Muramatsu, Niigata


Muramatsu was a town located in Nakakanbara District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. On January 1, 2006, Muramatsu was merged into the expanded city of Gosen. Current mail addresses read "Gosen City, Muramatsu", the Jikoji Zen Temple, the Sakurando Onsen Hot Spring, and its city park boasting several thousand cherry trees that bloom each year in April.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 20,066 and a density of 79.29 persons per km2. The total area was 253.07 km2.

History

The three-volume History of Muramatsu Town.
In May, 1946, a very large fire burned for more than eight hours, destroying 70% of the town, injuring fifty-nine and killing two. Much of the downtown district was destroyed and historical buildings lost.

Education

Muramatsu had five elementary schools, two middle schools, and a prefectural high school.

Transportation

Railway

In October 1923, the Kanbara Tetsudou established a railway in Muramatsu, including a new station and service north to Gosen City. The line then expanded south to Kamo City. The railway company was dissolved in 1999 and all train service in town suspended. The original wooden railway station was purchased and moved off-site to Yasuda City, where it was rebuilt as a small museum.

Highway