■Enjoy Niigata - Niigata prefecture tourism guide

April 21, 2012 Cherry blossoms at night at Takada Park (Takada Castle)

2012-05-09T05:56:43Z

Last week a friend invited me out, and as luck would have it, I was able to go to Takada Castle. My friend wanted to go mid-day, but since Takada Castle is famous for cherry blossoms at night, I recommended that if we were going to go, we should go at night. We left from Nagaoka on the express way and arrived in Joetsu in just over an hour. We parked the car in a parking lot and headed towards the park. A lot of people came, so it was really crowded. The stream of people flowed like a river to the point where we couldn’t really move freely. There were countless food stalls, and the chilly evening air was warmed by their stoves. There was also a haunted house, which seemed really popular with the young people there. There was a feast to eat and fun to be had.

Of course, there were the night-time

cherry blossoms as well. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and were illuminated with white and soft pink lights. Anywhere you went, it made amazing scenery. The flowers and the lights reflected on the surface of the water in the moat, making a romantic and slightly mysterious atmosphere. We walked in the outer park for a bit, and I wanted to ride in a boat, but it had already grown late, so we decided not to. We walked up the third tower and enjoyed a panoramic view of the park. The cherry blossoms at Takada Park are undoubtedly beautiful in the daytime, too. Unfortunately, pictures and videos don’t do the atmosphere justice. I took a lot of pictures to remember them and went home. It was a very memorable night.

Olga

4.11.2012 Let's go to Yahiko to see the cherry blossoms!

2012-04-23T07:32:23Z

This year spring came late, like a child that overslept, but it’s finally here now. The cherry blossoms are still hard buds, but I look forward to the Japanese tradition of hanami, or “cherry blossom viewing.” I came to Niigata as a prefecture-sponsored international student in 2002, and I arrived just when the cherry blossoms were blooming. At that time, the cherry blossoms had already fallen from the trees planted along the Shinano River, but I was still able to enjoy them by going to the mountains. While walking along Yasuragi-tei on the banks of the Shinano River, I could feel the warm, gentle breezes of spring, and I took many pictures of the river, bridges, tulips, willows, and cherry blossoms.

One day I went to Yahiko Shrine with a friend. There is a cherry blossom park by the shrine, where many different varieties of cherry blossoms, such as the Japanese cherry blossom and the Yoshino cherry blossom, were blooming. Then we hiked up Mt. Yahiko, and had a barbeque at the park on the top of the mountain while we enjoyed the sunset. In the evening, we went to a hot spring bath called Jonnobi-kan in Fukuju Onsen. It was a wonderful ending to a day full of fun and beauty. I had the best welcome party to Niigata.

Ten years have passed since then, and I am working as a coordinator for international relations in Niigata. I have been eagerly waiting for spring this year. The city and the people have changed, and so have I, but the cherry blossoms of Niigata remain unchanged. This year I am thinking about doing a memorable cherry blossom tour with my friends.

I want to go for a scenic drive around Mt. Yahiko. Prefectural Route 561 (known as the Skyline) and National Route 402 (the Echigo-Nanaura Seaside Line) shouldn’t be missed, I think. Scenic drives are impressive any day. Why don’t you also go to Yahiko in Niigata this spring?

Olga

2012.5.9. "Life in the Land of Rice and Sake ~A Journal by Foreign Residents in Niigata~" has been updated.

2012-04-23T02:30:51Z

2012.3.29Takada park cherry blossoms was introduced on the "CNN Go" website

2012-04-16T05:55:55Z

I'll never forget my experiences in Myoko, even after I go back to South Korea.

2012-02-21T02:48:16Z

　I thought I couldn't speak Japanese very well, so I ended up coming to Niigata! Niigata is known as the «snow country,» but when I actually saw the snow piled up on the mountains, it was something totally new that I could never see in South Korea. My month long study program in Japan was really fun. I got to try things that I normally wouldn't be able to, such as tea ceremony, theater performances, making sasadango, and wearing a yukata, as well as interact with a lot of Japanese people. In particular, I will never forget my experiences in Myoko, even after I go back to South Korea.

(Park Gahee, Airline, International, and Resort College Japanese Department)

Japanese...is difficult.

2012-02-21T02:44:25Z

　Given the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, along with other things, at first I was a little worried about going to Niigata to study Japanese. However, I would have regretted it if I had not come to Japan. I've met many kind Japanese people, which make me reflect on the prejudices I had. I'm really glad that for one month I was able to have many great experiences with traditional Japanese culture and interactions with Japanese people. I'll never forget all of the experiences I had. If I have the chance, I'd like to come to Japan and try more things. However...Japanese...is difficult.

(Lim Chae Keun, Airline, International and Resort College Japanese Department)

It really snowed a lot in Myoko!

