Myōkō has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Myōkō is 11.9 °C (53.4 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,924.4 mm (75.76 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.4 °C (75.9 °F), and lowest in January, at around 0.0 °C (32.0 °F).[3]
Climate data for Sekiyama, Myōkō (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Myōkō has declined steadily over the past 60 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1960
49,859
—
1970
44,158
−11.4%
1980
41,980
−4.9%
1990
41,072
−2.2%
2000
39,699
−3.3%
2010
35,457
−10.7%
2020
30,383
−14.3%
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 (both from Nakakubiki District).
Economy
The economy of Myōkō is dependent on seasonal tourism, agriculture and forestry, and light manufacturing.
Government
Myōkō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members. Myōkō contributes one member to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Education
Myōkō has nine public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
A 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.[6] 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 (which boasts the longest ski run in Japan), Seki Onsen, Kyukamura, Myōkō Ski Park, Lotte Arai Resort, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus.[7]
Myōkō Kōgen is also well known for its many local onsen (hot springs) emanating from the Jigoku-dani valley between Mts. Myōkō and Mae.[8]