Appreciate the historical landmarks and cherry blossoms of Niigata! The ultimate early to mid-April travel itinerary

Takada Castle Site Park stands on the grounds of Takada Castle, which was built as the residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu's sixth son, Matsudaira Tadateru, and is now a designated historical site. The present park was created in 1907 by breaking up many of the earthen mounds and filling in much of the moat.

Covering roughly 50 hectares, Takada Castle Site Park is among the largest urban parks in Japan. It includes cultural facilities like the restored three-story castle turret, a history museum, art museum, and library, along with sports facilities such as an athletics field, baseball field, and grass field, plus a promenade around the outer moat. Other notable features include the residence of renowned Japanese painter Kobayashi Kokei, and the restored Gokuraku Bridge, which connects the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas.

Takada Castle Site Park is also renowned for its seasonal transformations. In spring, it is covered with around 4,000 blooming cherry blossom trees. Combined with the illuminated turret and paper lanterns, the scene is considered one of the three best nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The Takada Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Party is held when the cherry blossoms are at their best.

In summer, visitors can witness the entire moat covered in lotus blossoms, heralded as the "best in Asia." The Takada Castle Site Park Lotus Blossom Viewing Party is held in mid-July to late August to celebrate.

Takada in Joetsu City once prospered as a castle town, and nestled within one of its heritage-filled corners is Musashino Shuzo. This brewery utilizes the pristine natural water and high-quality rice of Joetsu City, made possible by its heavy snowfall, to make sake.

Musashino Shuzo's signature sake label is Ski Masamune, characterized by its subtle sweetness. The name pays tribute to Japan's skiing culture, which originated in Joetsu City.
By reserving in advance, visitors can take part in a guided brewery tour complete with a sake-tasting session to sample the brewery’s exquisite sake and recognize the care and dedication put into every drop.

[Guided Sake Brewery Tour]
● Available period: All year
● Hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (Duration will vary depending on the tour)
● Closed: Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, Year-end and New Year holidays
* Reservation is required

Nestled in the heart of Takada, a historic castle town, Ukiyo has been a bastion of culinary excellence for more than 150 years. Its three floors consist of a 153-tatami mat grand hall, along with rooms adorned by evocative names like "Moon," "Spring," and "Water Wheel," all flaunting intricate decor. This esteemed restaurant has even been graced by the presence of Japan’s Imperial Household, yet its exquisite kaiseki meals are also balanced by affordable lunches, facilitating a diverse range of dining experiences.

While at Ukiyo, be sure to explore the architectural treasures that make up the premises, including the main building, north gate, and east gate, which are all designated Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Before or after your meal, take a leisurely stroll through the enchanting Japanese garden, a realm of ever-changing beauty that evolves with each season.

Mt. Ogenashi is celebrated for its premium powder snow and abundant snowfall, allowing visitors to explore its grand slopes. Its remarkable landscapes also add to its charm, offering panoramic views that stretch as far as the ocean on clear days.

Lotte Arai Resort offers a variety of culinary experiences, from Italian to Japanese cuisine and menus that are suitable for any time of the day. Visitors can also try their hand at bouldering and trampolines at the Playground or unwind in the Hoshizora Pool and Onsen which uses hot spring water sourced from 1,750 meters below ground.

Lotte Arai Resort is one of the top resorts in Asia. In the winter, guests can indulge in various snow activities in the winter wonderland of Niigata, and during the warmer seasons, the mountains offer verdant landscapes, inviting guests to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty.

Widely revered as the leading shrine of the Echigo region (the former name of Niigata), Yahiko Shrine, or Oyahiko-sama, draws over 200,000 worshippers for “hatsumode” (New Year's visit) each year. Its roots trace back more than 2,400 years, as documented in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology. The shrine is believed to bring blessings in marriage, and is dedicated to Amenokagoyama no Mikoto, the great-grandchild of goddess Amaterasu.

Yahiko Shrine is easy to reach, being within walking distance of JR Yahiko Station or a short car ride from the Sanjo-Tsubame IC, with free parking available nearby. It is nestled within a stunning forest, full of giant majestic trees imbuing it with a sacred aura. While most renowned for autumn foliage, the shrine presents scenes of gorgeous nature and opportunities for forest bathing throughout the year.

Yahiko Shrine’s unique fireball stone is believed to tell whether or not your wish will come true based on its weight when heldーfeel free to give it a try! The shrine is one of the most popular attractions in Niigata Prefecture, so for a more serene experience, we suggest visiting in the early morning.

Amenokagoyama no Mikoto and his consort are enshrined at the summit of Mt. Yahiko. A 10-minute walk from the shrine leads to the Mt. Yahiko Ropeway station, offering easy access to the summit. A complimentary shuttle bus also runs from the shrine to the station. If you prefer driving, you can reach the summit via the Mt. Yahiko Skyline road.

This inn stands in front of the gate of Yahiko Shrine, the highest-ranking shrine in Echigo. It offers cuisine made with ingredients bought directly from the market, and the “waters of the gods” from Yu Jinja Shrine hot springs. We also recommend the sake carefully selected by the manager, who is a sake expert.

Hakusan Park is designed like a Dutch-style garden with walking paths. Featuring ponds, artificial hills, and a carefully laid out display of flowers and trees, this beautiful park is one of Japan's Top 100 City Parks. It is also one of the first 25 parks opened in Japan and stands among other prestigious locations such as Ueno Park and Asakusa Park in Tokyo, Mito Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture, Sumiyoshi Park in Osaka Prefecture, and Itsukushima Park in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The park offers various facets of beauty in every season––cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in the summer, autumn foliage, and winter snowscapes. The Air Gardens, which connects Hakusan Park and Ryutopia (Niigata City Performing Arts Center), is a prime location for cherry blossoms. During the cherry-viewing season, the evening illuminations create a magical atmosphere. The park also features a playground equipped with swings and see-saws for families with children. Moreover, within the grounds are monuments and sites that tell of Niigata's rich history, making the park an iconic location to represent the locale.

Another attraction of the park is the Enkinkan, a partially relocated and reconstructed former merchant residence of the Meiji Era (1868 - 1912). The building features a tea room and Japanese-style banquet room, which are open for public viewing and utilized for cultural activities such as tea ceremonies.