# Shibata, Niigata

Shibata (新発田市, Shibata-shi) is a city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 December 2020, the city had an estimated population of 96,236 in 37,017 households, and a population density of 179 persons per km². The total area of the city was 533.10 square kilometres (205.83 sq mi).

## 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

* Fukushima Prefecture
** Kitakata
* Niigata Prefecture
** Aga
** Agano
** Kita-ku, Niigata
** Seiro
** Tainai
* Yamagata Prefecture
** Oguni

### 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.

## Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Shibata peaked around the year 2000 and has been in decline since then.

## 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.

## Government

Shibata has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 27 members. Shibata, together with the town of Seirō, collectively contributes three members to the Niigata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Niigata 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

## 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 19 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 for the handicapped. Keiwa College is also located in Shibata.

## Transportation
### Railway

JR East - Uetsu Main Line
* Tsukioka - Nakaura - Shibata - Kaji - Kanazuka
JR East - Hakushin Line
* Sasaki - Nishi-Shibata - Shibata

### Highway

* Nihonkai-Tōhoku Expressway
* National Route 7
* National Route 113
* National Route 290
* National Route 460

## Sister cities

* Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, friendship city
* St. James, Missouri, United States
* Orange City, Iowa, United States

## Local attractions

* Ijimino Park (五十公野公園, Ijimino kōen).
* 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
* Tsukioka Onsen (月岡温泉) hot spring
* Shimizuen garden
* Tsukioka Onsen