Ojiya, Niigata

Ojiya (小千谷市, Ojiya-shi) is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2019, the city had an estimated population of 34,704 in 12,758 households,[1] and a population density of 224 persons per km². The total area of the city was 155.19 square kilometres (59.92 sq mi).

Ojiya

小千谷市
City
Ojiya City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Ojiya in Niigata
Ojiya
 
Coordinates: 37°18′51.7″N 138°47′42.3″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu) (Hokuriku)
PrefectureNiigata
Area
 • Total155.19 km2 (59.92 sq mi)
Population
 (July 1, 2019)
 • Total34,704
 • Density220/km2 (580/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• FlowerNarcissus
• FishJapanese carp
Phone number0250-62-2510
Address2-7-5 Jonai, Ojiya-shi, Niigata-ken 947-8501
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

Ojiya is located in an inland region of central Niigata Prefecture at the southern end of the Echigo Plain. The Shinano River flows through the city. The area has very heavy snow in winter.

Ojiya city panorama

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Ojiya has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ojiya is 12.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2263 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.5 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ojiya has declined steadily over the past 40 years.

Census Year Population
1970 44,581
1980 44,963
1990 43,437
2000 41,641
2010 38,600

History
Cracked roadway caused by 2004 Chūetsu earthquake

The area of present-day Ojiya was part of ancient Echigo Province. During the Edo period, the area was largely tenryō territory administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate nd developed as a rive report on the Shinano River. The area was traditionally noted for its Ojiya chijimi, a type of linen fabric. After the Meiji restoration, the area was organised as part of Kitauonuma District, Niigata and the town of Ojiya was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on March 10, 1954. On October 23, 2004, the Chūetsu earthquake struck Ojiya, causing shaking measured at Intensity 6+ on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale and causing fatalities. Electricity was cut off for three days after the earthquake.

Government

Ojiya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members.

Economy
Nishikigoi carps in Ojiya Nishikigoi no sato

Ojiya is known for the birthplace of Nishikigoi carps, along with Yamakoshi.

Education

Ojiya has eight public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government. There are two public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education, and the prefecture also operates one special education school.

Transportation
National Route 291 and Ojiya

Railway

Highway

Local attractions
Ojiya Balloon Festival
Katakai Fireworks Festival
  • Ojiya Balloon Festival
  • Katakai Fireworks Festival
  • Ojiya Nishikigoi no sato

Notable people from Ojiya

References
  1. Ojiya city official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. Ojiya climate data
  3. Ojiya population statistics
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