Matsunoyama, Niigata
Encyclopedia
was a town
located in Niigata Prefecture
, Japan
.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population
of 2,974 and a density
of 34.46 persons per km². The total area was 86.31 km².
On April 1, 2005 Matsunoyama, along with the town of Matsudai
, from Higashikubiki District
, the town of Kawanishi
, and the village of Nakasato
, both from Nakauonuma District
, was merged into the expanded city of Tōkamachi
. It is located on the southeastern portion of the city.
Matsunoyama is home to one of the big three medicinal hot springs
of Japan, along with Kusatsu (Gunma Prefecture
) and Arima Onsen
(Hyogo Prefecture
). One of the main roads in the town is lined with about a dozen traditional Japanese-style hot spring resorts, attracting many visitors.
According to legend, a woodcutter discovered the hot springs 700 years ago when he saw a hawk
resting its injured wing in it. It has also been told that the daughter of Uesugi Fusayoshi (the 15th century governor of Echigo Province, current Niigata Prefecture
) cured her skin disease by soaking in the hot springs.
Matsunoyama is also famous for the massive amount of snowfall it receives, with 2 to 3 meters on average during the severe winter months.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 2,974 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 34.46 persons per km². The total area was 86.31 km².
On April 1, 2005 Matsunoyama, along with the town of Matsudai
Matsudai, Niigata
was a town located in Higashikubiki District, Niigata, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 4,016 and a density of 44.39 persons per km²...
, from Higashikubiki District
Higashikubiki District, Niigata
Higashikubiki was a district located in Niigata, Japan. The district was founded when the former Kubiki District split into Higashikubiki District, Nakakubiki District, and Nishikubiki District...
, the town of Kawanishi
Kawanishi, Niigata
Kawanishi was a town located in Nakauonuma District, Niigata, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 7,829 and a density of 106.44 persons per km²...
, and the village of Nakasato
Nakasato, Niigata
Nakasato was a village located in Nakauonuma District, Niigata, Japan.As of 2003, the village had an estimated population of 6,171 and a density of 47.85 persons per km²...
, both from Nakauonuma District
Nakauonuma District, Niigata
is a district located in Niigata, Japan.As of April 1, 2005, the district has a population of 11,754. The area is now 372.80 km².The district has one village*Tsunan-History:...
, was merged into the expanded city of Tōkamachi
Tokamachi, Niigata
is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.As of November 31, 2010, the new city has an estimated population of 60,164. The total area of the new city is 589.92 km², including the post-Creation undefined boundary areas....
. It is located on the southeastern portion of the city.
Matsunoyama is home to one of the big three medicinal hot springs
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
of Japan, along with Kusatsu (Gunma Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.- History :The remains of a Paleolithic man were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.Japan was without horses until...
) and Arima Onsen
Arima Onsen
is an onsen, or hot springs in Kita-ku, Kobe, Japan. This Onsen is still a hidden treasure of modern Kobe, behind Mount Rokko. It attracts many Japanese who want tranquility with beautiful natural surroundings and yet easy access from the busy cities in Kansai metropolitan area including...
(Hyogo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
). One of the main roads in the town is lined with about a dozen traditional Japanese-style hot spring resorts, attracting many visitors.
According to legend, a woodcutter discovered the hot springs 700 years ago when he saw a hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
resting its injured wing in it. It has also been told that the daughter of Uesugi Fusayoshi (the 15th century governor of Echigo Province, current Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
) cured her skin disease by soaking in the hot springs.
Matsunoyama is also famous for the massive amount of snowfall it receives, with 2 to 3 meters on average during the severe winter months.