5 Sightseeing Spots in the Nagaoka/Kashiwazaki Area recommended by Niigata Prefecture Citizens

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Sado Gold Mine on Sado Island Celebrates First Anniversary of World Heritage Registration
Niigata is attracting more and more attention as the first anniversary of the registration of the gold mine on Sado Island as a World Heritage site is approaching. Why not take the Shinkansen to enjoy the charms of Niigata while experiencing the four seasons?
Enjoy the gastronomy of Niigata, a treasure trove of gourmet foods such as rice, sake, and seafood, as well as hot springs, the ocean, and sightseeing spots and cultural experiences that change with each season. Among them, we would like to introduce some recommended spots in the Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki area!

The highlight of the festival! The Sho-Shaku Tamashii (four giant balls) with a diameter of approximately 800 meters will be launched into the sky! Send your feelings into the sky (Katakai Festival Dedication Fireworks)

Fireworks are launched at the Katakai Festival, one of the three major fireworks festivals in Echigo, known as "Kashiwazaki of the sea, Nagaoka of the river, and Katakai of the mountains. The dedication firework display held in Katakai-cho, the birthplace of the 3 Shaku Dama, is held for two days in September every year (this year on September 12 (Fri.) and 13 (Sat.)) and is famous for the world's largest 4 Shaku Dama (4.5 meters in diameter). The 4 Shakudama will be launched at 10:00 p.m. on both days, and will be the finale of the dedicatory fireworks display. Also, from 13:00 to 14:00 on the second day, daytime fireworks will be launched, and the town will be filled with fireworks during the festival period, including midday starmine and continuous fireworks.
Most of the fireworks dedicated to the festival are Shakudama fireworks
The fireworks dedicated to Asahara Shrine, a local shrine, are called "Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival Dedication Grand Fireworks," a traditional event that has continued since the Edo period. It is not only companies and local residents that dedicate fireworks, but there are many individual applications from all over the country. The fireworks are dedicated to celebrate the birth of a child, a marriage, or to pray for good health, etc. The fireworks that are shot off after each shot is announced will give you a different feeling of the dedicator's thoughts and feelings, and may be a different kind of sensation.
About 15,000 fireworks are shot off over two days.
It is recommended to visit the Katakai Festival in the daytime when it is light. You can also see traditional events such as "Tamaori" and "Tsutsuyuki". Tamashori" is an event to dedicate fireworks to Asahara Shrine, and floats are pulled through the town while singing "kiyari" and playing "shagiri" (flute and drums). In "Tsutsuyobi", a wooden cylinder used for setting off fireworks is pulled and paraded through the town. The town becomes very lively, and the festival atmosphere is heightened at once! More than 100 stalls will be set up around Asahara Shrine. Some of them sell original products such as "Hanabi Banzuke" and "Shishakudama Miniature Strap" as well as specialty products of Katakai Town. At the end of this summer, why not visit Katakai-cho to see the "Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival Dedication Grand Fireworks", a traditional event that has been succeeded since the Edo period?
The official website of "Katakai Festival" is here:

The English-style garden in Mitsuke, where beautiful flowers heal you.

The Mitsuke English Garden is an authentic English garden designed and supervised by Mr. Kay Yamada, a leading researcher of English horticulture in Japan. After passing through the iron gate at the main entrance, you can enjoy the varied cultivation and seasonal plants in each area, such as the Border Garden with colorful flowers, the pond with Nishikigoi, the Rock Garden with wildflowers, and the Med Garden with herbaceous plants and other plants in their natural state. Highlights include roses in the spring, summer displays and annabels in the summer when the garden is tinted in cool colors with umbrellas and balloons, and various types of dahlias in the fall. In 2024, the garden won a prestigious British horticultural competition, becoming the first non-British organization to win the prize.
Various flowers can be enjoyed depending on the season
MEG CAFE 511, which is attached to the Mitsuke English Garden, is a healing garden café with the concept of allowing visitors to relax and spend time in the midst of flowers and greenery. One of the popular menu items, "Tiramisu Fruit," consists of tiramisu, berries, edible flowers, and berry ice cream in a flowerpot. The key point is that the spoon is shaped like a scoop! This dessert is sure to be an Instagram hit. Other items on the food and drink menu include "rose lemonade" that matches the flavor of roses and lemon, pasta with a chewy, chewy texture, and pizza whose dough is fermented at low temperature for two days. After dinner, you can enjoy shopping at the souvenir shop inside the store for Mitsuke City's specialties, original goods, flower seedlings, etc.â
Fruits of tiramisu
The official website of "Mitsuke English Garden" is here

The original landscape of a beautiful Japanese hometown 【Tanada Tanaike Pond in Yamakoshi

