Myōkō (妙高市; -shi) is located in Niigata, Japan on the border of Nagano Prefecture. It lies in mountain surroundings near the historical entrance to the Echigo Plains within easy reach of Tokyo. As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 38,899 and a population density of 87.31 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 445.52 km². The former city of Arai was founded on November 1, 1954.