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Coordinates: 37°8′52.3″N 138°14′9.9″E / 37.147861°N 138.236083°E / 37.147861; 138.236083
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{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = {{raise|0.2em|Jōetsu}}
| name = Jōetsu
| official_name =
| official_name =
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|上越市}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|上越市}}}}
| settlement_type = [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
| settlement_type = [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]]
| image_skyline = View of Takada Area in Jōetsu.jpg
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Takada Castle Cherry Blossom Festival.jpg
| photo2a = Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari.jpg
| photo2b = 6 Motoshirochō, Jōetsu-shi, Niigata-ken 943-0835, Japan - panoramio.jpg
| photo3a = Linsenji 1.jpg
| photo3b = Takada_Daishi_Bank.jpg
| size = 280
| color_border = ffffff
| color = cccccc
| position = center
}}
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Sunrise over Takada
| image_caption = <table style="width:280px;margin:2px auto; border-collapse: collapse">
<tr><td colspan="2">[[Takada Castle]] Park and sakura</tr>
<tr><td>Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari<td>Gokuraku Bridge at Takada Castle</tr>
<tr><td>Rinsen-ji<td>former No.139 National Bank Building</tr>
</table>
| image_flag = Flag of Joetsu, Niigata.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Joetsu, Niigata.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
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| established_title = First official recorded
| established_title = First official recorded
| established_date = 702 AD
| established_date = 702 AD
| established_title2 = Takada city Settled
| established_title2 = Takada city established
| established_date2 = September 1, 1911
| established_date2 = September 1, 1911
| established_title3 = Naoetsu city Settled
| established_title3 = Naoetsu city established
| established_date3 = June 1, 1954
| established_date3 = June 1, 1954
| established_title4 = Two cities merged and current name date
| established_title4 = Two cities merged and current name date
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<!-- population -->
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 191831
| population_total = 189430
| population_as_of = July 1, 2019
| population_as_of = December 1, 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
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| area_code =
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = Symbols
| blank_info_sec1 = 025-526-5111
| blank_info_sec1 = &nbsp;
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = 1-1-3 Kida, Jōetsu-shi, Niigata-ken 943-8601
| blank1_name_sec1 = • Tree
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Sakura]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = • Flower
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Camellia]]
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = 025-526-5111
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = 1-1-3 Kida, Jōetsu-shi, Niigata-ken 943-8601
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp}}
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp}}
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Sakura]]
| flower = [[Camellia]]
| bird =
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
[[File:Takadajyo 1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Takada Castle]]]]
[[File:Takadajyo 1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Takada Castle]]]]
[[File:Sakaki Shrine.jpg|thumb|Sakaki Shrine]]
[[File:Sakaki Shrine.jpg|thumb|Sakaki Shrine]]
[[File:Iwanohara Vineyard.jpg|thumb|One of the oldest wineries in Japan and home to the grape Muscat Bailey A]]
[[File:Iwanohara Vineyard.jpg|thumb|One of the oldest wineries in Japan and home to the grape Muscat Bailey A]]
[[File:View of Takada Area in Jōetsu.jpg|right|thumb|Sunrise over Takada]]


{{Nihongo|'''Jōetsu'''|上越市|Jōetsu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Niigata Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2019|07|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 191,831, in 75,400 households<ref>{http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/shiminka/jinko.html Jōetsu city official statistics] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> with a [[population density]] of 197 persons per km². The total area of the city was {{convert|973.81|sqkm|sqmi}}. Jōetsu borders the [[Sea of Japan]] and is renowned for its abundance of snow, the annual cherry-blossom festival, ''[[sake]]'' and ''[[Koshihikari]]'' rice.
{{Nihongo|'''Jōetsu'''|上越市|Jōetsu-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Niigata Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|12|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 189,430, in 76,461 households<ref>http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/shiminka/jinko.html Jōetsu city official statistics] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> with a [[population density]] of 190 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city was {{convert|973.81|sqkm|sqmi}}. Jōetsu borders the [[Sea of Japan]] and is renowned for its abundance of snow, the annual cherry-blossom festival, ''[[sake]]'' and ''[[Koshihikari]]'' rice.


==Geography==
==Geography==
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*Kasugayama - formerly the location of [[Kasugayama Castle]], home of the [[Sengoku period]] ''[[daimyō]]'', [[Uesugi Kenshin]]
*Kasugayama - formerly the location of [[Kasugayama Castle]], home of the [[Sengoku period]] ''[[daimyō]]'', [[Uesugi Kenshin]]
*Kanayasan - birthplace of skiing in Japan
*Kanayasan - birthplace of skiing in Japan
*Yoneyama - a sacred mountain on the border of Joetsu and neighboring Kashiwazaki City.
*Yoneyama - a sacred mountain on the border of Joetsu and neighboring Kashiwazaki City
*Hishigatake-yama - part of the Shin-etsu trail and one location of the annual "Candle Road" festival
*Hishigatake-yama - part of the Shin-etsu trail and one location of the annual "Candle Road" festival


Although part of neighboring city [[Myōkō, Niigata|Myōkō]], [[Mount Myōkō]] can also be vividly seen from Joetsu. Known for it's heavy snowfall and ski resorts, Mt. Myōkō is listed as one of the [[100 Famous Japanese Mountains]], and is considered the "[[Mount Fuji]] of Echigo".
Although part of neighboring city [[Myōkō, Niigata|Myōkō]], [[Mount Myōkō]] can also be vividly seen from Joetsu. Known for its heavy snowfall and ski resorts, Mt. Myōkō is listed as one of the [[100 Famous Japanese Mountains]], and is considered the "[[Mount Fuji]] of Echigo".


===Surrounding municipalities===
===Surrounding municipalities===
*[[Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Niigata Prefecture]]
**[[Kashiwazaki, Niigata|Kashiwazaki]]
*[[Kashiwazaki, Niigata|Kashiwazaki]]
**[[Tōkamachi, Niigata|Tōkamachi]]
*[[Tōkamachi, Niigata|Tōkamachi]]
**[[Itoigawa, Niigata|Itoigawa]]
*[[Itoigawa, Niigata|Itoigawa]]
**[[Myōkō, Niigata|Myōkō]]
*[[Myōkō, Niigata|Myōkō]]
*[[Nagano Prefecture]]
[[Nagano Prefecture]]
**[[Iiyama, Nagano|Iiyama]]
*[[Iiyama, Nagano|Iiyama]]
**[[Sakae, Nagano|Sakae]]
*[[Sakae, Nagano|Sakae]]


<gallery mode=traditional>
<gallery mode=traditional>
File:Kasaugayama Castle.jpg|Kasugayama Castel ruins and Jōetsu-shi Maizō Bunkazai center
File:Kasaugayama Castle.jpg|Kasugayama Castel ruins and Jōetsu-shi Maizō Bunkazai center
File:Takada castle ruins.JPG|Night view of Takada Castle
File:Central Naoetsu.JPG|View of central Naoetsu area
File:Central Naoetsu.JPG|View of central Naoetsu area
Niigata_r198_Takada_Honcho_Street_3-chome_August2020.jpg|View of Central Takada area
Niigata_r198_Takada_Honcho_Street_3-chome_August2020.jpg|View of Central Takada area
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===Climate===
===Climate===
Jōetsu has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''). The average annual temperature is 13.4&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 2599&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 2.2&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/5507/ Jōetsu climate data]</ref>
Jōetsu has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''). The average annual temperature is 13.4&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 2599&nbsp;mm with January as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 2.2&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/5507/ Jōetsu climate data]</ref>


