Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Sanjō peaked at around 1985 and has declined steadily since.

History

thumb|Honjoji temple

The area of present-day Sanjō was part of ancient Echigo Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of Sanjō Domain, a feudal domain under the Tokugawa shogunate from 1598 to 1651. Afterwards, it was divided between Nagaoka Domain, Murakami Domain and tenryō territory administered directly by the shogunate. After the start of the Meiji period, the area was organised as part of Minamikanbara District, Niigata. The town of Sanjō was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on January 1, 1934. Heavy rain caused extensive flooding in 1961 and in 2004. On May 1, 2005, the town of Sakae, and the village of Shitada (both from Minamikanbara District) were merged into Sanjō.

Government

thumb|Sanjō City Hall

Sanjō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. On November 8, 2020, attorney Ryo Takizawa was elected to become the next mayor of Sanjō.

Economy

thumb|Tsubamesanjo Regional Industries Promotion Center Research Core

Sanjō is traditionally known for its iron crafts, notably knives and scissors. The following are headquartered in Sanjō.

  • Asano (manufacturer of commercial fishing equipment)
  • Marunao (manufacturer of chopsticks)
  • Snow Peak (manufacturer of high-end camping equipment)
  • Suwada (manufacturer of nail care instruments)

It is also one of the municipalities where a local Factory Festival takes place once per year in October (Kouba no Saiten).

Education

Sanjō has 25 public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government. There are four public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education, and the prefecture also operates one special education school.

Transportation

Railway

20px JR East - Jōetsu Shinkansen

20px JR East - Shin'etsu Main Line

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20px JR East - Yahiko Line

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Highway

  • 20px Hokuriku Expressway – Sanjō IC

Sister cities

  • Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, since October 18, 1993
  • Ezhou, China, since April 28, 1994
  • Kumi Mizuno (motion picture actress)
  • Tetsuji Morohashi (lexicographer)

References

  • Official Website
  • Slow and Steady Shitada, official website for the Shitada area of Sanjo, featuring many outdoor destinations and activities