Niigata

Niigata (新潟市, Niigata-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [niː.ɡa.ta, -taꜜ.ɕi, niː.ŋa-]) is a city located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture (Kaetsu area [ja]). It is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, and one of the cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, located in the Chūbu region of Japan. It is the most populous city on the west coast of Honshu, and the second most populous city in the Chūbu region after Nagoya. It faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island. As of 1 September 2022, the city had an estimated population of 779,049, and a population density of 1,072 persons per km. The total area is 726.45 square kilometres (280.48 sq mi). Greater Niigata, the Niigata Metropolitan Employment Area, has a GDP of US$43.3 billion as of 2010.

It is the only government-designated city on the west coast of Honshu. It has the greatest habitable area of cities in Japan (list of Japanese cities by area [ja]). It is designated as a reform base for the large scale agriculture under (National Strategic Special Zones of Japan [ja]) initiatives.