Yuzawa, Niigata


Yuzawa is a town located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 7,926, and a population density of 22.2 persons per km². The total area of the town was. The town is famous for its hot springs.

Geography

Yuzawa is located in southwestern Niigata Prefecture, in a mountainous area bordering northern Nagano Prefecture and northern Gunma Prefecture. Due to its geographical location between the Sea of Japan and the surrounding Japanese Alps it has one of the highest annual snowfalls in Japan. There are numerous ski resorts within the region. Mount Naeba is partly located within the town limits. Much of the town is within the borders of either the Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park or the Uonuma Renpo Prefectural Park.

Surrounding municipalities

Yuzawa has a Humid continental climate characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Yuzawa is 6.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1744 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 19.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around -5.1 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Yuzawa has remained steady over the past 40 years.
Census YearPopulation
19708,374
19809,514
19909,986
20009,130
20108,396

History

The area of present-day Yuzawa was part of ancient Echigo Province. The villages of Yuzawa, Futai, Asakai, Kandatsu, Tsuchidaru, and Mitsumata were created on 1 April 1889 as part of the modern municipalities system. On 1 November 1901, Futai and Asakai merged to become the village of Mikuni. Yuzawa, Mikuni, Kandatsu, Tsuchidaru, and Mitsumata merged on 1 April 1955 to become the town of Yuzawa.

Education

Yuzawa has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town no longer has a high school.

Transportation

Railway

– Jōetsu Shinkansen
JR East - Jōetsu Line
Hokuhoku Express - Hokuhoku Line

Ski resorts

There are a large number of ski resorts in the area. The town is served by the Echigo-Yuzawa and Gala-Yuzawa stations on the Jōetsu Shinkansen line, making it one of the most easily accessible winter sports areas from Tokyo, and the town's economy is reliant principally on skiing and snowboarding.

Cultural references

's classic novel Snow Country takes place in Yuzawa.