2012-02-21T02:37:45Z

It really snowed a lot in Myoko. It was the first time I ever saw snow piled up taller than me. Skiing in natural snow, rather than man-made snow, was really fun. It was also the first time I went to a Japanese-style inn and got in an outdoor hot spring bath. The food was also really delicious. These experiences made me like Japan even more.

（Bae Woojin, Airline, International and Restort College Japanese Department）

Returning to South Korea with Both Regrets and Fun Experiences

2012-02-21T02:33:17Z

　On January 5, 2011, I came to Japan for the first time in my life. I was worried that it would be cold in Niigata, but it was warmer than South Korea. Many friendly Japanese people welcomed me as well, so I quickly adjusted to being in Japan.

　Our schedule included a trip to Myoko. It was a short, 1-night, 2-day stay, but I was really surprised that there was a place where it snows so much that the accumulated snow was taller than me. Wherever we went, they were prepared for removing the snow that piled up, and all of the sidewalks were cleared of snow so we could walk properly on them. In the snow country of Myoko, I got to try chili peppers in a way that I had never tasted them in South Korea, and we got to see the process for making Niigata's famous sake, followed by a sake tasting. That evening we had dinner at a traditional Japanese-style inn, and the food served there was the most delicious meal I ate in Japan. We were moved while eating this meal that utilized all of Japan's unique flavors and appearances. We further experienced the best of Japan when we entered an onsen hot spring, and I really liked it. Sleeping in a traditional Japanese tatami room and trying on a yukata may be simple things, but I was able to experience the local Japanese lifestyle.

　The next day, we went skiing, which is what I anticipated the most in Myoko. I didn't have much experience skiing, so I was scared, but the other students taught me well, so I learned how to do it and had a great time skiing and snowboarding.

　Everything we did in Japan was new and fresh to me. I will return to South Korea with new experiences and regrets.

(Cho Euna, Airline, International and Resort College Japanese Department)

February 12, 2012 Koide International Snowball Fight!

2012-02-17T06:33:50Z

Today, a couple friends and I left the sunshine of Niigata City to brave the snow country of Uonuma. Three of my friends were competing on a team in the International Snowball Fight, so we went up to check it out. We knew we were getting close when the walls of snow on the side of the road grew higher than our car! The tournament was a lot of fun. The teams had to wear costumes, so my friends dressed like zombies and ghosts, but other teams dressed like ninjas or school girls. Many of them looked really cold! In addition to the snowball fight, they also had a sledding hill, so my friends and I went sledding. It reminded me of my childhood. The tournament ended with a BMX show. After that, we ate at my favorite restaurant in Niigata. You’d never think so, but located in Koide is a fantastic vegan restaurant called Uonuma Sabo! They serve some fish, but the majority of the menu doesn’t use meat, fish, or dairy! I am a vegetarian, but none of my friends are, and they still love the food there. It was cold and snowy day, but it was totally worth it!

Katrina

November 18, 2011 Yahiko Shrine Chrysanthemum Festival

2011-12-01T10:34:39Z

As the scent of autumn grew thicker in the air, I went to Yahiko last Friday. Yahiko is a small town that is 1 hour away by car from Niigata City, but it has hot springs, Mt. Yahiko (famous as a “power spot”, or the place with spiritual, mystical energy) and Yahiko Shrine, which has a distinctive, large torii (a gateway to a shrine). In particular, Yahiko Shrine is said to enshrine the gods of agriculture and fishery, and is regarded as one of the historic shrines that appears in the Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves, the oldest collection of poems in Japanese history.

Along with maple leaves and cosmos flowers, many Korean people would mention chrysanthemum flowers as symbols of autumn. It is the same in Niigata, and a large chrysanthemum festival is held in Yahiko every autumn. Many people bring their lovingly-raised chrysanthemum flowers to the contest held at the shrine. These flowers are lined up beautifully on the grounds of the shrine. When I took a close look at them, I was amused to find flowers in various colors and shapes in addition to the white and yellow ones we often see. I was especially impressed with a big display of various-colored chrysanthemums arranged to look like Mt. Fuji in a large flower bed, and the sight of tens of flowers blossoming from a single stem. For the first time in ages, I fully enjoyed the autumn atmosphere under the clear blue sky

Kim Milisoo

November 18, 2011 Autumn Leaves in Yahiko

2011-12-01T10:27:03Z

It is said that Japan has four distinct seasons. Cherry trees in spring, greenery in summer, colorful leaves in autumn, and snow in winter beautifully cover the ground as if they are painted on a palette. Autumn is the season to enjoy colorful leaves, so I recommend visiting Yahiko Park, which is known for its beautiful fall foliage.