Owing to its location at the foot of [[Mount Hotaka (Nagano, Gifu)|Mount Hotaka]] facing onshore winds from the Sea of Japan, Jōetsu is the wettest low-lying part of the northern hemisphere temperate zone apart from the [[Owase, Mie|Owase]] region of the [[Kii Peninsula]], receiving an average of around {{convert|2.8|m|in|1}} of precipitation per year. As a comparison, [[Forks, Washington|Forks]] on the windward side of [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington's]] [[Olympic Peninsula]] receives {{convert|110|in|m|2}} and [[Rize]] on the Black Sea coast of Turkey {{convert|2530|mm|in|0}}. The cold winds from the combined power of the [[Siberian High]] and [[Aleutian Low]] give Jōetsu an average of {{convert|6.3|m|in|-1}} of snowfall that however tends to melt significantly even during the winter. On February 26, 1945, Jōetsu received as much as {{convert|3.77|m|in|0}} of snow in one day. The heaviest annual snowfall, since the beginning of regular snowfall measurements in 1953, was {{convert|14.94|m|in|-1}} in the 1985/1986 season and the heaviest monthly total precipitation {{convert|942|mm|in|0}} in January 1945, whilst the driest month was August 1985 with {{convert|16|mm|in}}.
Owing to its coastal location facing onshore winds off the Sea of Japan, Jōetsu is the wettest low-lying part of the northern hemisphere temperate zone apart from the [[Owase, Mie|Owase]] region of the [[Kii Peninsula]], receiving an average of around {{convert|2.8|m|in|1}} of precipitation per year. As a comparison, [[Forks, Washington|Forks]] on the windward side of [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington's]] [[Olympic Peninsula]] receives {{convert|110|in|m|2}} and [[Rize]] on the Black Sea coast of Turkey {{convert|2530|mm|in|0}}. The cold winds from the combined power of the [[Siberian High]] and [[Aleutian Low]] give Jōetsu an average of {{convert|6.3|m|in|-1}} of snowfall that however tends to melt significantly even during the winter. On February 26, 1945, Jōetsu received as much as {{convert|3.77|m|in|0}} of snow in one day. The heaviest annual snowfall, since the beginning of regular snowfall measurements in 1953, was {{convert|14.94|m|in|-1}} in the 1985/1986 season and the heaviest monthly total precipitation {{convert|942|mm|in|0}} in January 1945, whilst the driest month was August 1985 with {{convert|16|mm|in}}.


{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = yes
|location = Jōetsu, Niigata (Takada) (1981&ndash;2010)
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|location = [[:ja:高田市|Takada]], Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1922−present)
|Jan record high C = 19.4
|Jan record high C = 19.4
|Feb record high C = 21.9
|Feb record high C = 21.9
|Mar record high C = 25.4
|Mar record high C = 25.8
|Apr record high C = 32.3
|Apr record high C = 32.3
|May record high C = 33.1
|May record high C = 33.1
Line 161: Line 181:
|Aug record high C = 40.3
|Aug record high C = 40.3
|Sep record high C = 37.8
|Sep record high C = 37.8
|Oct record high C = 33.4
|Oct record high C = 34.1
|Nov record high C = 27.7
|Nov record high C = 28.1
|Dec record high C = 23.7
|Dec record high C = 23.7
|Jan record low C = -10.7

|Jan high C = 5.9
|Feb record low C = -13.2
|Feb high C = 6.3
|Mar record low C = -10.3
|Mar high C = 10.3
|Apr record low C = -6.5
|Apr high C = 17.5
|May record low C = -0.4
|May high C = 22.2
|Jun record low C = 6.4
|Jun high C = 25.4
|Jul record low C = 11.6
|Jul high C = 29.1
|Aug record low C = 13.0
|Sep record low C = 8.3
|Oct record low C = 1.2
|Nov record low C = -2.5
|Dec record low C = -7.8
|Jan high C = 6.0
|Feb high C = 6.7
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 17.6
|May high C = 22.7
|Jun high C = 25.8
|Jul high C = 29.6
|Aug high C = 31.3
|Aug high C = 31.3
|Sep high C = 26.8
|Sep high C = 27.1
|Oct high C = 21.2
|Oct high C = 21.5
|Nov high C = 15.3
|Nov high C = 15.5
|Dec high C = 9.5
|Dec high C = 9.3
|year high C= 18.4
|Jan mean C = 2.5
|Jan mean C = 2.4
|Feb mean C = 2.7
|Feb mean C = 2.4
|Mar mean C = 5.8
|Mar mean C = 5.4
|Apr mean C = 11.7
|Apr mean C = 11.5
|May mean C = 17.0
|May mean C = 16.6
|Jun mean C = 20.9
|Jun mean C = 20.6
|Jul mean C = 25.0
|Jul mean C = 24.6
|Aug mean C = 26.4
|Aug mean C = 26.3
|Sep mean C = 22.3
|Sep mean C = 22.0
|Oct mean C = 16.4
|Oct mean C = 16.0
|Nov mean C = 10.5
|Nov mean C = 10.2
|Dec mean C = 5.3
|Dec mean C = 5.3
|Jan low C = -0.4
|year mean C= 13.6
|Feb low C = -0.8
|Jan low C = −0.6
|Mar low C = 1.4
|Feb low C = -1.0
|Apr low C = 6.1
|Mar low C = 1.0
|May low C = 11.6
|Apr low C = 5.8
|Jun low C = 16.7
|May low C = 11.2
|Jul low C = 21.5
|Jun low C = 16.5
|Aug low C = 22.6
|Jul low C = 21.0
|Sep low C = 18.4
|Aug low C = 22.4
|Oct low C = 12.1
|Sep low C = 18.2
|Nov low C = 6.1
|Oct low C = 11.6
|Dec low C = 1.8
|Nov low C = 5.9
|Dec low C = 1.8
|year low C= 9.5
|Jan record low C = −10.7
|Feb record low C = −13.2
|Mar record low C = −10.3
|Apr record low C = −6.5
|May record low C = −0.4
|Jun record low C = 6.4
|Jul record low C = 11.6
|Aug record low C = 13.0
|Sep record low C = 8.3
|Oct record low C = 1.2
|Nov record low C = -2.0
|Dec record low C = −7.8
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 419.1
|Jan precipitation mm = 429.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 262.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 263.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 194.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 194.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 96.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 105.3
|May precipitation mm = 95.7
|May precipitation mm = 87.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 145.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 136.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 210.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 206.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 150.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 184.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 206.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 205.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 210.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 213.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 342.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 334.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 423.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 475.5
|year precipitation mm = 2837.1

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan snow cm = 247
|Jan precipitation days = 24.8
|Feb snow cm = 193
|Feb precipitation days = 20.4
|Mar snow cm = 86
|Mar precipitation days = 19.0
|Apr snow cm = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 12.3
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|May precipitation days = 10.0
|Jun precipitation days = 11.3
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Jul precipitation days = 13.2
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Aug precipitation days = 11.4
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Sep precipitation days = 13.9
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Oct precipitation days = 14.6
|Nov snow cm = 3
|Nov precipitation days = 18.6
|Dec snow cm = 92
|Dec precipitation days = 23.2

|Jan humidity = 78
|Jan snow cm = 171
|Feb snow cm = 139
|Mar snow cm = 47
|Apr snow cm = 2
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = trace
|Dec snow cm = 67
|year snow cm = 413
|unit snow days = 1 cm
|Jan snow days = 19.7
|Feb snow days = 17.8
|Mar snow days = 8.5
|Apr snow days = 0.4
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0.1
|Dec snow days = 9.8
|humidity colour= green
|Jan humidity = 79
|Feb humidity = 76
|Feb humidity = 76
|Mar humidity = 72
|Mar humidity = 72
|Apr humidity = 67
|Apr humidity = 67
|May humidity = 71
|May humidity = 71
|Jun humidity = 77
|Jun humidity = 78
|Jul humidity = 80
|Jul humidity = 81
|Aug humidity = 77
|Aug humidity = 78
|Sep humidity = 79
|Sep humidity = 79
|Oct humidity = 77
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 77
|Nov humidity = 78
|Dec humidity = 76
|Dec humidity = 78
|Jan sun = 62.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Feb sun = 83.2
|Jan precipitation days = 25.8
|Mar sun = 128.7
|Feb precipitation days = 22.0
|Apr sun = 177.6
|Mar precipitation days = 20.5
|May sun = 201.8
|Apr precipitation days = 12.9
|Jun sun = 153.6
|May precipitation days = 12.2
|Jul sun = 148.4
|Jun precipitation days = 13.2
|Jul precipitation days = 14.6
|Aug sun = 189.6
|Sep sun = 136.7
|Aug precipitation days = 11.4
|Oct sun = 131.8
|Sep precipitation days = 15.5
|Oct precipitation days = 16.5
|Nov precipitation days = 19.4
|Dec precipitation days = 23.5

