Itoigawa, Niigata

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**Itoigawa**
**糸魚川市**
Itoigawa's location in Niigata, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Hokuriku, Kōshin'etsu)
Prefecture	Niigata
Physical characteristics
Area	746.24 km² (288.12 sq mi)
Population (as of January 2008)
Total	48,653
Density	65.2 /km² (169 /sq mi)
Location	37°2′N, 137°52′E
Symbols
Tree	Sasayuri (Lilium japonicum)
Flower	Ume
Flag
Itoigawa Government Office
Mayor	Tōru Yoneda
Address	〒941-8501 1-2-5 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata-ken
Phone number	025-552-1511
Official website: City of Itoigawa

Itoigawa (糸魚川市, Itoigawa-shi^?) is a city located in rustic southern Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 48,653 and the density of 65.2 persons per km². The total area is 746.24 km².

The city was founded on June 1, 1954. On April 1, 2005 it merged with the neighouring towns of Nō and Ōmi.

Historically Itoigawa lies at the end of the famous shio no michi (salt road) that supplied salt to ancient Edo (Tokyo) via Nagano. In 2011 the city will be a main stop on the new Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line, bringing Tokyo within approximately three hours travelling. Itoigawa is also famous for its jade which can be found on local beaches.

Itoigawa is also well known for its unique bugaku, a variety of traditional Japanese performance art. Itoigawa Bugaku can be seen at festivals taking place at Hakusan Shrine and Amatsu Shrine, and has been nationally designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.