Higashi-ku, Niigata

Template:Infobox city Japan Higashi-ku (東区, lit. "eastern ward") is one of the eight wards of Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The ward was created on April 1, 2007 when Niigata became a government-designated city.

Geography

Higashi-ku is located in the north of Niigata City, directly east of the central Chūō-ku. The Sea of Japan is located north of the ward. The Shinano River is to the west. In the south is the Nihonkai-Tōhoku Expressway. The Agano River in the eastern part of the ward draws the border to the neighboring Kita-ku.

Along with Chūō-ku, nearly all of Higashi-ku was a part of Niigata City before the merger with much of the surrounding area, which took place when Niigata became a government-designated city in 2007.

Today, most housing districts are located in the northern and southern parts of the ward, while the center consists mainly of business and manufacturing districts.

After Chūō-ku, Higashi-ku is the second smallest ward in Niigata City, making up about 5% of the total land area. It ranks third for largest population, with about 17% of Niigata's residents living in the Higashi-ku.

Niigata Airport and Niigata Harbor are located in Higashi-ku.