Joetsu, Niigata
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Jōetsu (上越市; -shi) is a city located in Niigata, Japan.
As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 212,273 and the density of 218.25 persons per km². The total area is 972.62 km².
The city was founded on April 29, 1971, after the cities of Takada and Naoetsu were consolidated.
The city absorbed Maki, Oshima, Uragawara, Yasuzuka, Itakura, Kakizaki, Kiyosato, Kubiki, Nakagou, Ogata, Sanwa, Yoshikawa and Nadachi on January 1, 2005.
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Climate
It is known as one of the most snowy districts in Japan, and it has the record of the largest snowfall in Japan (3.77m in February 26, 1945).
History
It was the ancient capital of Echigo Province. Around the Sengoku period, Kasugayama Castle was a significant base for daimyo such as Uesugi Kenshin.
Maejima Hisoka, a Meiji era politician who is regarded as the father of the Japanese postal system, was born here. Theodor von Lerch, an Austrian major who visited the army base in Joetsu after the Russo-Japanese War, introduced skiing to Japan for the first time.
Transportation
Railway
Japan Railway runs the Hokuriku Main Line and the Shinetsu Main Line in the city. Hokuetsu Express connects the city to Tokyo metropolitan area. Hokuriku Shinkansen is under construction. Note that Joetsu Shinkansen is not related to the city.
Expressway
Hokuriku Expressway goes through the city. Joshinetsu Expressway branches off at the Joetsu Junction.
External link
- Official website (http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/) in Japanese
- Official website (http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/english/contents.html) in English