Nakanokuchi, Niigata

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Nakanokuchi was a village in Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In 2005 it had about 6,613 people living in 20.16 square kilometers, with a population density of about 328 people per square kilometer. On March 21, 2005, Nakanokuchi merged with nearby cities and towns to form the expanded city of Niigata. Since April 1, 2007, the area is part of Nishikan-ku, a ward of Niigata City.

Nakanokuchi is the birthplace of Haguroyama Masaji, the 36th Yokozuna in sumo. He was born in 1914, reached yokozuna in May 1941, and held the rank for about 12 years and 3 months—the longest stay at the top rank until surpassed by Hakuhō in 2019. He won seven top-division championships. In Nakanokuchi there is a Haguroyama museum and a bronze statue of him wearing his shimenawa, the rope that marks yokozuna status.