Niigata.

Niigata. a seaport of western Japan, situated on a narrow strip of land at the mouth of the Shinano River, was opened to foreign trade in 1859. The harbour does not admit of the entrance of vessels of foreign build, and the roadstead is exposed; the foreign trade has therefore remained only nominal. The apples and water-melons of the province are noted for their excellence. Pop. (1889) 40,778.