| Matsunoyama | |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Settlement Type: | Former municipality |
| Seal Type: | Emblem |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Japan |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Japan |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Hokuriku |
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture |
| Subdivision Name2: | Niigata Prefecture |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Higashikubiki District |
| Extinct Title: | Merged |
| Extinct Date: | April 1, 2005 (now part of Tōkamachi) |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 86.31 |
| Population Total: | 2,974 |
| Population As Of: | 2003 |
| Timezone1: | JST |
| Utc Offset1: | +09:00 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | City hall address |
was a town located in Higashikubiki District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 2,974 and a density of 34.46 persons per km2. The total area was 86.31 km2.
On April 1, 2005, Matsunoyama, along with the town of Matsudai (also from Higashikubiki District), the town of Kawanishi, and the village of Nakasato (both from Nakauonuma District), was merged into the expanded city of Tōkamachi.[1] [2] It is located in the southeastern portion of the city.
Matsunoyama is home to one of the big three medicinal hot springs of Japan, along with Kusatsu (Gunma Prefecture) and Arima Onsen (Hyōgo Prefecture). One of the main roads in the town is lined with about a dozen traditional Japanese-style hot spring resorts, attracting many visitors.
Matsunoyama is also famous for the massive amount of snowfall it receives, with 2 to 3 meters on average during the severe winter months.
According to legend, a woodcutter discovered the hot springs 700 years ago when he saw a hawk resting its injured wing in it. It has also been told that the daughter of Uesugi Fusayoshi (the 15th century governor of Echigo Province, current Niigata Prefecture,) cured her skin disease by soaking in the hot springs.
Matsunoyama is one of the sites of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial.