Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Tōkamachi has declined steadily over the past 50 years.

History

The area of present-day Tōkamachi was part of ancient Echigo Province, and was part of the tenryō territories held directly by then Tokugawa shogunate. Following the Meiji restoration, was the capital of the newly-formed Nakauonuma District of Niigata Prefecture, and was proclaimed a village on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on September 24, 1897. Tōkamachi gained city status on March 31, 1954, by merging with the neighbouring villages of Nakajō, Kawaji and Rokka. The village of Yoshida (from Nakauonuma District) was annexed on December 1, 1954 followed by the village of Shimojō (from Nakauonuma District) on February 1, 1955. On April 1, 1962 - Tōkamachi absorbed the village of Mizusawa (from Nakauonuma District). The Chūetsu earthquake of October 23, 2004 caused only minor damage to the city. On April 1, 2005 Tōkamachi absorbed the towns of Matsudai and Matsunoyama (both from Higashikubiki District); the town of Kawanishi, and the village of Nakasato (both from Nakauonuma District) to create the new and expanded city of Tōkamachi.

Government

thumb|Tokamachi City Hall

Tōkamachi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 24 members. The city contributes two members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata District No.6 of the lower house of the National Diet of Japan.

Economy

Sericulture and the production of silk is a traditional mainstay of the local economy. Tōkamachi's status as a silk production hub subsequently made it a prominent producer of kimonos, although that has faded in recent years.[https://www.tokamachishikankou.jp/en/event/kimonomatsuri/] Agriculture, notably the cultivation of koshihikari rice, is also an important local product.

Education

Tōkamachi has 18 public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government and one private elementary and one private middle school. There are four public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education. The prefectural also operates three special education schools.

Transportation

Railway

50px Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line

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20px JR East - – Iiyama Line

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Highway

Sister cities

International

  • Como, Italy, since 1975

Domestic

  • Sapporo, Hokkaido
  • Shibushi, Kagoshima
  • Wako, Saitama
  • Yokohama, Kanagawa
  • All signed on August 27, 2004

Notable people from Tōkamachi

  • Maki Miyamae, Japanese pop singer, professional chef and restaurateur
  • Toshiei Mizuochi, Japanese politician
  • Shuichi Shigeno, Japanese mangaka
  • Genichi Taguchi, Japanese engineer and statistician
  • Kōji Takahashi, Japanese actor

Local attractions

  • Tōkamachi is home to the , which takes place every February.
  • Tōkamachi also hosts the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial
  • Kiyotsu Gorge

<gallery mode="packed">

File:Tokamachi snow festival collage.jpg|Tokamachi snow festival

File:Matsunoyamamatsuguchi, Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture 942-1411, Japan - panoramio.jpg|Bijinbayashi

File:Kiyotsukyo 001.jpg|Kiyotsu Gorge

File:Hoshitoge.jpg|Hoshitoge Rice Terrace

File:TokamachiKinare.jpg|Kinare, an Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial site, late March

File:Matunoyama spa Hinanoyado Titose roten.jpg|Matsunoyama Onsen

</gallery>

References

  • Tokamachi City Government
  • Official English Site
  • Official Tourism Site
  • Tokamachi Tourist Association Official Website