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is located on Honshu Island on the coast of the Sea Of Japan . The capital is the city of Niigata . The name Niigata literally means "New Lagoon". HISTORY Niigata prefecture was originally divided into Echigo Province and Sado Province until the Meiji Restoration . During the Sengoku period it was ruled by Uesugi Kenshin . Niigata-shi (the city) is the largest and most important among the cities which face the Sea Of Japan . It has been an important seaport since the opening of Japan by Matthew Perry in the mid-1800s, especially for trade with Russia and northern Korea , and was the first port on the Sea of Japan to be opened to foreign trade. The Etsuzankai organization, led by prime minister Tanaka Kakuei , was highly influential in bringing infrastructure improvements to Niigata in the 1960s and 1970s, including the Joetsu Shinkansen High Speed Rail line and Kanetsu Expressway to Tokyo . Today, Niigata is well-known for being visited by a freighter from and the communist country. On October 23 , 2004 , the Chuetsu Earthquake struck Niigata Prefecture, causing shaking measured at Shindo 6+ at Ojiya . On January 09 , 2006 , a heavy Winter Storm caused much trouble in the prefecture and its surroundings. At least 71 people died and over a thousand were injured. GEOGRAPHY Niigata prefecture stretches about 240 km along the Sea Of Japan from southwest to north east, with a coastal plain between the mountains and the sea. It also includes Sado Island . Because of the shape, Niigata prefecture is often called small Honshuu-Main Island. Depending on how you look at it, Niigata prefecture could be placed in either the Hokuriku or Koshinetsu regions, each considered part of the greater Chubu Region . The prefecture is generally divided into four geographical areas: Joetsu (in the south), Chuetsu (in the center), Kaetsu (in the north), and Sado Island . Niigata prefecture is home to the mouth of the Shinano River , the longest River in Japan . peasant farmer's house and Rice Paddy at the Northern Culture Museum, Niigata .]] Cities 20 cities are located in Niigata Prefecture. Towns and villages These are the towns and villages in each District . Mergers
ECONOMY Niigata is the principal Rice growing region of Japan based on gross output. Although rice production is widespread throughout Japan, Niigata accounts for 70% of the total value of the rice harvest and is the number one rice producing prefecture. The most prized variety of rice is ''Niigata Koshihikari''. Rice-related industries are also very important to the local economy. Niigata prefecture is known throughout Japan for its quality Sake , Senbei , and Mochi . The prefecture is famous as the original home of the ornamental Carp known as '' Koi '', and the best-quality ''koi'' are still considered to come from the farms of Niigata. The production volume of , Niigata produces the most Tulips in the country. Industrial production in Niigata includes a variety of machinery manufacturing, and particularly manufacturing of household and kitchen goods. DEMOGRAPHICS CULTURE TOURISM Tourism in Niigata centers around the popular winter activies of Skiing and going to Onsen , especially in the Yuzawa area. Sado Island is also another popular tourist spot. PREFECTURAL SYMBOLS MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS EXTERNAL LINKS
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