Coordinates: 37°2′20.5″N 137°51′45.6″E / 37.039028°N 137.862667°E / 37.039028; 137.862667
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
PrefectureNiigata
First official recorded100 AD
City settledJune 1, 1954
Government
 • MayorTōru Yoneda (since April 2005)
Area
 • Total
746.24 km2 (288.12 sq mi)
Population
 (September 1, 2024)
 • Total
38,224
 • Density51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeSiebold's beech
• FlowerLilium japonicum
• BirdCommon kingfisher
• StoneJade
Phone number025-552-1511
Address1-2-5 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata-ken 941-8501
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Tsutsuishi city scape
Tsutsuishi funaya

Itoigawa (糸魚川市, Itoigawa-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 September 2024, the city had an estimated population of 38,224 living in 17,028 households, and a population density of 51 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 746.24 square kilometres (288.12 sq mi).[1]

Geography

[edit]

Itoigawa is located in the far southwestern corner of Niigata Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the north, Nagano Prefecture to the south, and Toyama Prefecture to the west. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park or the Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park. Itoigawa is also famous for its jade which can be found on local beaches. Itoigawa also lends its name to the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, a major fault that runs from Itoigawa, through Lake Suwa to the city of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture, forming the western border of the Fossa Magna.

Surrounding municipalities

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

Itoigawa has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Itoigawa is 14.4 °C (57.9 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,901.5 mm (114.23 in) with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.6 °C (79.9 °F), and lowest in January, at around 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).[2] In addition, Itoigawa has the highest record warm daily minimum in Japan, at 31.4 °C (88.5 °F) on August 10, 2023.[3]

Climate data for Itoigawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.5
(63.5) 		23.6
(74.5) 		26.0
(78.8) 		30.7
(87.3) 		31.8
(89.2) 		34.7
(94.5) 		37.2
(99.0) 		39.3
(102.7) 		37.6
(99.7) 		35.1
(95.2) 		27.0
(80.6) 		23.5
(74.3) 		39.3
(102.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.0
(44.6) 		7.4
(45.3) 		10.9
(51.6) 		16.3
(61.3) 		21.2
(70.2) 		23.4
(74.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		30.3
(86.5) 		26.6
(79.9) 		21.3
(70.3) 		15.7
(60.3) 		10.2
(50.4) 		18.3
(64.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.6
(38.5) 		3.8
(38.8) 		6.7
(44.1) 		11.8
(53.2) 		16.8
(62.2) 		20.7
(69.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		26.6
(79.9) 		22.8
(73.0) 		17.3
(63.1) 		11.6
(52.9) 		6.5
(43.7) 		14.4
(57.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.9
(33.6) 		0.7
(33.3) 		2.9
(37.2) 		7.6
(45.7) 		12.9
(55.2) 		17.7
(63.9) 		22.3
(72.1) 		23.6
(74.5) 		19.7
(67.5) 		14.0
(57.2) 		8.2
(46.8) 		3.4
(38.1) 		11.2
(52.2)
Record low °C (°F) −5.3
(22.5) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		5.1
(41.2) 		10.7
(51.3) 		15.4
(59.7) 		17.2
(63.0) 		11.4
(52.5) 		4.8
(40.6) 		0.8
(33.4) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−5.3
(22.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 354.8
(13.97) 		225.5
(8.88) 		204.5
(8.05) 		135.1
(5.32) 		120.5
(4.74) 		168.0
(6.61) 		237.8
(9.36) 		223.3
(8.79) 		251.4
(9.90) 		232.4
(9.15) 		341.0
(13.43) 		407.4
(16.04) 		2,901.5
(114.23)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 24.8 19.8 18.9 13.2 11.4 11.8 14.2 11.7 14.0 15.2 19.1 23.4 197.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 52.9 85.2 135.4 178.8 205.3 160.4 159.2 195.2 138.9 133.9 99.7 66.6 1,611.5
Source 1: 理科年表
Source 2: Japan Meteorological Agency[2][4]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Itoigawa has declined steadily over the past 70 years and is now less than it was a century ago.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 58,580—    
1930 63,103+7.7%
1940 64,019+1.5%
1950 78,727+23.0%
1960 77,641−1.4%
1970 67,785−12.7%
1980 61,488−9.3%
1990 56,803−7.6%
2000 53,021−6.7%
2010 47,702−10.0%
2020 40,765−14.5%

History

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The area of present-day Itoigawa was part of ancient Echigo Province. Historically, Itoigawa lies at the end of the shio no michi (salt road) that supplied salt from the Sea of Japan to Edo via Shinano Province. During the Edo period, Itoigawa was the castle town for Itoigawa Domain. After the Meiji restoration, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, Itoigawa became a town within Nishikubiki District, Niigata.

The modern city was created on June 1, 1954 when the former town of Itoigawa absorbed the villages of Uramoto, Shimohayakawa, Kamihayakawa, Yamatogawa, Saikai, Ōno (Daino), Nechi and Kotati (Otaki) to elevate city status. On April 1, 2005, the towns of Nō and Ōmi (both from Nishikubiki District) were merged into Itoigawa.

Oldest known jadeite-using culture

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A great many jadeite beads and axe heads as well as the remains of jadeite workshops from the Neolithic era have been uncovered in Itoigawa. These beads and axes were traded throughout Japan and the Korean Peninsula and were produced by the world's oldest known jadeite-using culture, centered on the Itoigawa region.[6][7]

Government

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Itoigawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 20 members. Itoigawa contributes one member to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Commercial fishing and the production of limestone and cement are the mainstays of the local economy.

Education

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Itoigawa has 14 public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Bureau of Education. The city and prefecture also operate one special education school each for the handicapped.

Transportation

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Railway

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– Hokuriku Shinkansen

JR West - Ōito Line

Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Nihonkai Hisui Line

Ainokaze Toyama Railway

Highway

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Local attractions

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  • The entire territory of Itoigawa is "Itoigawa Global Geopark" which is a member of the Japanese Geoparks Network and Global Geoparks Network on account of its outstanding geological heritage, educational programs and projects, and promotion of geotourism.[8]
  • The city is known for its distinctive black-colored yakisoba.[9]
  • Itoigawa is also known for its unique bugaku, a variety of traditional Japanese performance art. Itoigawa Bugaku can be seen at festivals taking place at Hakusan Shrine and Amatsu Shrine, and has been nationally designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.

National Historic Sites

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Notable people from Itoigawa

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Main category: People from Itoigawa, Niigata

References

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  1. ^ "Itoigawa official statistics". Itoigawa City. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "平年値（年・月ごとの値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  3. ^ 最高気温の低い方から (各地点の観測史上1位の値を使ってランキングを作成)
  4. ^ "観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  5. ^ Itoigawa population statistics
  6. ^ Kijima, Tsutomu. 翡翠製大珠の加工と流通 (in Japanese).
  7. ^ Pearson, Richard. "International Jomon Culture Conference Bulletin 1 2004 (English version)". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  8. ^ Itoigawa Global Geopark
  9. ^ Trautlein, Steve, "The chow-down tour of Kanto's local dishes Archived 2012-09-27 at the Wayback Machine", Japan Times, 24 August 2012, p. 15
  10. ^ One Robe, One Bowl; the Zen poetry of Ryokan. transl. John Stevens. 9th Ed. John Weatherhill, Inc., Tokyo. 1988.
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