Nishi-ku, Niigata

Nishi-ku (西区) is one of the eight wards of Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region of Japan. , the ward had an estimated population of 161,884 in 68,119 households and a population density of 1700 persons per km2. The total area of the ward was 94.09 sqkm.

Geography
Nishi-ku is located in a central Niigata city, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the north. The Shinano River flow through the ward.

Surrounding municipalities

 * Niigata Prefecture
 * Chūō-ku, Niigata
 * Kōnan-ku, Niigata
 * Minami-ku, Niigata
 * Nishikan-ku, Niigata

History
The area of present-day Nishi-ku was part of ancient Echigo Province. The village of Kurosaki (黒埼) was founded on November 1, 1901 by the merger of five villages, and was raised to town status on February 1, 1973. It was annexed by Niigata city on January 1, 2001. The villages of Uchino (内野), Akatsuka (赤塚) and Nakanokoya (中野小屋) were also established on November 1, 1901. Uchino was raised to town status on October 1, 1928 and was annexed by Niigata city on January 11, 1960. Niigata annexed Akatsuka and Nakanokoya on June 1, 1961. Niigata became a government-designated city on April 1, 2007 and was divided into wards, with the new Nishi Ward consisting of the former towns of Kurosaki and Uchino, and villages of Akatsuka and Nakanokoya.

Universities and colleges

 * Niigata University (Ikarashi Campus)
 * Niigata University of International and Information Studies
 * Meirin College
 * Niigata College of Technology

Secondary schools
Nishi-ku has eight public middle schools operated by the Niigata city government. The ward has three public high schools operated by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education, one private high school and one private combined middle/high school.

Railway
JR East - Echigo Line
 * Aoyama - Kobari - Terao - Niigata Daigaku-mae - Uchino - Uchino-Nishigaoka - Echigo-Akatsuka

Transit bus

 * Transit bus operated by Niigata Kotsu
 * BRT "Bandai-bashi Line"
 * C2 / C3
 * W1 / W2 / W3 / W4 / W5 / W6 / W7 / W8

Water Shuttle

 * Shinanogawa Water Shuttle: (Minatopia) - - - (Niigata Prefectural office) - Furusato Village

Highway

 * [[file:JP Expressway E8.svg|20px]] Hokuriku Expressway

Places

 * NIIGATA FURUSATO VILLAGE
 * Sakata Lagoon

Events

 * Sea of Japan Sunset Concert
 * Kurosaki Festival