Akiha-ku, Niigata

Akiha-ku (秋葉区, Akiha-ku) is one of the eight wards of Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region of Japan. As of 1 September 2018^[update], the ward had an estimated population of 76,086 in 29,843 households ^[1] and a population density of 800 persons per km². The total area of the ward was 95.38 square kilometres (36.83 sq mi).

Akiha-ku 秋葉区
Ward
Akiha Ward
Niitsu Raiilway Museum
Location of Akiha-ku in Niigata City
Akiha-ku
Coordinates: 37°47′18.6″N 139°6′52.5″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kōshin'etsu, Hokuriku (Chūbu)
Prefecture	Niigata
City	Niigata
Area
• Total	95.38 km2 (36.83 sq mi)
Population  (September 2018)
• Total	76,086
• Density	800/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Address	2009 Hodojima, Akiha-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken 956-8601
Phone number	0250-23-1000
Climate	Cfa
Website	Official website

Akiha Ward Office

Geography

Akiha-ku is located in an inland region of north-central Niigata Prefecture. Both the Agano River and the Shinano River flow through the ward.

• 
  Agaura Bridge over the Agano River
• 
  Manganji Hasagi Street
• 
  Niitsu River and Niitsu Library

Surrounding municipalities

• Niigata Prefecture
  • Konan-ku, Niigata
  • Minami-ku, Niigata
  • Gosen
  • Agano
  • Tagami

Climate

Akiha-ku has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Akiha-ku is 13.2 °C (55.8 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,877.1 mm (73.90 in) with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.7 °C (78.3 °F), and lowest in January, at around 1.7 °C (35.1 °F).^[2]

Climate data for Akiha-ku,[a] Niigata, elevation 3 m (9.8 ft), (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	15.4 (59.7)	20.6 (69.1)	23.7 (74.7)	30.8 (87.4)	33.4 (92.1)	36.2 (97.2)	37.9 (100.2)	39.2 (102.6)	36.8 (98.2)	32.4 (90.3)	24.9 (76.8)	17.9 (64.2)	39.2 (102.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	4.7 (40.5)	5.5 (41.9)	10.0 (50.0)	16.6 (61.9)	22.3 (72.1)	25.7 (78.3)	29.2 (84.6)	31.1 (88.0)	27.0 (80.6)	20.9 (69.6)	14.1 (57.4)	7.8 (46.0)	17.9 (64.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	1.7 (35.1)	1.8 (35.2)	5.1 (41.2)	10.8 (51.4)	16.8 (62.2)	20.8 (69.4)	24.4 (75.9)	25.7 (78.3)	21.8 (71.2)	15.7 (60.3)	9.5 (49.1)	4.4 (39.9)	13.2 (55.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−1.3 (29.7)	−1.8 (28.8)	0.5 (32.9)	5.0 (41.0)	12.1 (53.8)	16.8 (62.2)	20.8 (69.4)	21.7 (71.1)	17.6 (63.7)	10.9 (51.6)	5.1 (41.2)	1.1 (34.0)	9.0 (48.3)
Record low °C (°F)	−15.1 (4.8)	−12.6 (9.3)	−13.2 (8.2)	−2.6 (27.3)	2.8 (37.0)	9.2 (48.6)	13.5 (56.3)	13.1 (55.6)	8.2 (46.8)	1.0 (33.8)	−3.6 (25.5)	−11.1 (12.0)	−15.1 (4.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	189.0 (7.44)	120.9 (4.76)	109.9 (4.33)	95.4 (3.76)	90.5 (3.56)	123.8 (4.87)	225.6 (8.88)	159.8 (6.29)	148.1 (5.83)	151.8 (5.98)	216.0 (8.50)	246.3 (9.70)	1,877.1 (73.90)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	104 (41)	86 (34)	22 (8.7)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	trace	38 (15)	249 (98)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches)	31 (12)	34 (13)	12 (4.7)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	14 (5.5)	43 (17)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	22.0	17.7	16.8	12.5	10.8	10.6	13.0	10.7	12.4	14.1	18.5	22.1	181.2
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm)	10.2	8.8	2.6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.1	4.0	25.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours	53.7	74.5	123.2	169.5	199.3	167.4	153.7	199.7	145.8	133.2	89.9	57.6	1,564
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][2]

History

The area of present-day Akiha-ku was part of ancient Echigo Province. The modern towns of Niitsu and Kosudo were established on April 1, 1889 within Nakakanbara District with the establishment of the municipalities system. Niitsu was raised to city status on January 1, 1951. The city of Niigata annexed Niitsu and Kosudo on March 21, 2005. Niigata became a government-designated city on April 1, 2007 and was divided into wards, with the new Akiha Ward consisting of the former city of Niitsu and former town of Kosudo.

• 
  Central Niitsu
• 
  Central Kosudo

Education

University

• Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences

Primary and secondary education

Akiha-ku has 13 public elementary schools and six public middle schools operated by the Niigata city government. The ward has three public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

JR East - Shin'etsu Main Line

• (Kameda) - Ogikawa - Satsukino - Niitsu - Furutsu - Yashiroda - (Tagami)

JR East - Ban'etsu West Line

• Niitsu - Higashi-Niitsu - Shinseki - (Kita-Gosen)

JR East - Uetsu Main Line

• Niitsu

Highways

• Ban-etsu Expressway
• National Route 403
• National Route 460

Points of interest

• Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden
• Niitsu Railway Museum