Shugetsuji : An old temple like in the movies
There are many great places to explore in Niigata city’s Nishikan-ku for those who wish to discover a more rural Japan. One of these places is Shugetsu-ji (shugetsu temple). You will have to leave the main roads to find this gem. The temple has something very mysterious about it: the quietness and peacefulness of the […]
Natsuihazaki: Scenery from Niigata’s countryside
Over 600 ‘’hazaki‘’ trees lined up around vast rice paddies, and the mountain in the background: this simple yet beautiful scenery is emblematic of the Japanese countryside. These trees planted by farmers were used in the past to dry the rice after the harvest. The atmosphere of Natsuihazaki varies greatly depending on when you go […]
Feel the great landowner culture and port town Niigata-Japan’s number one rice and sake production area fostered in a large granary
Situated on the vast Niigata Plain, Niigata had long been the largest rice producing area in Japan. When the system for the payment of taxes changed from rice to money in the Meiji Period (1868-1912), farmers who could not deal with money sold their land to other owners, creating great landowners with over 1,000 ha […]
The Niigata Saito Villa: Enjoy the Residence and Garden, and Participate in a Geigi Performance
The Saito clan—one of Niigata’s three hugely successful merchant families—rose to prominence in the Meiji era and remained a powerhouse until the early Showa period. In 1918 the family built this lovely structure, graced by a magnificent garden, to serve as both residence and guest house. The building and grounds are now open to the […]
Niitsu Railway Museum: The Shining History of a Railway Town
Railways are one of the most-loved forms of transportation, so much so that many people are “railfans.” As someone who gets carsick easily, I am very grateful that trains exist and will always choose the train over a bus whenever I can. This time we visited the Niitsu Railway Museu-m, a wonderful chance to learn […]
Iwamuro Hot Spring Village: The Warm Heart of Japan’s Countryside
Iwamuro village started to flourish as a hot spring village during the Edo period, over 300 years ago. It is said that the healing properties of it-s waters were discovered by witnessing a goose healing its wounds in a hot spring there. Its proximity with Yahiko Shrine naturally attracted the pilgrims and travelers. It is […]
Introduction to Sightseeing Spots in Niigata City
Niigata City has an abundance of wonderful sightseeing spots.For this issue, we asked two international relations coordinators from the Niigata City International Affairs Division to introduce some of their favorite spots! ※Languages other than English are automatically translated. Self-Introduction Charles Durand Hello everyone, nice to meet you! My name is Charles Durand. I am the […]
Uwasekigata Park: The Beauty of Japan’s Four Seasons
This time we visited Uwasekigata Park! Located in Nishikan Ward, this park happened to be richly colored when we went thanks to the cosmos flowers and the autumn leaves. Wowing you in the spring with sakura and canola flowers and basking you in sunflowers in the summer, it can be enjoyed year-round as a place […]
C57: The Place to be a Kid in a Retro Candy Store!
I took a 20-min JR train ride from Niigata Station and arrived at Niitsu Station in Akiha Ward. This ward was born of the combination of form-er Kosudo Town and former Niitsu City which had developed as a railway town. That is why, even now, when you visit Akiha Ward you will se-e the effects […]
Takarayama Brewery: A Treasure Trove of Sake
Niigata has long been blessed with water and rice, paving the way for much delicious sake. Niigata ranks number one in the country with nearly 90 sake breweries, a true kingdom of sake. If you visit Niigata, why not visit one? This time, I visited Takarayama Brewery, one of the 15 breweries located in Niigata […]
Kamuri Niitsu: Heaven for Flower Lovers
Flowers are such a magical thing, they can make you feel better just by looking at them! I know many people love flowers as I am one of them. I often give them as presents to family and friends, and even buy flowers for myself sometimes. Today we are visiting a place that’s perfe-ct for […]
Surrounded by Plants at the Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden!
Life in the city means less chance to be around greenery. I cannot find the chance to go to the mountains or the forest and I felt myself wanting to take in negative ions from nature. Then I visited the Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden! We went by car, a 30 minute drive from Niigata Station. […]
Sakata: The Swan’s Wetland
Located in the western district of Niigata City and inside one of the largest dunes in Japan, the Sakata wetland is known to host over 600 typ-es of plants and more than 200 types of birds. It is registered by the Ramsar Convention, which protects important wetlands and waterfowl habitats. During winter, thousands of swans […]
Cave d’Occi: Niigata’s Exotic Resort
Niigata is known to have a long tradition with sake brewing, but did you know that wine is also being produced here? This prefecture is truly full of surprises: even within the snowy lands of northern Japan there is a place where you can enjoy wine and European lifestyle. Welcome to Cave d’Occi! Cave d’Occi […]