|Jan snow days = 26.1
|Feb snow days = 25.4
|Mar snow days = 17.3
|Apr snow days = 2.7
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 12.4
|Jan sun = 65.4
|Feb sun = 79.6
|Mar sun = 120.7
|Apr sun = 181.1
|May sun = 196.3
|Jun sun = 150.9
|Jul sun = 153.8
|Aug sun = 195.0
|Sep sun = 129.4
|Oct sun = 134.5
|Nov sun = 104.1
|Nov sun = 104.1
|Dec sun = 80.0
|Dec sun = 73.0
|year sun = 1591.8
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=47612&year=&month=&day=&view=
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=47612&year=&month=&day=&view=
Line 301: Line 319:
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = [[Ōgata, Niigata|Ōgata]], Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 16.7
|Feb record high C = 22.7
|Mar record high C = 24.4
|Apr record high C = 30.4
|May record high C = 33.4
|Jun record high C = 34.4
|Jul record high C = 39.5
|Aug record high C = 40.0
|Sep record high C = 39.5
|Oct record high C = 35.7
|Nov record high C = 27.4
|Dec record high C = 23.5
|Jan record low C = -10.0
|Feb record low C = -8.0
|Mar record low C = -6.6
|Apr record low C = -3.0
|May record low C = 3.2
|Jun record low C = 9.0
|Jul record low C = 13.7
|Aug record low C = 14.2
|Sep record low C = 8.5
|Oct record low C = 1.9
|Nov record low C = -2.1
|Dec record low C = -7.6
|Jan high C = 6.3
|Feb high C = 6.7
|Mar high C = 10.1
|Apr high C = 15.6
|May high C = 20.5
|Jun high C = 23.9
|Jul high C = 28.0
|Aug high C = 30.0
|Sep high C = 26.3
|Oct high C = 20.8
|Nov high C = 15.1
|Dec high C = 9.5
|Jan mean C = 2.9
|Feb mean C = 3.0
|Mar mean C = 5.8
|Apr mean C = 10.9
|May mean C = 16.1
|Jun mean C = 20.3
|Jul mean C = 24.4
|Aug mean C = 26.0
|Sep mean C = 22.1
|Oct mean C = 16.4
|Nov mean C = 10.6
|Dec mean C = 5.5
|Jan low C = -0.2
|Feb low C = -0.6
|Mar low C = 1.5
|Apr low C = 6.2
|May low C = 11.9
|Jun low C = 17.0
|Jul low C = 21.5
|Aug low C = 22.6
|Sep low C = 18.4
|Oct low C = 12.2
|Nov low C = 6.2
|Dec low C = 1.9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 293.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 173.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 143.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 93.4
|May precipitation mm = 88.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 140.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 208.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 160.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 187.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 180.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 296.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 358.0
|year precipitation mm = 2321.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 25.6
|Feb precipitation days = 20.9
|Mar precipitation days = 18.4
|Apr precipitation days = 13.2
|May precipitation days = 10.7
|Jun precipitation days = 11.1
|Jul precipitation days = 13.0
|Aug precipitation days = 10.7
|Sep precipitation days = 13.8
|Oct precipitation days = 14.7
|Nov precipitation days = 19.2
|Dec precipitation days = 24.9
|Jan sun = 44.3
|Feb sun = 69.6
|Mar sun = 131.1
|Apr sun = 186.5
|May sun = 208.7
|Jun sun = 166.8
|Jul sun = 168.5
|Aug sun = 210.4
|Sep sun = 149.8
|Oct sun = 137.0
|Nov sun = 95.6
|Dec sun = 59.7
|year sun = 1639.8
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=54&block_no=1302&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=1302&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = [[Nō, Niigata|Nō]], Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 17.5
|Feb record high C = 22.5
|Mar record high C = 24.9
|Apr record high C = 29.6
|May record high C = 30.2
|Jun record high C = 32.8
|Jul record high C = 36.5
|Aug record high C = 36.9
|Sep record high C = 36.3
|Oct record high C = 33.5
|Nov record high C = 26.9
|Dec record high C = 22.7
|Jan record low C = -7.3
|Feb record low C = -8.1
|Mar record low C = -5.8
|Apr record low C = -2.2
|May record low C = 2.7
|Jun record low C = 7.6
|Jul record low C = 13.4
|Aug record low C = 14.3
|Sep record low C = 7.8
|Oct record low C = 2.6
|Nov record low C = -0.5
|Dec record low C = -6.1
|Jan high C = 5.6
|Feb high C = 6.0
|Mar high C = 9.6
|Apr high C = 15.7
|May high C = 20.8
|Jun high C = 23.9
|Jul high C = 27.8
|Aug high C = 29.4
|Sep high C = 25.6
|Oct high C = 20.2
|Nov high C = 14.5
|Dec high C = 8.8
|Jan mean C = 2.2
|Feb mean C = 2.1
|Mar mean C = 4.9
|Apr mean C = 10.4
|May mean C = 15.8
|Jun mean C = 19.8
|Jul mean C = 23.9
|Aug mean C = 25.1
|Sep mean C = 21.1
|Oct mean C = 15.5
|Nov mean C = 9.9
|Dec mean C = 4.8
|Jan low C = -0.6
|Feb low C = -1.1
|Mar low C = 1.0
|Apr low C = 5.6
|May low C = 11.1
|Jun low C = 16.1
|Jul low C = 20.6
|Aug low C = 21.6
|Sep low C = 17.6
|Oct low C = 11.8
|Nov low C = 6.0
|Dec low C = 1.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 387.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 233.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 208.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 136.8
|May precipitation mm = 124.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 174.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 243.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 237.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 281.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 293.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 404.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 474.4
|year precipitation mm = 3223.5
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 25.2
|Feb precipitation days = 20.1
|Mar precipitation days = 18.9
|Apr precipitation days = 13.1
|May precipitation days = 11.5
|Jun precipitation days = 12.1
|Jul precipitation days = 14.5
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 14.8
|Oct precipitation days = 15.8
|Nov precipitation days = 19.2
|Dec precipitation days = 23.9
|Jan snow cm = 204
|Feb snow cm = 181
|Mar snow cm = 62
|Apr snow cm = 2
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 72
|year snow cm = 505
|unit snow days = 3 cm
|Jan snow days = 16.4
|Feb snow days = 15.7
|Mar snow days = 6.5
|Apr snow days = 0.2
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0.1
|Dec snow days = 6.6
|Jan sun = 41.3
|Feb sun = 70.3
|Mar sun = 118.9
|Apr sun = 175.2
|May sun = 198.5
|Jun sun = 142.7
|Jul sun = 140.0
|Aug sun = 185.8
|Sep sun = 129.2
|Oct sun = 126.9
|Nov sun = 96.7
|Dec sun = 57.2
|year sun = 1478.3
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0540&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0540&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = [[Yasuzuka, Niigata|Yasuzuka]], Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
|Jan record high C = 16.9
|Feb record high C = 19.8
|Mar record high C = 25.8
|Apr record high C = 31.0
|May record high C = 31.4
|Jun record high C = 34.0
|Jul record high C = 37.6
|Aug record high C = 37.6
|Sep record high C = 36.7
|Oct record high C = 32.9
|Nov record high C = 26.0
|Dec record high C = 21.7
|Jan record low C = -10.9
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -9.0
|Apr record low C = -4.5
|May record low C = 1.1
|Jun record low C = 5.4
|Jul record low C = 12.7
|Aug record low C = 12.8
|Sep record low C = 6.0
|Oct record low C = 1.3
|Nov record low C = -2.6
|Dec record low C = -8.5
|Jan high C = 4.0
|Feb high C = 4.8
|Mar high C = 8.6
|Apr high C = 15.7
|May high C = 21.6
|Jun high C = 24.6
|Jul high C = 28.1
|Aug high C = 29.8
|Sep high C = 25.7
|Oct high C = 19.8
|Nov high C = 13.8
|Dec high C = 7.3
|Jan mean C = 0.6
|Feb mean C = 0.6
|Mar mean C = 3.2
|Apr mean C = 9.3
|May mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 19.6
|Jul mean C = 23.6
|Aug mean C = 24.7
|Sep mean C = 20.6
|Oct mean C = 14.5
|Nov mean C = 8.5
|Dec mean C = 3.1
|Jan low C = -2.3
|Feb low C = -2.9
|Mar low C = -1.0
|Apr low C = 3.7
|May low C = 9.8
|Jun low C = 15.2
|Jul low C = 19.9
|Aug low C = 20.7
|Sep low C = 16.6
|Oct low C = 10.3
|Nov low C = 4.2
|Dec low C = -0.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 387.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 229.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 172.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 114.1
|May precipitation mm = 109.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 150.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 213.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 194.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 202.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 207.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 286.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 411.5
|year precipitation mm = 2696.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 25.4
|Feb precipitation days = 21.1
|Mar precipitation days = 19.6
|Apr precipitation days = 14.1
|May precipitation days = 11.5
|Jun precipitation days = 12.0
|Jul precipitation days = 14.5
|Aug precipitation days = 11.8
|Sep precipitation days = 14.9
|Oct precipitation days = 15.4
|Nov precipitation days = 18.1
|Dec precipitation days = 22.9
|Jan snow cm = 293
|Feb snow cm = 236
|Mar snow cm = 125
|Apr snow cm = 13
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 2
|Dec snow cm = 134
|year snow cm = 799
|unit snow days = 3 cm
|Jan snow days = 19.9
|Feb snow days = 17.6
|Mar snow days = 13.4
|Apr snow days = 2.0
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0.3
|Dec snow days = 9.7
|Jan sun = 42.2
|Feb sun = 61.8
|Mar sun = 107.9
|Apr sun = 163.7
|May sun = 193.7
|Jun sun = 142.1
|Jul sun = 136.8
|Aug sun = 181.4
|Sep sun = 129.3
|Oct sun = 126.8
|Nov sun = 101.3
|Dec sun = 61.1
|year sun = 1444.1
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0536&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=54&block_no=0536&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 24, 2022}}</ref>}}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-niigata.php Jōetsu population statistics]</ref> the population of Jōetsu has declined steadily over the past 40 years.
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-niigata.php Jōetsu population statistics]</ref> the population of Jōetsu has declined over the past 60 years.

