Jōetsu

Japan

Also known as: Jyoetsu

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Britannica Editors

History

Jōetsu, city, southwestern Niigata ken (prefecture), Honshu, Japan. It lies on the lower reaches and mouth of the Ara River on the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The city was formed for reasons of industrial planning by the amalgamation of Naoetsu and Takada.

Takada was a castle town that prospered as a commercial centre after the early 17th century. It served as a garrison from 1868 to the end of World War II. Traditional industries include the manufacture of textiles and agricultural implements. More recently, the city has been known for its production of skis.

Naoetsu was an important port on the Sea of Japan during the Kamakura period (1192–1333). It experienced a decline in the early 1600s and was known merely as an outport for the more-prosperous Takada. The arrival of two railway lines in 1898 and 1914 revived the port, and the city rapidly industrialized. Besides skis, its products include chemicals, metal, machinery, and processed foods. Pop. (2010) 203,899; (2015) 196,987.