The terraced rice field terraced ponds of Yamakoshi in the Yamakoshi area of Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, are said to be a beautiful original landscape of Japan. The scenery created by the terraced rice paddies built on the steep slopes of the mountains and the terraced ponds that serve as the source of water changes its expression from season to season, fascinating visitors. Tanaike Pond, in particular, is known as the birthplace of Nishikigoi, or Nishikigoi carp, and the leisurely swimming carp add color to the scenery of the terraced rice paddies. The "Yamaakari" event held every year in the fall, when the terraced rice paddies are finished being harvested and flooded, allows visitors to walk around the terraced rice paddies and tanaike ponds, which are illuminated with a fantastic light display. The colors change by the hour, and you can enjoy the different expressions of the scenery as you walk. This year's event will be held from Friday, October 17 to Monday, November 3 (national holiday).
Beautiful terraced rice paddies and ponds
Click here for the official website of "Yamaakari"
Of all the scenic spots where you can view the terraced rice paddies and tanada ponds, I especially recommend "Nikoniko Hiroba". From the hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the terraced rice paddies and tanaike ponds, making it the perfect place to take pictures of the seasonal changes in the scenery! Ipponsugi" is another famous spot visited by many photographers. It is especially impressive when you see the morning mist.
Please note that the road leading to Ipposugi is closed during the winter season.
Terraced rice paddies, terraced ponds and morning mist (Ipponsugi)

Specialty Omusubi (rice balls, soup, and tea 6subi) at Setadaya, a brewery in the town of brewing

About 15 minutes by train and foot from the center of Nagaoka City is the town of Setagaya, where miso, soy sauce, and sake breweries are concentrated. Miso and soy sauce production has been developed since the Edo period (1603-1868), and the town is known as the "town of brewing" where you can feel the history of fermentation and brewing culture. It is known as a "brewing town." It is a recommended spot for walking around the town, where you can enjoy traditional tastes of sake, miso, soy sauce, dumplings, and rice while looking at the streets lined with quaint buildings that give a sense of history.
Click here for "Setaya" Machiaruki map
Setagaya 6th Street Fermentation Museum and Rice Storehouse
Inside the "Setagaya 6th Street Fermentation Museum and Rice Storehouse" in Setagaya, there is "Omusubi to Soup to Tea 6Subi" which offers an original menu utilizing ingredients and fermented foods produced in the Setagaya area. The name comes from the idea that the six breweries in Setagaya are connected to their customers through omusubi, and in 2023 the restaurant received the Niigata Gastronomy Award, which identifies restaurants and lodging facilities in Niigata Prefecture that are actively involved in their local communities. Using local Koshihikari rice, the softly made omusubi are filled with attractive new arrangements that can only be found at 6SUBI, such as roast beef from Yamakoshi with a soy sauce-based sauce or shrimp tempura with persimmon seeds. There is a "Miso Soup Bar" in the restaurant, where you can compare miso soup made with Nagaoka miso, so be sure to order it with your omusubi. In addition to omusubi, there are also sweets and drink menus unique to the brewing town of Setagaya, so you can use the shop not only for meals but also for café time.
Original omusubi with attractive arrangements
Click here for the official website of "Omusubi to Shiru to Cha6SUBI"
Click here for the official website of "Niigata Gastronomy Award"

Sauna Horaishu] where you can relax your mind and body while looking out over the Sea of Japan.

The Sea of Japan is right in front of you! Have you ever heard of "Sauna Horizon," a sauna that is talked about for its otherworldly sense of freedom? Saunas have become increasingly popular in recent years because of their expected effects on blood circulation, stress relief, relaxation, and immune system enhancement. Located in a location that is likely to further enhance these effects, Sauna Horizon opened in June 2021 under the concept of "a sauna that blends in with the sea. The sauna room has a large window overlooking the Sea of Japan, and a wood-burning stove with a 300 kg stone on it allows visitors to enjoy a "waxing ritual.
Sauna room with large windows overlooking the horizon
After warming up in the sauna room, go to the water bath. The pool with underground water running through it, the crystal clear ocean right in front of you, and the river running next to you, all three types of natural water baths are very pleasant. After cooling down, take a dip in the open air. You can feel the sea breeze on the deck on the roof of the facility, swing in a hammock in front of the facility, or relax in the lounge inside the facility. Saunas are available for 2 hours and reservations are required. Please check the official website for details on how to make reservations and precautions.
Sunset time is the best time to take a bath in the open air
Click here for the official website of "Sauna Horaishu"

Why don't you go on a trip to "Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki area" full of attractions?

The Nagaoka-Kashiwazaki area, embraced by the Sea of Japan and the Echigo Mountains, is a region with rich nature, traditional culture, festivals, food culture, and a wealth of attractions. Why not take this opportunity to fully enjoy Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki?

The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
All images are for reference only.
Click here for a special campaign to enjoy a trip in Nagaoka

Niigata Tourism Fan Club "Niicle

If you are planning a trip to Niigata, we recommend registering with the "Niigata Sightseeing Fan Club Niicle! You can receive special offers at approximately 600 cooperating stores mainly in Niigata Prefecture, as well as receive the latest sightseeing information and information on local specialties in a timely manner!

Click here to register as a member.

Click here for information on other areas in Niigata Prefecture recommended by Niigata Prefecture residents.

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