{| class="wikitable"
{{Historical populations
|-
| 1960 | 234,673
! Census Year
| 1970 | 217,679
! Population
| 1980 | 216,320
|-
| 1990 | 212,248
| 1970
| 2000 | 211,870
| 217,679
| 2010 | 203,899
|-
| 2020 | 188,047
| 1980
|align = none
| 216,320
| footnote =
|-
}}
| 1990
| 212,248
|-
| 2000
| 211,870
|-
| 2010
| 203,899
|}


==Toponymy==
==Toponymy==
Line 329: Line 738:


==History==
==History==
[[File:Amalgamation_Joetsu_jp.svg|thumb|'''Yellow''':13 former municipalities merged into Joetsu in 2005]]
[[File:Amalgamation Joetsu jp.svg|thumb|'''Yellow''': 13 former municipalities merged into Joetsu in 2005.]]

The area of present-day Jōetsu has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the ruins of numerous [[Jōmon period]] and [[Kofun period]] settlements, tombs and fortifications have been found. The area was part of ancient [[Echigo Province]], and the location of the [[Nara period]] [[kokufu|provincial capital]]. During the [[Sengoku period]], it was the center of the holdings of the [[Uesugi clan]] and notably [[Kasugayama Castle]] was the headquarters of the famed warlord [[Uesugi Kenshin]]. The [[Uesugi clan]] were transferred by [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] to [[Aizu]] and the area later came under the [[Takada Domain]] during the [[Edo period]] [[Tokugawa Shogunate]].
The area of present-day Jōetsu has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the ruins of numerous [[Jōmon period]] and [[Kofun period]] settlements, tombs and fortifications have been found. The area was part of ancient [[Echigo Province]], and the location of the [[Nara period]] [[kokufu|provincial capital]]. During the [[Sengoku period]], it was the center of the holdings of the [[Uesugi clan]] and notably [[Kasugayama Castle]] was the headquarters of the famed warlord [[Uesugi Kenshin]]. The [[Uesugi clan]] were transferred by [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] to [[Aizu]] and the area later came under the [[Takada Domain]] during the [[Edo period]] [[Tokugawa Shogunate]].


In 1614, [[Matsudaira Tadateru]], the 6th son of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] was assigned to Echigo Province and ordered the construction of [[Takada Castle]]. The domain was later ruled by a number of ''[[fudai daimyō]]'' houses. The last ''[[daimyō]]'' of Takada Domain was [[Sakakibara Masataka]], who sided with the imperial forces in the [[Boshin War]] of the [[Meiji restoration]] and who subsequently served as imperial governor until the [[abolition of the han system]] in 1871 by the [[Meiji government]].
In 1614, [[Matsudaira Tadateru]], the 6th son of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] was assigned to Echigo Province and ordered the construction of [[Takada Castle]]. The domain was later ruled by a number of ''[[fudai daimyō]]'' houses. The last ''[[daimyō]]'' of Takada Domain was [[Sakakibara Masataka]], who sided with the imperial forces in the [[Boshin War]] of the [[Meiji restoration]] and who subsequently served as imperial governor until the [[abolition of the han system]] in 1871 by the [[Meiji government]].


The towns of Takada and Naoetsu were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Takada was elevated to city status on September 1, 1911 and Naoetsu on June 1, 1954.
The towns of Takada and Naoetsu were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Takada was elevated to city status on September 1, 1911 and Naoetsu on June 1, 1954. Takada and Naoetsu merged to form the city of Jōetsu in 1971.
Takada and Naoetsu merged to form the city of Jōetsu in 1971.


On January 1, 2005, Jōetsu annexed 13 neighbouring municipalities, expanding its area by four times. The municipalities annexed were the towns of Yasuzuka, Kakizaki, Ogata, Yoshikawa, and Itakura, and the villages of Nakagō, Kubiki, Uragawara, Oshima, Maki, Kiyosato, and Sanwa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=366 |title=Takada jo sanju yagura (Takada Castle Three-story-Turret) |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=167 |title=Sakaki Shrine |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref> On April 1, 2007, Jōetsu attained [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]] status, which gives it greater local autonomy from the prefectural government.
On January 1, 2005, Jōetsu annexed 13 neighbouring municipalities, expanding its area by four times. The municipalities that were annexed into consisted of the following: the town of [[Yasuzuka, Niigata|Yasuzuka]], the villages of [[Maki, Niigata (Higashikubiki)|Maki]], [[Ōshima, Niigata|Ōshima]] and [[Uragawara, Niigata|Uragawara]] (all from [[Higashikubiki District, Niigata|Higashikubiki District]]); the towns of [[Itakura, Niigata|Itakura]], [[Kakizaki, Niigata|Kakizaki]], [[Ōgata, Niigata|Ōgata]] and [[Yoshikawa, Niigata|Yoshikawa]], and the villages of [[Kiyosato, Niigata|Kiyosato]], [[Kubiki, Niigata|Kubiki]], [[Nakagō, Niigata|Nakagō]] and [[Sanwa, Niigata|Sanwa]] (all from [[Nakakubiki District, Niigata|Nakakubiki District]]); and the town of and [[Nadachi, Niigata|Nadachi]] (from [[Nishikubiki District, Niigata|Nishikubiki District]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=366 |title=Takada jo sanju yagura (Takada Castle Three-story-Turret) |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=167 |title=Sakaki Shrine |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref> On April 1, 2007, Jōetsu attained [[Special cities of Japan|Special city]] status, which gives it greater local autonomy from the prefectural government.


