Trivia and fun facts about Niigata Prefecture: history, industries, and even some surprising national number ones?
In this article, we’ll be sharing lots of fun facts about Niigata Prefecture! From industry, agriculture, and history and culture to more casual topics like local gourmet foods, we’ve gathered a wide range of trivia related to Niigata.
We’ll also provide explanations for each piece of trivia throughout the article.
Please use this as a reference and deepen your knowledge! We think there will be things that even residents of Niigata will learn for the first time here, not just those from outside the prefecture—so please enjoy reading along.
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Trivia and fun facts about Niigata Prefecture: history, industries, and some surprising national number ones? (1–10)
Niigata Prefecture has the most Shinto shrines in Japan.
Niigata Prefecture has the largest number of Shinto shrines in Japan.
One reason is that during the Meiji era, Niigata had the largest population in the country and a high number of farming households.
Villages built shrines to pray for bountiful harvests, leading to a proliferation of shrines.
In addition, when the government implemented policies in the Meiji era to reduce the excessive number of shrines, Niigata is said to have been reluctant to comply.
As a result, many shrines remained.
There are various theories like these as to why Niigata has so many shrines.
When you visit Niigata, touring its shrines could be quite interesting.
In Niigata Prefecture, “Italian” refers to a dish of Chinese-style noodles topped with tomato sauce.
Generally, when people think of Italian food, they picture pizza, pasta, and risotto.
But in Niigata Prefecture, “Italian” refers to a completely different dish! It’s stir-fried Chinese-style noodles coated with sauce and topped with tomato sauce.
This Niigata-style “Italian” originated at a restaurant called Mikazuki, where it was created as a quirky take on yakisoba.
Besides tomato sauce, there are variations with meat sauce or curry sauce.
It’s a beloved local specialty among Niigata residents.
At the Katakai Festival in Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest launched fireworks are set off.
Fireworks are a quintessential symbol of summer.
At the Katakai Festival held in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest fireworks—recognized by Guinness—are launched.
The Katakai Festival is also known as the Fireworks Festival.
It is a traditional event that has continued for 400 years since the mid-Edo period.
The world-class, perfectly spherical four-shaku shell expands to a diameter of about 800 meters when it bursts.
The fireworks are offerings to Asahara Shrine in Ojiya, made by individuals and companies.
They are launched with prayers and wishes—such as for health, memorials for the deceased, and celebrations of children’s births—and dedicated as offerings.
Niigata Prefecture is the birthplace of Nishikigoi (koi carp).
Named after its beautiful patterns that resemble luxurious silk textiles, Nishikigoi (koi carp) captivate enthusiasts not only in Japan but around the world.
In fact, they originated in Niigata Prefecture! Their history dates back to the Edo period, and the area around present-day Ojiya and Nagaoka is considered the birthplace.
It’s said that breeding began by cultivating koi that were natural mutations from ordinary carp.
Koi farming continued to flourish within Niigata, and by the early Showa era they were even being exported overseas.
Today, there are said to be as many as 130 varieties of Nishikigoi.
“Hegi” in hegi soba refers to a wooden serving tray.
Hegisoba, which has even been featured on television, has recently become well-known throughout Japan.
Hegisoba is a local specialty of Niigata Prefecture; it uses funori seaweed as a binding agent for the buckwheat noodles, giving them a distinctive flavor and a smooth, firm, springy texture.
Do you know what “hegi” means in hegisoba? In fact, “hegi” refers to a wooden serving tray made from peeled wooden boards.
It’s said that the verb haku (to peel) shifted in pronunciation to hegu.
These trays were originally used at sericulture sites, which were once widespread in Japan, and were repurposed for serving soba.
The tray, made from peeled wooden boards, is piled with enough soba for three to four people.
It’s common for everyone to gather around and share hegisoba together.