Shibata, Niigata

Shibata (新発田市, Shibata-shi) is a city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2019, the city had an estimated population of 95,653 in 36,569 households,[1] and a population density of 179 persons per km². The total area of the city was 533.10 square kilometres (205.83 sq mi).[2]

Shibata

新発田市
City
Camp Shibata, Shibata Castle
Kingyo Daiwa, Shimizu-en
Tsukioka Onsen, Zoni
Flag
Seal
Location of Shibata in Niigata Prefecture
Shibata
 
Coordinates: 37°56′52.5″N 139°19′38.2″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
PrefectureNiigata
Area
 • Total533.10 km2 (205.83 sq mi)
Population
 (July 1, 2019)
 • Total95,653
 • Density180/km2 (460/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeSakura
• FlowerIris
Phone number0254-22-3030
Address3-3-3 Chūōchō, Shibata-shi, Niigata-ken 957-8686
WebsiteOfficial website
Shibata City Hall

Geography

Shibata is located in a mostly inland region of north-central Niigata Prefecture on the northern end of the Echigo Plain, with a small shoreline of the Sea of Japan.

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Shibata has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Shibata is 13.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1920 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 1.2 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Shibata has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.

Census Year Population
1970 101,245
1980 102,134
1990 104,499
2000 106,016
2010 101,202

History

The area of present-day Shibata was part of ancient Echigo Province. The area developed as a castle town for Shibata Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, the area was organized into Kitakanbara District, Niigata. The town of Shibata was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to city status on January 1, 1947. On July 7, 2003 the town of Toyoura (from Kitakanbara District) was merged into Shibata. Likewise, on May 1, 2005 the town of Shiunji, and the village of Kajikawa (both from Kitakanbara District) were merged into Shibata.[2]

Government

Shibata has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 27 members.

Economy

The economy of Shibata is dominated by the agricultural sector, with rice as the primary crop. Industries include sake brewing and plastics components production.

Education

Shibata has 22 public elementary schools and 10 public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city has seven public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education, and the prefecture also operates one special education school. Keiwa College is also located in Shibata.

Transportation

Railway

JR East - Uetsu Main Line

JR East - Hakushin Line

Highway

Sister city relations

Local attractions
  • Shibata Castle (新発田城, Shibata-jō) is the main visitor attraction and provide the backdrop to the spring cherry blossom viewing parties.
  • Shimizuen (清水園) Garden
  • Ijimino Park (五十公野公園, Ijimino kōen).
  • Tsukioka Onsen (月岡温泉) hot spring
  • Shimizuen garden
  • Tsukioka Onsen

References
  1. Shibata city official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. Shibata official profile(in Japanese)
  3. Shibata climate data
  4. Shibata population statistics
  5. Prefecture "International Exchange" Check |url= value (help). List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Retrieved 1 July 2016.
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