===Skiing in Japan===
===Skiing in Japan===
The victory in the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1905 brought about newfound interest in Japanese [[military strategy]] which prompted European powers to send troops to Japan to study new methods of combat. One of the soldiers, an [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] major named [[Theodore Von Lerch]], made a profound difference to the Jōetsu locals as well as the nation itself by introducing the sport of [[skiing]] to Japan. On January 12, 1911, Lerch began his ski training on Mt. Kanaya. The participants consisted of both soldiers and civilians. Lerch taught using the “Stemboggen” method, which involved a single bamboo pole that served a dual purpose as a steering tool and as a brake. With the translation help of the [[13th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|IJA 13th Division]] commander [[Gaishi Nagaoka]], the Takada Ski Club eventually amassed over 6,000 members in 1912. Soon after, skiing spread across the nation, especially in areas where snow dominated the landscape. It provided a new mode of transportation not only for the military, but for those who were rendered immobile by the seemingly impassible slopes of white. To commemorate his contribution, the Japan Ski Origins Museum was erected on Mt. Kanaya in time to coincide with the 80th anniversary of skiing's inception in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=10 |title=Japan Ski Origins Museum |access-date=June 18, 2018 | publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref>
The victory in the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1905 brought about newfound interest in Japanese [[military strategy]] which prompted European powers to send troops to Japan to study new methods of combat. One of the soldiers, an [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] major named [[Theodor von Lerch]], made a profound difference to the Jōetsu locals as well as the nation itself by introducing the sport of [[skiing]] to Japan. On January 12, 1911, Lerch began his ski training on Mt. Kanaya. The participants consisted of both soldiers and civilians. Lerch taught using the "Stemboggen" method, which involved a single bamboo pole that served a dual purpose as a steering tool and as a brake. With the translation help of the [[13th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|IJA 13th Division]] commander [[Gaishi Nagaoka]], the Takada Ski Club eventually amassed over 6,000 members in 1912. Soon after, skiing spread across the nation, especially in areas where snow dominated the landscape. It provided a new mode of transportation not only for the military, but for those who were rendered immobile by the seemingly impassible slopes of white. To commemorate his contribution, the Japan Ski Origins Museum was erected on Mt. Kanaya in time to coincide with the 80th anniversary of skiing's inception in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joetsukankonavi.jp/spot-en.php?id=10 |title=Japan Ski Origins Museum |access-date=June 18, 2018 | publisher=Jōetsu Kanko Navi}}</ref>


===World War II===
===World War II===
During World War II, the city of Naoetsu was the site of a POW camp that garnered international focus from the best-selling biography, ''[[Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption]]'' by [[Laura Hillenbrand]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/ |title=Unbroken |access-date=August 2, 2018 | publisher=laurahillenbrandbooks}}</ref> and later, the movie adaptation, [[Unbroken (film)|"Unbroken"]] in 2014. The book and movie focus on former Olympic track star [[Louis Zamperini]] and the brutal mistreatment of him and his fellow soldiers at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army corporal, [[Mutsuhiro Watanabe]], infamously known as "The Bird". According to the book, Watanabe fled Naoetsu after the Allied forces invaded Japan and was never charged, despite being one of General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s top 40 most-wanted [[war criminal]]s.
During World War II, the city of Naoetsu was the site of a POW camp that garnered international focus from the best-selling biography, ''[[Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption]]'' by [[Laura Hillenbrand]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/ |title=Unbroken |access-date=August 2, 2018 | publisher=laurahillenbrandbooks}}</ref> and later, the movie adaptation, [[Unbroken (film)|"Unbroken"]] in 2014. The book and movie focus on former Olympic track star [[Louis Zamperini]] and the brutal mistreatment of him and his fellow soldiers at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army corporal, [[Mutsuhiro Watanabe]], infamously known as "The Bird". According to the book, Watanabe fled Naoetsu after the Allied forces invaded Japan and was never charged, despite being one of General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s top 40 most-wanted [[war criminal]]s.


The Naoetsu POW camp also housed over 300 Australian soldiers, 60 of which died from sickness and poor living conditions. In October 1955, fifty years following the end of the war, the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Statues were founded and built by Jōetsu to promote peace and friendship. The following year, the Japan-Australia Society of Jōetsu was established with the purpose of educating future generations and maintaining a lasting relationship with Australian citizens abroad and living throughout Joetsu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.max.hi-ho.ne.jp/yoshi-ko/indexe.htm |title=Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu |access-date=August 2, 2018 | publisher=Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu}}</ref>
The Naoetsu POW camp also housed over 300 Australian soldiers, 60 of which died from sickness and poor living conditions. In October 1995, fifty years following the end of the war, the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Statues were founded and built by Jōetsu to promote peace and friendship. The following year, the Japan-Australia Society of Jōetsu was established with the purpose of educating future generations and maintaining a lasting relationship with Australian citizens abroad and living throughout Joetsu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.max.hi-ho.ne.jp/yoshi-ko/indexe.htm |title=Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu |access-date=August 2, 2018 | publisher=Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu}}</ref>


==Government==
==Government==
[[File:Joetsu city hall.JPG|right|thumb|Joetsu City Hall]]
[[File:Joetsu city hall.JPG|right|thumb|Joetsu City Hall]]
Jōetsu has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 32 members. The city contributes five members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the [[Niigata at-large district]] in the [[House of Councillors (Japan)|upper house]] of the [[National Diet]] of Japan, and Niigata Electoral District No.6 in the [[House of Representatives (Japan)|lower house]].
Jōetsu has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 32 members. The city contributes five members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the [[Niigata at-large district]] in the [[House of Councillors (Japan)|upper house]] of the [[National Diet]] of Japan, and [[Niigata 6th District]] in the [[House of Representatives (Japan)|lower house]].


==Economy==
==Economy==
[[File:Takada_Daishi_Bank.jpg|thumb|Old bank building in Takada]]
Jōetsu is a regional commercial and industrial centre, with heavy industry concentrated around the port of former Naoetsu, and light manufacturing and commerce around the former Takada area. The [[Jōetsu Thermal Power Station]] is an LNG-fired [[thermal power station]] operated by [[JERA]] in the city.
Jōetsu is a regional commercial and industrial centre, with heavy industry concentrated around the port of former Naoetsu, and light manufacturing and commerce around the former Takada area. The [[Jōetsu Thermal Power Station]] is an LNG-fired [[thermal power station]] operated by [[JERA]] in the city.


==Education==
==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
===Colleges and universities===
*[[Joetsu University of Education]] is a national university established on October 1, 1978, and specializes in pedagogical training for prospective roles in elementary and secondary education, as well as a focus on child growth and development. Although the university accepts international students, the admission rate hovers between 20-30%, making it a selective institution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juen.ac.jp/contents-e/contents/about/index.html |title=Number of Officials and Staff|access-date=July 26, 2018 |publisher=Joetsu University of Education}}</ref>
*[[Joetsu University of Education]] is a national university established on October 1, 1978, and specializes in pedagogical training for prospective roles in elementary and secondary education, as well as a focus on child growth and development. Although the university accepts international students, the admission rate hovers between 20 and 30%, making it a selective institution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juen.ac.jp/contents-e/contents/about/index.html |title=Number of Officials and Staff|access-date=July 26, 2018 |publisher=Joetsu University of Education}}</ref>
*[[Niigata College of Nursing]]
*[[Niigata College of Nursing]]
**[[Niigata Junior College of Nursing]]


===Primary and secondary education===
===Primary and secondary education===
Line 368: Line 777:
*{{STN|Jōetsumyōkō}}
*{{STN|Jōetsumyōkō}}
[[File:JR logo (east).svg|20px]] [[JR East]] - [[Shin'etsu Main Line]]
[[File:JR logo (east).svg|20px]] [[JR East]] - [[Shin'etsu Main Line]]
*{{STN|Naoetsu}} - {{STN|Kuroi|Niigata}} - {{STN|Saigata}} - {{STN|Dosokohama}} - {{STN|Katamachi}} - {{STN|Jōgehama}} - {{STN|Kakizaki}}
*{{STN|Naoetsu}} - {{STN|Kuroi|Niigata}} - {{STN|Saigata}} - {{STN|Dosokohama}} - {{STN|Katamachi|Jōetsu}} - {{STN|Jōgehama}} - {{STN|Kakizaki}}
[[File:Hokuhoku-Line Logo.png|40px]] [[Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line]]
[[File:Hokuhoku-Line Logo.png|40px]] [[Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line]]
*{{STN|Hokuhoku-Ōshima}} - {{STN|Mushigawa-Ōsugi}} - {{STN|Uragawara}} - {{STN|Ōike-Ikoi-no-mori}} - {{STN|Saigata}}
*{{STN|Hokuhoku-Ōshima}} - {{STN|Mushigawa-Ōsugi}} - {{STN|Uragawara}} - {{STN|Ōike-Ikoi-no-mori}} - {{STN|Saigata}}
Line 377: Line 786:


