Uonuma, Niigata

Uonuma 魚沼市
City
Flag of Uonuma Flag
Location of Uonuma in Niigata Prefecture Location of Uonuma in Niigata Prefecture
Uonuma Location in Japan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
Prefecture	Niigata Prefecture
Area
• Total	946.93 km2 (365.61 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2009)
• Total	41,894
• Density	44/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website	www.city.uonuma.niigata.jp

Uonuma (魚沼市, Uonuma-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

As of January 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 41,894 and a population density of 44 persons per km². The total area is 946.93 km².

It is famous for its rice – the koshihikari rice grown in Uonuma is the most sought-after and most expensive rice in Japan. This fame is due to the ideal growing conditions in the area.

The modern city of Uonuma was established on November 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Horinouchi and Koide, and the villages of Hirokami, Irihirose, Sumon and Yunotani (all from Kitauonuma District).

File:コシヒカリの値段.jpg

Uonuma is the most famous region for Koshihikari rice. In this example, the Uonuma rice (right, 1840 Yen for 2kg) commands a 60% premium over koshihikari rice from a different region (left, Hakui, 1140 Yen for 2kg).

Notable natives

• Ken Watanabe, actor in many Japanese and American productions.
• Shuji Miya, poet
• Sohachi Yamaoka, novelist
• Tsuneo Ikeda, journalist

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• Uonuma City official website (Japanese)