On March 20th, 2006, the towns of Yoshida and Bunsui merged with the old city of Tsubame to give rise to the new Tsubame City.

Lying roughly in the center of Niigata Prefecture's tranquil Echigo plain, the city of Tsubame is located between the cities of Nagaoka, and the prefectural capital, Niigata City. Japan's longest river, the Shinano, and its tributaries, the Nakanokuchi and Nishigawa rivers, flow around the city, shaping its contours. Tsubame's favorable transportation network is serviced by the Hokuriku Expressway via the Sanjo-Tsubame interchange, as well as by the Tsubame-Sanjo station on the Joetsu Super Express rail line. National highways 116 and 289 traverse the city, as do Japan Railways' Echigo and Yahiko lines.

Tsubame City is widely known as a prominent metal manufacturing center. Our main industries are metal tableware; house ware; and specialty fabrication and industrial pieces.

Tsubame City is also known for being the home of the renowned 18th century Buddhist monk, Ryokan (1758 - 1831), as well as being graced with one of the top 100 sakura (cherry blossom) viewing locations. Along the cherry blossom covered banks of the Ohkouzu Bunsui tributary to the Shinano river, the elaborate Oiran Dochu, a famous reenactment of the ancient "Courtesan's Journey," takes place. Oiran were high level courtesans, attended to by many servants, commemorated to this day through this extravagant festival.
Tsubame is a place of balanced history, industry, and nature.