===Highway===
===Highway===
*[[File:E8 Expressway (Japan).png|20px]] [[Hokuriku Expressway]]
*[[File:JP Expressway E8.svg|20px]] [[Hokuriku Expressway]]
*[[File:E18 Expressway (Japan).png|20px]] [[Jōshin-etsu Expressway]]
*[[File:JP Expressway E18.svg|20px]] [[Jōshin-etsu Expressway]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|8}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|8}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|18}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|18}}
Line 395: Line 804:


===Places of Interest===
===Places of Interest===
[[File:Joetsu_Aquarium_Umigatari.jpg|thumb|Joetsu_Aquarium_Umigatari]]
[[File:Escapement_street_of_Takada.jpg|thumb|Gangi-dori Street in Takada]]
[[File:Escapement_street_of_Takada.jpg|thumb|Gangi-dori Street in Takada]]
[[File:Linsenji_1.jpg|thumb|Rinsen-ji Temple]]
*[[Takada Castle]]: Three-story turret located in Takada Park
*[[Takada Castle]]: Three-story turret located in Takada Park
*[[Kasugayama Castle]]: former fortress of warlord and daimyō [[Uesugi Kenshin]]
*[[Kasugayama Castle]]: A castle ruin, main castle of [[Uesugi clan]]
*[[Samegao Castle]] : A castle ruin of Uesugi clan.
*[[Hida Sites]], Yayoi period settlement ruins, National Historic Site
*Takahashi Magozaemon Shouten: oldest running candy store in Japan
*Takahashi Magozaemon Shouten: oldest running candy store in Japan
*Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari
*[[Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari]]
*Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd.: one of the oldest wineries in Japan and birthplace of the grape Muscat Bailey A
*Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd.: one of the oldest wineries in Japan and birthplace of the grape Muscat Bailey A
*Gangi Dori: 16&nbsp;km alleyway of wooden eaves built to shelter pedestrians during heavy snowfall
*Gangi Dori: 16&nbsp;km alleyway of wooden eaves built to shelter pedestrians during heavy snowfall
Line 429: Line 838:
*Kawakami Zenbei, winemaker, founder of Iwanohara Vineyard
*Kawakami Zenbei, winemaker, founder of Iwanohara Vineyard
*[[Uesugi Kenshin]], daimyō
*[[Uesugi Kenshin]], daimyō
*[[Takakura Moeka]], idol


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{cite web|url=https://travel.gaijinpot.com/mount-yoneyama/ |title=Mount Yoneyama |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Gaijin Pot}}
*{{cite web|url=https://travel.gaijinpot.com/mount-yoneyama/ |title=Mount Yoneyama |date=10 August 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2018 |publisher=Gaijin Pot}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Joetsu, Niigata|Jōetsu, Niigata}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Joetsu, Niigata|Jōetsu, Niigata}}
*[http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[http://joetsukankonavi.jp/ Jōetsu Tourism Promotion Division]
*[http://joetsukankonavi.jp/ Jōetsu Tourism Promotion Division]

Latest revision as of 03:54, 7 March 2024

Jōetsu
上越市
Special city
Takada Castle Park and sakura
Joetsu Aquarium UmigatariGokuraku Bridge at Takada Castle
Rinsen-jiformer No.139 National Bank Building
Flag of Jōetsu
Flag
Official seal of Jōetsu
Seal
Location of Jōetsu in Niigata
Location of Jōetsu in Niigata
Jōetsu is located in Japan
Jōetsu
Jōetsu
 
Coordinates: 37°8′52.3″N 138°14′9.9″E / 37.147861°N 138.236083°E / 37.147861; 138.236083
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
PrefectureNiigata
First official recorded702 AD
Takada city establishedSeptember 1, 1911
Naoetsu city establishedJune 1, 1954
Two cities merged and current name dateApril 30, 1971
Government
 • MayorHideyuki Murayama
Area
 • Total973.81 km2 (375.99 sq mi)
Population
 (December 1, 2020)
 • Total189,430
 • Density190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number025-526-5111
Address1-1-3 Kida, Jōetsu-shi, Niigata-ken 943-8601
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerCamellia
TreeSakura
Takada Castle
Sakaki Shrine
One of the oldest wineries in Japan and home to the grape Muscat Bailey A
Sunrise over Takada

Jōetsu (上越市, Jōetsu-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2020, the city had an estimated population of 189,430, in 76,461 households[1] with a population density of 190 persons per km2. The total area of the city was 973.81 square kilometres (375.99 sq mi). Jōetsu borders the Sea of Japan and is renowned for its abundance of snow, the annual cherry-blossom festival, sake and Koshihikari rice.

Geography[edit]

Sea of Japan at Naoetsu Beach

Jōetsu is in southwest Niigata Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the north and Nagano Prefecture to the south. It is approximately 133 kilometers west of the city of Niigata, the prefectural capital and 139 kilometers east of Toyama.

Mountains[edit]

Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Jōetsu contains four noteworthy mountains:

  • Kasugayama - formerly the location of Kasugayama Castle, home of the Sengoku period daimyō, Uesugi Kenshin
  • Kanayasan - birthplace of skiing in Japan
  • Yoneyama - a sacred mountain on the border of Joetsu and neighboring Kashiwazaki City
  • Hishigatake-yama - part of the Shin-etsu trail and one location of the annual "Candle Road" festival

Although part of neighboring city Myōkō, Mount Myōkō can also be vividly seen from Joetsu. Known for its heavy snowfall and ski resorts, Mt. Myōkō is listed as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and is considered the "Mount Fuji of Echigo".

Surrounding municipalities[edit]

Niigata Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture

  • Kasugayama Castel ruins and Jōetsu-shi Maizō Bunkazai center
    Kasugayama Castel ruins and Jōetsu-shi Maizō Bunkazai center
  • View of central Naoetsu area
    View of central Naoetsu area
  • View of Central Takada area
    View of Central Takada area

Climate[edit]

Jōetsu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature is 13.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2599 mm with January as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.2 °C.[2]

Owing to its coastal location facing onshore winds off the Sea of Japan, Jōetsu is the wettest low-lying part of the northern hemisphere temperate zone apart from the Owase region of the Kii Peninsula, receiving an average of around 2.8 metres (110.2 in) of precipitation per year. As a comparison, Forks on the windward side of Washington's Olympic Peninsula receives 110 inches (2.79 m) and Rize on the Black Sea coast of Turkey 2,530 millimetres (100 in). The cold winds from the combined power of the Siberian High and Aleutian Low give Jōetsu an average of 6.3 metres (250 in) of snowfall that however tends to melt significantly even during the winter. On February 26, 1945, Jōetsu received as much as 3.77 metres (148 in) of snow in one day. The heaviest annual snowfall, since the beginning of regular snowfall measurements in 1953, was 14.94 metres (590 in) in the 1985/1986 season and the heaviest monthly total precipitation 942 millimetres (37 in) in January 1945, whilst the driest month was August 1985 with 16 millimetres (0.63 in).