As autumn progresses, Yahiko Park enters its most beautiful time of year in late October. When I entered the park, the blended colors of green, yellow and blazing autumn leaves leapt to my eyes. It was so beautiful! The gorgeous scene, with people reading books under the sunshine filtering through the branches of trees and parents and children playing happily, made me feel as if I was looking at a part of an oil painting. Taking a walk while enjoying the scenery would be truly relaxing. I followed a narrow path and I arrived at a tunnel. I was curious, so I went through the tunnel, and then gradually a world of blazing red began to appear in front of me. The area around the Kangetsukyo Bridge painted bright red with leaves is called Momijidani, which means “valley of red maple leaves.” The bridge looks more vivid, and stands out more when it is seen with a lot of autumn leaves, and the leaves around the bridge look gentle and tranquil. I was amazed to see the manmade bride and natural leaves existing in perfect harmony. As the name implies, the autumn leaves in Momijidani were shining vividly in the sun as far as I could see. Every autumn, the leaves look so vivid, as if they were created by the god as works of art in nature and are telling their own stories to us. When I saw the entire scene, I felt full of vibrant energy, and felt as if the leaves were striving to show their beauty before winter comes. I wonder why autumn leaves look increasingly energetic as it becomes colder and colder.

Ka Nei (CIR, International Affairs Division of the Niigata Prefectural Government)

November 18, 2011 The Exquisite Metal Polishing Technique Handed Down through Generations at Migakiya-ichibankan

2011-12-01T10:21:34Z

On a sunny day I visited Migakiya-ichibankan in Tsubame, Niigata with my colleagues. Even though it was a cold winter day, I felt their determination to pass on their metal polishing techniques, and their passion for their life and future.

Polishing is extremely important in the process of producing metal products. Along with the development of their craftsmanship, people in Tsubame have improved their distinctive metal polishing technique to the point where it has reached the most advanced level in the world.

When the trainees earnestly operate the polishing machine, its grindstone continuously spins 2000 times per minute, and dim-colored metals product starts to shine as if they are putting on gorgeous, brand-new clothing.

The products produced in this facility vary widely, from small dinnerware spoons to huge airplane wings. One of their most distinctive products is a stainless tumbler for serving beer. Artisans polish them meticulously and put gold-colored coating on the insides. Thus these gold and silver-colored products shine brilliantly like mirrors, and you may feel like keeping one at hand.

If you are interested in this kind of stainless tumbler, I recommend buying one and sending it to a friend as a souvenir. It is a distinctive product that represents Niigata’s craftsmanship, and if you buy them at this facility, the prices are more reasonable than at any other place.

Li Kun

NHK World TV program "Meet and Speak ~Encounters with Real Japan~" featuring a lot of attractive places in Niigata. Now On Air!

2011-09-09T02:29:06Z

August 5-7, 2011　Niigata Festival

2011-08-30T00:14:52Z

Every year Niigata City has a 3-day festival in the beginning of August. It begins on Friday night with a folk dancing parade on the main street of the city, and the finale is a fireworks show over the Shinano River, which runs through the heart of the city. I wanted to see as many of the events as I could, so I went all over the city. First I went and watched the opening dancing parade. It’s a large-scale event and anyone can participate, but you have to attend practice sessions to learn the dance beforehand). The next day I watched the unique, energetic Kirakira Parade of mikoshi portable shrines. The unlimited energy of the participants carrying the portable shrines and their powerful shouts are so inspirational and moving that those who have gathered to watch get goose bumps. I also went to the Sunset Concert at Aoyama Beach. With the enjoyable music, setting sun, the warm sand, and the smell and sound out the sea, the atmosphere was extremely relaxing. On the last day, of course I went to the fireworks show, but to match the festive feelings of the Japanese people, I wore a yukata. Because I did, it made my already good frame of mind even better.

Anna

August 6, 2011　Sunset Concert

2011-08-24T05:27:44Z

During the afternoon of August 6, I had a barbeque on the beach with friends. Underneath the clear blue sky, next to the shimmering blue sea is the best place to have a barbeque. The sun overhead was hot, as was the fire in the grill next to me, so I was grateful for the enthusiasm of everyone around me. My friends were all full of energy, and looked like they were having fun as they played volleyball and soccer, and jumped and swam in the sea. I enjoyed watching the seaside scenery under the tent we put up to avoid getting sunburned. I shut my eyes and thought this must be like heaven.

In the evening the concert finally began. This was the 26^th year this concert has been held. It began with the gentle singing voice of Ami Ozaki, followed with performances by Kimaguren and Kazuo Zaitsu. I don’t know Japanese songs very well, but melodies are international, aren’t they? As I hummed along with the 47,000 person audience, I got lost in the music and began to sway along. The setting sun sank lower into the ocean, it seemed as though the waves were washing in time with the music, and the seagulls looked like they were having fun making a circle in the air. Even more than the feeling painted by the setting sun, I enjoyed the melody on this truly unforgettable evening.

(Ka Nei, Coordinator for International Relations)