Myōkō is located in an inland region of north-central Niigata Prefecture, on the border of Nagano Prefecture. It lies in mountain surroundings near the historical entrance to the Echigo Plains. The city is surrounded by five mountains. Madarao, Myōkō, Kurohime, Togakushi and Iizuna are collectively known as the Five Peaks of Northern Shinano. They make up the border of Nagano and Niigata Prefectures. Most of the city is covered with mountains and forests. As the city name implies, Mount Myōkō is in the city, much of which is within the borders of the Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park.
Surrounding municipalities
Niigata Prefecture
*Jōetsu
*Itoigawa
Nagano Prefecture
*Nagano
*Iiyama
*Shinano
*Otari
Climate
Myōkō has a Humid climate characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Myōkō is 13.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2357 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 1.8 °C.
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Myōkō has declined steadily over the past 40 years.
Census Year
Population
1970
44,158
1980
41,980
1990
41,072
2000
39,699
2010
35,457
History
The area of present-day Myōkō was part of ancient Echigo Province. During the Edo period the area was divided between the holdings of Takada Domain and tenryō territory administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate. With the creation of the modern municipalities system on June 26, 1890, the village of Arai was created within Nakakubiki District, Niigata. Arai was raised to town status on September 9, 1892 and to city status on November 1, 1954. The city of Myōkō was created on April 1, 2005, by the merger of the city of Arai with the town of Myōkōkōgen, and the village of Myōkō.
Economy
The economy of Myōkō is dependent on seasonal tourism, agriculture and forestry, and light manufacturing.
Note: Jōetsumyōkō station is actually in Jōetsu, 1.5 km away from the border with Myōkō.
Local attractions
Myōkōkōgen and the former village of Myōkō are famed for their ski resorts. The first of these, Akakura, was founded in the 1930s, making it one of the oldest established ski areas in the world. It is also a traditional mountain retreat of Japan's imperial family. The Myōkō Ski Area has nine main mountain resorts: Myōkō Akakura, Ikenotaira Onsen, Myōkō Suginohara, Seki Onsen, Kyukamura, Myōkō Ski Park, Lotte Arai Resort, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus.
Myōkō Kōgen is also well known for its many local onsen emanating from the Jigoku-dani valley between Mts. Myōkō and Mae.
