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 & Fun Facts about Niigata Prefecture: History, Industry, and Some Surprising Nation-Leading Facts? (11–20)
There is no city called “Tsubame-Sanjō City.”
There is a Shinkansen station called Tsubame-Sanjo Station in Niigata Prefecture.
You might wonder, “Is there a city called Tsubame-Sanjo?” However, there is no such city in Niigata.
Tsubame City and Sanjo City are said to have been in a rivalrous relationship for over 300 years.
In the past, Tsubame was a town of craftsmen and Sanjo was a town of merchants; goods made in Tsubame were sold in Sanjo.
However, since Sanjo also produced handicrafts and sold Tsubame’s goods at low prices, relations apparently deteriorated.
When the name of the Shinkansen station was decided, both cities voiced their opinions, and it became Tsubame-Sanjo Station.
Incidentally, the name of the highway interchange, which was built before the Shinkansen, is the reverse: Sanjo-Tsubame Interchange.
The model for Niigata Prefecture’s mascot character, Mr. Lerch, is a real person.
Mr.
Lerch, the mascot character of Niigata Prefecture.
With his distinctive yellow hat and outfit, he has facial features that evoke a foreigner.
He is said to be involved in promoting Niigata’s ski resorts and tourist attractions.
Although he’s a mascot character, he gives off a somewhat surreal vibe, doesn’t he? In fact, Mr.
Lerch is modeled after a foreign person.
The model is Mr.
Lecher (Lehr), a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who taught skiing in Joetsu City, Niigata.
Because he was the first to teach skiing in Japan, the mascot Mr.
Lerch also has the nickname “Japan’s Original Ski Man.”
There are five types of flavors in Niigata ramen.
When you think of Niigata, you might picture rice and seafood, but did you know it’s also a fiercely competitive ramen hotspot? Niigata Prefecture is home to many delicious ramen shops, from classic styles to bowls with unique character.
There are five distinct ramen styles in Niigata, each reflecting the history and local culture of the area where it’s served.
For example, Tsubame City’s Tsubame back-fat ramen is known for adding pork back fat to keep the soup from cooling during frequent factory deliveries, and the noodles are made thick to prevent them from getting soggy.
Recently, beyond these five types, new styles of ramen have also been gaining attention.
If you have the chance, be sure to savor Niigata’s ever-evolving ramen scene.
In Niigata Prefecture, there is a strawberry-flavored ice cream that contains apple juice.
Have you heard of Momotarō Ice? From the name, you might imagine a peach-flavored ice pop, but the Momotarō Ice sold in Niigata Prefecture is strawberry-flavored.
It even has a hint of apple added.
You may be wondering, “Where’s the peach element?” In fact, at festivals in Niigata during the early Shōwa era, red-syrup shaved ice treats were sold at stalls and booths.
These frozen treats were shaped like an upside-down heart, which people affectionately called “peach-shaped.” Over time, stick-based frozen treats came to be called “Momotarō.” Around the 1940s–50s, a company in Niigata commercialized the product, and it became the strawberry-flavored Momotarō Ice known today.
The name “Koshihikari” comes from an old name for Niigata Prefecture.
Koshihikari is strongly associated with Niigata Prefecture, partly thanks to the fame of Uonuma-grown Koshihikari.
However, Koshihikari actually originated in Fukui Prefecture, where it was also named.
To breed rice resistant to disease, varieties primarily cultivated in western Japan were crossed with leading Hokuriku varieties in Niigata Prefecture.
In Fukui, development progressed using seeds received from an experimental station.
The region that includes Niigata and Fukui was once called the Land of Koshi.
The name “Koshihikari” embodies the wish for a variety that would shine brightly in the Land of Koshi.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a bunch of fun facts about Niigata Prefecture all at once.
From industry and agriculture to local cuisine and Japan’s number-one records, you probably discovered lots of trivia you didn’t know before.
Take this opportunity to learn plenty of these tidbits and impress your friends and family!