Higashi Ward in Niigata City is located on the east side of the Shinano River estuary. The north side of the ward faces the Sea of Japan, with the Shinano River and Kurinoki River to the west and the Agano River to the east, crossing the east and west. It is home to Niigata Airport and a port, connecting Niigata Prefecture with the rest of the world, making it the gateway to the prefecture. Among Niigata City's eight wards, Higashi Ward has the most companies and factories, and is home to numerous industrial parks. Agriculture, producing Danshaku potatoes and strawberries, is thriving, and these are famous local specialties. One of the local specialties is soft-skinned onions, and the idol group "negicco," formed to promote these soft-skinned onions, was crowned queen in a local idol competition and is nationally famous.