Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Minamiuonuma (南魚沼市, Minamiuonuma-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The city had an estimated population density of 96.1 persons per km². The total area of the city was 584.55 square km (225.70 sq mi).

Geography Minamiuonuma is situated in a valley in a mountainous region of Niigata Prefecture known as “Snow Country” because of the heavy snowfall in winter. The city is bounded by Uonuma and the Echigo-Sanzan mountains in the north, and Yuzawa, a popular ski resort town, in the south. The Uono River flows through most of the city. The city and its surrounding areas are dotted with many onsen (hot springs) and ski resorts, making it a popular destination in winter. There are also a large number of paddy fields, and popular seasonal fruit like watermelon, as this is part of the major koshihikari rice-growing region in Japan. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park.

Surrounding municipalities Niigata Prefecture ◦ Uonuma ◦ Tōkamachi ◦ Yuzawa; Gunma Prefecture ◦ Minakami

History The area of present-day Minamiuonuma was part of ancient Echigo Province. The village of Muikamachi was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889 and was raised to town status on July 13, 1900. The city of Minamiuonuma was established on November 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns Muikamachi with the neighboring town of Yamato (both from Minamiuonuma District). On October 1, 2005, the town of Shiozawa (from Minamiuonuma District) was also merged into Minamiuonuma.

Government Minamiuonuma has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. Minamiuonuma, together with the town of Yuzawa, contributes two members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Minamiuonuma is based primarily on agriculture and seasonal tourism.

Education Minamiuonuma has 17 public elementary schools and four 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 operate one special education school for the handicapped. The International University of Japan is based at Minamiuonuma.

Transport: Rail • East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Jōetsu Shinkansen ◦ Urasa Station • JR East - Jōetsu Line ◦ Ishiuchi - Ōsawa - Jōetsu International Skiing Ground - Shiozawa - Muikamachi - Itsukamachi - Urasa - Yairo • Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line ◦ Muikamachi - Uonuma-Kyūryō.

Transport: Road • Kan-etsu Expressway – Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC, Muikamachi IC • National Route 17 • National Route 253 • National Route 291 • National Route 353.

Local attractions • Sakado Castle ruins, a National Historic Site • Hakkaisan Ropeway, aerial lift that climbs Mount Hakkai • Untoan Temple, Buddhist temple • Shiozawajuku, old shopping street.