It is designated as a reform base for the large scale agriculture under (National Strategic Special Zones of Japan [ja]) initiatives.

With a long history as a port town, Niigata served the function of the network junction between the maritime traffic and those of Shinano and Agano river systems.

Bandai bridge, NEXT21, Toki Messe, Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata Nippo Media Ship are considered to be the key symbol landmarks in the city (see: Local attractions).

Niigata is situated on a fertile coastal plain on the Sea of Japan coast, facing Sado Island.

Niigata City's low elevation and abundant water have made flood control and land reclamation important issues for the area throughout its history.

However, due to high precipitation, it receives more yearly snowfall than cities with continental climates such as Moscow, Montreal or Oslo.

[6] The rainy season in July brings large amounts of rain, while the winter months, especially November and December, also have much precipitation.

[citation needed] Typhoons usually bring strong foehn winds to this area, generally causing somewhat higher temperatures than in other parts of Japan.

[12] During this period, the courses of the Shinano and Agano rivers gradually changed until they poured into the Sea of Japan at the same location.

As a result, the volume of water flowing into the port of Niigata decreased, which in turn allowed land reclamation efforts and the development of new rice fields to proceed.

The port also served as a valuable base for fishermen who roamed as far north as the Kamchatka Peninsula to catch salmon and other fish.

In 1886, the first Bandai Bridge was built across the Shinano River to connect the settlements of Niigata on the west and Nuttari on the east.

During World War II, Niigata's strategic location between the capital of Tokyo and the Sea of Japan made it a key point for the transfer of settlers and military personnel to the Asian continent, including Manchukuo.

In 1945, near the end of the war, Niigata was one of four cities, together with Hiroshima, Kokura, and Nagasaki, picked as targets for the atomic bombs if Japan did not surrender.

There were several theories about the reasons that Niigata was lowered in the priority, such as poor weather conditions, its distance from B-29 bases in the Mariana Islands, and other factors.

[14] A devastating Typhoon Louise and fire in 1955 destroyed much of the downtown area, but eventually the city recovered.

In 1958, construction of the relocated Niigata Station was completed, extending the downtown area from Bandai Bridge.

In 1965, the Agano River running through Niigata was polluted with methylmercury from the chemical plant of the Showa Electrical Company.

Big Swan Stadium in Niigata City hosted three games during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The size and the population of Niigata city increased over the four-year period between 2001 and 2005, due to a series of municipal mergers.

The destinations of the passenger services available at the port of Niigata include Ryotsu on Sado island, Otaru, Akita, Tsuruga.