Niigata Population 2026
Niigata has a population of 797,591, making it the #16 biggest city in 🇯🇵 Japan, located in Niigata. Roughly 0.7% of Japan's population lives here. It is about 12× smaller than Tokyo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
797,591
Rank in Japan
#16
Coordinates
37.92°N, 139.04°E
~1 m elevation · Asia/Tokyo
Distance to capital (Tokyo)
255 km
158 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Niigata
| City | Population | Rank in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Nagaoka | 266,936 | #90 |
| Jōetsu | 189,430 | #131 |
| Shibata | 96,236 | #282 |
| Sanjō | 94,642 | #290 |
| Kashiwazaki | 86,183 | #318 |
| Tsubame | 77,382 | #355 |
| Niitsu-honchō | 65,910 | #424 |
| Murakami | 58,300 | #485 |
Cities near Niigata
- Kameda-honchō32,765 people · ~8 km away
- Niitsu-honchō65,910 people · ~15 km away
- Shirone41,406 people · ~18 km away
- Suibara20,392 people · ~19 km away
- Agano40,696 people · ~19 km away
- Maki29,041 people · ~24 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Niigata?
Niigata has a population of 797,591 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #16 biggest city in Japan.
What region is Niigata in?
Niigata is located in Niigata, Japan.
Is Niigata the capital of Japan?
No, the capital of Japan is Tokyo, about 255 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.