Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Myōkō has declined steadily over the past 60 years.

History

The area of present-day Myōkō was part of ancient Echigo Province. During the Edo period the area was divided between the holdings of Takada Domain and tenryō territory administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate. With the creation of the modern municipalities system on June 26, 1890, the village of Arai was created within Nakakubiki District, Niigata. Arai was raised to town status on September 9, 1892 and to city status on November 1, 1954. The city of Myōkō was created on April 1, 2005, by the merger of the city of Arai with the town of Myōkōkōgen, and the village of Myōkō (both from Nakakubiki District).

Economy

The economy of Myōkō is dependent on seasonal tourism, agriculture and forestry, and light manufacturing.

Government

Myōkō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members. Myōkō contributes one member to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Education

Myōkō has nine public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railway

15px – Hokuriku Shinkansen

25px Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Myōkō Haneuma Line

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25px Shinano Railway - Kita-Shinano Line

Highway

  • 20px Jōshin-etsu Expressway – Myōkō IC

Note: Jōetsumyōkō station is actually in Jōetsu, 1.5&nbsp;km away from the border with Myōkō.

Local attractions

Myōkō Kōgen 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, Lotte Arai Resort, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus.

In November 2023, Singaporean real estate investment firm Patience Capital Group acquired the Myōkō Suginohara Ski Resort and outsourced its operations to Seibu Holdings. The company plans to invest 200 billion yen over 10 years to transform Myōkō Kōgen into a year-round tourist destination, attracting several luxury hotels. Some locals, however, fear that Myōkō's skyrocketing real estate prices will lead to higher taxes and increased cost of living, turning Myōkō into a resort similar to Niseko.

  • Myōkō Kōgen is also well known for its many local onsen (hot springs) emanating from the Jigoku-dani valley between Mts. Myōkō and Mae.
  • Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun Group is a Kofun period National Historic Site
  • Kanzuri, a traditional fermented condiment, is made in Myōkō.
  • Samegao Castle, ruins of a Sengoku period castle and National Historic Site
  • Hida Sites, Yayoi period archaeological site and National Historic Site

Sister cities

Myōkō is twinned with:

  • Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
  • Zermatt, Switzerland

References

  • Official Website
  • Travel Website