Myōkō, Niigata

Myōkō 妙高市
City
Flag
Location of Myōkō in Niigata Prefecture
Myōkō Location in Japan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
Prefecture	Niigata Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Akira Nyumura (since November 2006)
Area
• Total	445.52 km2 (172.02 sq mi)
Population (February 1, 2012)
• Total	35,835
• Density	80.43/km2 (208.3/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Fagus crenata
• Flower	Glaucidium palmatum
• Bird	Cyanoptila cyanomolana
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address	5-1 Sakaemachi, Myoko-shi, Niigata-ken 944-8686
Website	www.city.myoko.niigata.jp

Myōkō (妙高市, Myōkō-shi) is a city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on the border of Nagano Prefecture. It lies in mountain surroundings near the historical entrance to the Echigo Plains.

As of February 1, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 35,835, with 12,286 households and a population density of 80.43 persons per km². The total area is 445.52 km².

Myōkō is the result of a merger of three municipalities. The major one was the city of Arai (新井市 Arai-shi). Arai absorbed the town of Myōkōkōgen, and the village of Myōkō (both from Nakakubiki District), and took the name Myōkō on April 1, 2005. Its name comes from the mountain which dominates the area. Mount Myōkō is listed as one of the hundred most famous mountains in Japan with its summit recorded as 2,454 metres (8,051 feet) above sea level.

The former city of Arai was founded on November 1, 1954. The current mayor is Akira Nyumura, who elected by November 2006, and the former Arai mayor was elected in November 2002.

Activities

The city is surrounded by five mountains. Madarao, Myōkō, Kurohime, Togakushi and Iizuna are collectively known as the Five Peaks of Northern Shinano (Hokushingogaku). They make up the border of Nagano and Niigata Prefectures.

Myōkōkōgen and the former village of Myōkō are famed for their ski resorts. The first of these, Akakura, was founded in the 1930s, making it one of the oldest established ski areas in the world. It is also a traditional mountain retreat of Japan's imperial family. The Myōkō Ski Area has nine main mountain resorts: Myōkō Akakura, Ikenotaira Onsen, Myōkō Suginohara (which boasts the longest ski run in Japan), Seki Onsen, Kyukamura, Myōkō Ski Park, APA resort Myōkō Pine Valley, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus.

Myōkō Kōgen is also well known for its many local onsen (hot springs) emanating from the Jigoku-dani valley between Mts. Myōkō and Mae.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Twin towns — Sister cities

Myōkō is twinned with:

• Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia

External links

• (Japanese)
• The English-language website of the Myoko Tourist Office (covering the ski resort and hot spring areas of the city)
• Explore the Heart of Japan (English tourism guide for the area)