Niigata Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan on the island of Honshū. The capital city is Niigata.
History.
Until after the Meiji Restoration, the area that is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province and Sado Province. 
Geography.
Niigata is next to Yamagata Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture and Fukushima prefecture. 
Niigata is the fifth largest prefecture in Japan by area. 
In winter, it snows a lot in Niigata, and winter sports are popular.
National Parks.
National Parks are established in about 25% of the total land area of the prefecture. including 
Shrines and Temples.
"Yahiko-jinja", "Kota-jinja", "Amatsu-jinja" and "Watatsu-jinja" are the chief Shinto shrines ("ichinomiya") in the prefecture.