Climate data for Takada, Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1922−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.4
(66.9) 		21.9
(71.4) 		25.8
(78.4) 		32.3
(90.1) 		33.1
(91.6) 		36.4
(97.5) 		38.9
(102.0) 		40.3
(104.5) 		37.8
(100.0) 		34.1
(93.4) 		28.1
(82.6) 		23.7
(74.7) 		40.3
(104.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.0
(42.8) 		6.7
(44.1) 		10.9
(51.6) 		17.6
(63.7) 		22.7
(72.9) 		25.8
(78.4) 		29.6
(85.3) 		31.3
(88.3) 		27.1
(80.8) 		21.5
(70.7) 		15.5
(59.9) 		9.3
(48.7) 		18.7
(65.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5) 		2.7
(36.9) 		5.8
(42.4) 		11.7
(53.1) 		17.0
(62.6) 		20.9
(69.6) 		25.0
(77.0) 		26.4
(79.5) 		22.3
(72.1) 		16.4
(61.5) 		10.5
(50.9) 		5.3
(41.5) 		13.9
(57.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.4
(31.3) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		1.4
(34.5) 		6.1
(43.0) 		11.6
(52.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		21.5
(70.7) 		22.6
(72.7) 		18.4
(65.1) 		12.1
(53.8) 		6.1
(43.0) 		1.8
(35.2) 		9.8
(49.6)
Record low °C (°F) −10.7
(12.7) 		−13.2
(8.2) 		−10.3
(13.5) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		6.4
(43.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		13.0
(55.4) 		8.3
(46.9) 		1.2
(34.2) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−7.8
(18.0) 		−13.2
(8.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 429.6
(16.91) 		263.3
(10.37) 		194.7
(7.67) 		105.3
(4.15) 		87.0
(3.43) 		136.5
(5.37) 		206.8
(8.14) 		184.5
(7.26) 		205.8
(8.10) 		213.9
(8.42) 		334.2
(13.16) 		475.5
(18.72) 		2,837.1
(111.70)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 171
(67) 		139
(55) 		47
(19) 		2
(0.8) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		trace 67
(26) 		413
(163)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 24.8 20.4 19.0 12.3 10.0 11.3 13.2 11.4 13.9 14.6 18.6 23.2 192.7
Average snowy days (≥ 1 cm) 19.7 17.8 8.5 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 9.8 56.3
Average relative humidity (%) 79 76 72 67 71 78 81 78 79 78 78 78 76
Mean monthly sunshine hours 62.4 83.2 128.7 177.6 201.8 153.6 148.4 189.6 136.7 131.8 104.1 73.0 1,591.8
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][4]
Climate data for Ōgata, Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.7
(62.1) 		22.7
(72.9) 		24.4
(75.9) 		30.4
(86.7) 		33.4
(92.1) 		34.4
(93.9) 		39.5
(103.1) 		40.0
(104.0) 		39.5
(103.1) 		35.7
(96.3) 		27.4
(81.3) 		23.5
(74.3) 		40.0
(104.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.3
(43.3) 		6.7
(44.1) 		10.1
(50.2) 		15.6
(60.1) 		20.5
(68.9) 		23.9
(75.0) 		28.0
(82.4) 		30.0
(86.0) 		26.3
(79.3) 		20.8
(69.4) 		15.1
(59.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		17.7
(63.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.9
(37.2) 		3.0
(37.4) 		5.8
(42.4) 		10.9
(51.6) 		16.1
(61.0) 		20.3
(68.5) 		24.4
(75.9) 		26.0
(78.8) 		22.1
(71.8) 		16.4
(61.5) 		10.6
(51.1) 		5.5
(41.9) 		13.7
(56.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		1.5
(34.7) 		6.2
(43.2) 		11.9
(53.4) 		17.0
(62.6) 		21.5
(70.7) 		22.6
(72.7) 		18.4
(65.1) 		12.2
(54.0) 		6.2
(43.2) 		1.9
(35.4) 		9.9
(49.8)
Record low °C (°F) −10.0
(14.0) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		3.2
(37.8) 		9.0
(48.2) 		13.7
(56.7) 		14.2
(57.6) 		8.5
(47.3) 		1.9
(35.4) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−10.0
(14.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 293.1
(11.54) 		173.4
(6.83) 		143.5
(5.65) 		93.4
(3.68) 		88.4
(3.48) 		140.3
(5.52) 		208.7
(8.22) 		160.7
(6.33) 		187.0
(7.36) 		180.4
(7.10) 		296.0
(11.65) 		358.0
(14.09) 		2,321.7
(91.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 25.6 20.9 18.4 13.2 10.7 11.1 13.0 10.7 13.8 14.7 19.2 24.9 196.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 44.3 69.6 131.1 186.5 208.7 166.8 168.5 210.4 149.8 137.0 95.6 59.7 1,639.8
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[5][6]
Climate data for Nō, Jōetsu (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) 		22.5
(72.5) 		24.9
(76.8) 		29.6
(85.3) 		30.2
(86.4) 		32.8
(91.0) 		36.5
(97.7) 		36.9
(98.4) 		36.3
(97.3) 		33.5
(92.3) 		26.9
(80.4) 		22.7
(72.9) 		36.9
(98.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1) 		6.0
(42.8) 		9.6
(49.3) 		15.7
(60.3) 		20.8
(69.4) 		23.9
(75.0) 		27.8
(82.0) 		29.4
(84.9) 		25.6
(78.1) 		20.2
(68.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		8.8
(47.8) 		17.3
(63.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0) 		2.1
(35.8) 		4.9
(40.8) 		10.4
(50.7) 		15.8
(60.4) 		19.8
(67.6) 		23.9
(75.0) 		25.1
(77.2) 		21.1
(70.0) 		15.5
(59.9) 		9.9
(49.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		13.0
(55.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.6
(30.9) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		1.0
(33.8) 		5.6
(42.1) 		11.1
(52.0) 		16.1
(61.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		21.6
(70.9) 		17.6
(63.7) 		11.8
(53.2) 		6.0
(42.8) 		1.6
(34.9) 		9.3
(48.7)
Record low °C (°F) −7.3
(18.9) 		−8.1
(17.4) 		−5.8
(21.6) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		2.7
(36.9) 		7.6
(45.7) 		13.4
(56.1) 		14.3
(57.7) 		7.8
(46.0) 		2.6
(36.7) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−8.1
(17.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 387.3
(15.25) 		233.3
(9.19) 		208.1
(8.19) 		136.8
(5.39) 		124.6
(4.91) 		174.3
(6.86) 		243.4
(9.58) 		237.9
(9.37) 		281.9
(11.10) 		293.6
(11.56) 		404.4
(15.92) 		474.4
(18.68) 		3,223.5
(126.91)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 204
(80) 		181
(71) 		62
(24) 		2
(0.8) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		72
(28) 		505
(199)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 25.2 20.1 18.9 13.1 11.5 12.1 14.5 11.5 14.8 15.8 19.2 23.9 200.6
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 16.4 15.7 6.5 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 6.6 45.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 41.3 70.3 118.9 175.2 198.5 142.7 140.0 185.8 129.2 126.9 96.7 57.2 1,478.3
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[7][8]
Climate data for Yasuzuka, Jōetsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4) 		19.8
(67.6) 		25.8
(78.4) 		31.0
(87.8) 		31.4
(88.5) 		34.0
(93.2) 		37.6
(99.7) 		37.6
(99.7) 		36.7
(98.1) 		32.9
(91.2) 		26.0
(78.8) 		21.7
(71.1) 		37.6
(99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.0
(39.2) 		4.8
(40.6) 		8.6
(47.5) 		15.7
(60.3) 		21.6
(70.9) 		24.6
(76.3) 		28.1
(82.6) 		29.8
(85.6) 		25.7
(78.3) 		19.8
(67.6) 		13.8
(56.8) 		7.3
(45.1) 		17.0
(62.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1) 		0.6
(33.1) 		3.2
(37.8) 		9.3
(48.7) 		15.5
(59.9) 		19.6
(67.3) 		23.6
(74.5) 		24.7
(76.5) 		20.6
(69.1) 		14.5
(58.1) 		8.5
(47.3) 		3.1
(37.6) 		12.0
(53.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.3
(27.9) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		3.7
(38.7) 		9.8
(49.6) 		15.2
(59.4) 		19.9
(67.8) 		20.7
(69.3) 		16.6
(61.9) 		10.3
(50.5) 		4.2
(39.6) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		7.8
(46.1)
Record low °C (°F) −10.9
(12.4) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−9.0
(15.8) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		1.1
(34.0) 		5.4
(41.7) 		12.7
(54.9) 		12.8
(55.0) 		6.0
(42.8) 		1.3
(34.3) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		−8.5
(16.7) 		−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 387.3
(15.25) 		229.5
(9.04) 		172.8
(6.80) 		114.1
(4.49) 		109.3
(4.30) 		150.0
(5.91) 		213.4
(8.40) 		194.0
(7.64) 		202.9
(7.99) 		207.8
(8.18) 		286.5
(11.28) 		411.5
(16.20) 		2,696.3
(106.15)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 293
(115) 		236
(93) 		125
(49) 		13
(5.1) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		2
(0.8) 		134
(53) 		799
(315)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 25.4 21.1 19.6 14.1 11.5 12.0 14.5 11.8 14.9 15.4 18.1 22.9 201.3
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 19.9 17.6 13.4 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3 9.7 62.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 42.2 61.8 107.9 163.7 193.7 142.1 136.8 181.4 129.3 126.8 101.3 61.1 1,444.1
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[9][10]

