is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan on the island of Honshū. The capital city is Niigata.
History
Until after the Meiji Restoration, the area that is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province and Sado Province.
Geography
Niigata is next to Yamagata Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture and Fukushima prefecture.
Niigata is the fifth largest prefecture in Japan by area.
In winter, it snows a lot in Niigata, and winter sports are popular.
National Parks
National Parks are established in about 25% of the total land area of the prefecture. including Bandai-Asahi National Park
Shrines and Temples
Yahiko-jinja, Kota-jinja, Amatsu-jinja and Watatsu-jinja are the chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) in the prefecture.