Minamiuonuma

Minamiuonuma (南魚沼市, Minamiuonuma-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2020, the city had an estimated population of 55,354 in20,047 households,[1] and a population density of 96.1 persons per km². The total area of the city was 584.55 square kilometres (225.70 sq mi).

Minamiuonuma

南魚沼市
City
Minamiuonuma City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Minamiuonuma in Niigata
Minamiuonuma
 
Coordinates: 37°3′55.9″N 138°52′33.9″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
PrefectureNIigata
Area
 • Total584.55 km2 (225.70 sq mi)
Population
 (December 1, 2020)
 • Total55,354
 • Density95/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeKobushi magnolia
• FlowerErythronium japonicum
Phone number0250-62-2510
Address180-1 Muika-machi, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata-ken 949-6696
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography
Paddy fields in Minamiuonuma

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

Climate

Minamiuonuma has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Minamiuonuma is 11.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1865 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.1 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Minamiuonuma peaked at around the year 1950 and has declined steadily since.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 51,366—    
1930 56,414+9.8%
1940 59,970+6.3%
1950 72,360+20.7%
1960 68,650−5.1%
1970 61,995−9.7%
1980 62,830+1.3%
1990 65,566+4.4%
2000 65,492−0.1%
2010 61,624−5.9%

History

[[file::Amalgamation Minamiuonuma jp.svg|right|thumb|Minamiuonuma amalgamation]] 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.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Minamiuonuma is twinned with:[4]

Local attractions
An aerial panorama of Urasa in Minami-Uonuma city with the Echigo-Sanzan mountains in the background

References
  1. Minamiuonuma city official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. Minamiuonuma climate data
  3. Minamiuonuma population statistics
  4. "姉妹都市交流" (in Japanese). Minamiuonuma. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
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