Myōkō, Niigata

Myōkō 妙高市
—  City  —
Flag
Location of Myōkō in Niigata
Myōkō
Coordinates: 37°2′N 138°15′E / 37.033°N 138.25°E / 37.033; 138.25Coordinates: 37°2′N 138°15′E / 37.033°N 138.25°E / 37.033; 138.25
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
Prefecture	Niigata
Area
– Total	445.52 km2 (172 sq mi)
Population (2005)
– Total	38,899
– Density	87.3/km2 (226.1/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website	City of Myōkō

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

As of 2005^[update], the city has an estimated population of 38,899 and the density of 87.31 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 merged with 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 meters above sea level.

The former city of Arai was founded on November 1, 1954.

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.^[1]

Myōkō Kōgen is also well known for its many local onsen (hot springs) emanating from the Jigoku-dani valley between Mts. Myōkō and Mae.^[2]

References

1. ^ Myoko Kogen: Explore the Heart of Japan - ski
2. ^ Myoko Kogen: Explore the Heart of Japan - onsen

External links

Media related to Myōkō, Niigata at Wikimedia Commons

• Myōkō official website (Japanese)
• The English-language website of the Myoko Tourist Office (covering the ski resort and hot spring areas of the city)
• The Japanese version of the above.
• Myōkō Kōgen, Ski the Heart of Japan A Myoko ski guide and forum for skiers and snowboarders (in English)