Demographics[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[11] the population of Jōetsu has declined over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 234,673—    
1970 217,679−7.2%
1980 216,320−0.6%
1990 212,248−1.9%
2000 211,870−0.2%
2010 203,899−3.8%
2020 188,047−7.8%

Toponymy[edit]

The kanji for Jōetsu combines 上 "upward", 越 "to surpass" and 市 "city", which can be misleading as the city is located in the southwestern part of Niigata Prefecture, closer to Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, as opposed to more northern areas in Niigata. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Echigo Province was divided into three sections. One portion was called Kami Echigo (上越後), which was translated as "Upper Echigo", due its geographical proximity to the capital city of Kyoto. After the establishment of prefectures throughout Japan, the region name was shortened to "Jōetsu" (上越). When referring to Jōetsu, it could refer to the actual geographical Jōetsu region, which encompasses the cities of Jōetsu, Myōkō and Itoigawa, or may simply refer to the city of Jōetsu .[12]

History[edit]

Yellow: 13 former municipalities merged into Joetsu in 2005.

The area of present-day Jōetsu has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the ruins of numerous Jōmon period and Kofun period settlements, tombs and fortifications have been found. The area was part of ancient Echigo Province, and the location of the Nara period provincial capital. During the Sengoku period, it was the center of the holdings of the Uesugi clan and notably Kasugayama Castle was the headquarters of the famed warlord Uesugi Kenshin. The Uesugi clan were transferred by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Aizu and the area later came under the Takada Domain during the Edo period Tokugawa Shogunate.

In 1614, Matsudaira Tadateru, the 6th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu was assigned to Echigo Province and ordered the construction of Takada Castle. The domain was later ruled by a number of fudai daimyō houses. The last daimyō of Takada Domain was Sakakibara Masataka, who sided with the imperial forces in the Boshin War of the Meiji restoration and who subsequently served as imperial governor until the abolition of the han system in 1871 by the Meiji government.

The towns of Takada and Naoetsu were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Takada was elevated to city status on September 1, 1911 and Naoetsu on June 1, 1954. Takada and Naoetsu merged to form the city of Jōetsu in 1971.

On January 1, 2005, Jōetsu annexed 13 neighbouring municipalities, expanding its area by four times. The municipalities that were annexed into consisted of the following: the town of Yasuzuka, the villages of Maki, Ōshima and Uragawara (all from Higashikubiki District); the towns of Itakura, Kakizaki, Ōgata and Yoshikawa, and the villages of Kiyosato, Kubiki, Nakagō and Sanwa (all from Nakakubiki District); and the town of and Nadachi (from Nishikubiki District).[13][14] On April 1, 2007, Jōetsu attained Special city status, which gives it greater local autonomy from the prefectural government.

Skiing in Japan[edit]

The victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 brought about newfound interest in Japanese military strategy which prompted European powers to send troops to Japan to study new methods of combat. One of the soldiers, an Austro-Hungarian major named Theodor von Lerch, made a profound difference to the Jōetsu locals as well as the nation itself by introducing the sport of skiing to Japan. On January 12, 1911, Lerch began his ski training on Mt. Kanaya. The participants consisted of both soldiers and civilians. Lerch taught using the "Stemboggen" method, which involved a single bamboo pole that served a dual purpose as a steering tool and as a brake. With the translation help of the IJA 13th Division commander Gaishi Nagaoka, the Takada Ski Club eventually amassed over 6,000 members in 1912. Soon after, skiing spread across the nation, especially in areas where snow dominated the landscape. It provided a new mode of transportation not only for the military, but for those who were rendered immobile by the seemingly impassible slopes of white. To commemorate his contribution, the Japan Ski Origins Museum was erected on Mt. Kanaya in time to coincide with the 80th anniversary of skiing's inception in Japan.[15]

World War II[edit]

During World War II, the city of Naoetsu was the site of a POW camp that garnered international focus from the best-selling biography, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand[16] and later, the movie adaptation, "Unbroken" in 2014. The book and movie focus on former Olympic track star Louis Zamperini and the brutal mistreatment of him and his fellow soldiers at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army corporal, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, infamously known as "The Bird". According to the book, Watanabe fled Naoetsu after the Allied forces invaded Japan and was never charged, despite being one of General Douglas MacArthur's top 40 most-wanted war criminals.

The Naoetsu POW camp also housed over 300 Australian soldiers, 60 of which died from sickness and poor living conditions. In October 1995, fifty years following the end of the war, the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Statues were founded and built by Jōetsu to promote peace and friendship. The following year, the Japan-Australia Society of Jōetsu was established with the purpose of educating future generations and maintaining a lasting relationship with Australian citizens abroad and living throughout Joetsu.[17]

Government[edit]

Joetsu City Hall

Jōetsu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 32 members. The city contributes five members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Niigata at-large district in the upper house of the National Diet of Japan, and Niigata 6th District in the lower house.

Economy[edit]

Jōetsu is a regional commercial and industrial centre, with heavy industry concentrated around the port of former Naoetsu, and light manufacturing and commerce around the former Takada area. The Jōetsu Thermal Power Station is an LNG-fired thermal power station operated by JERA in the city.

Education[edit]

Colleges and universities[edit]

Primary and secondary education[edit]

Jōetsu has 50 public elementary schools and 22 public junior high schools operated by the city government, one public elementary school and one junior high school operated by the national government. The city has eight public high schools, Joetsu High School and Sekine Gakuen High School, operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education and two private high schools. The prefecture also operates four special education schools.

Transportation[edit]

Railway[edit]

– Hokuriku Shinkansen

JR East - Shin'etsu Main Line

Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line

Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Myōkō Haneuma Line

Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Nihonkai Hisui Line

Highway[edit]

Ferry[edit]

Sado Kisen Naoetsu Terminal

The port of Ogi, on Sado Island, can be accessed by a jetfoil that runs 1-3 times a day from March 1 until November 15.

Local attractions[edit]

Places of Interest[edit]

Gangi-dori Street in Takada
  • Takada Castle: Three-story turret located in Takada Park
  • Kasugayama Castle: A castle ruin, main castle of Uesugi clan
  • Samegao Castle : A castle ruin of Uesugi clan.
  • Hida Sites, Yayoi period settlement ruins, National Historic Site
  • Takahashi Magozaemon Shouten: oldest running candy store in Japan
  • Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari
  • Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd.: one of the oldest wineries in Japan and birthplace of the grape Muscat Bailey A
  • Gangi Dori: 16 km alleyway of wooden eaves built to shelter pedestrians during heavy snowfall
  • Izumi Jomon Park: home to ruins from Japan's Jōmon Period[19]

Cultural Events[edit]

  • Takada Castle Million-Visitor Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Joetsu Lotus Festival
  • Joetsu Festival
  • Kenshin Festival
  • Echigo Kenshin Sake Festival
  • Lerch Festival
  • Candle Road[20]

Sister city relations[edit]

Notable people from Jōetsu[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/shiminka/jinko.html Jōetsu city official statistics] (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Jōetsu climate data
  3. ^ 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  4. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  5. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  6. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  7. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  8. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  9. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  10. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Jōetsu population statistics
  12. ^ リンク集：上越地域 [Joetsu Region Information]. Niigata Prefecture. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Takada jo sanju yagura (Takada Castle Three-story-Turret)". Jōetsu Kanko Navi. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  14. ^ "Sakaki Shrine". Jōetsu Kanko Navi. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  15. ^ "Japan Ski Origins Museum". Jōetsu Kanko Navi. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  16. ^ "Unbroken". laurahillenbrandbooks. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu". Japan-Australia Society of Joetsu. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  18. ^ "Number of Officials and Staff". Joetsu University of Education. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  19. ^ "Sightseeing Spots". Jōetsu Kanko Navi. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  20. ^ "Calendar of Events". Jōetsu Kanko Navi. Retrieved July 30, 2018.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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