Enjoy winter and an early taste of spring! 3 Insta-worthy events held in the area surrounding Nagaoka Station

Located in Chuetsu region (Niigata’s central area), Nagaoka city faces the Sea of Japan, is surrounded by mountains and has Japan’s longest river ‘Shinano River.’ In other words, it’s a nature-rich city. You can get here in 10 minutes by Shinkansen or about 40 minutes by bus without any transfers from Tsubamesanjo Station. This city and the surrounding areas hold various winter festivals from February to March, such as ‘Echigo Nagaoka Six Grand Winter Festivals’ consisting of Tochio Snow Festival, Echigo Kawaguchi Setsudo Firefly Festival and so on. Moreover, flower events allow you to feel an early taste of spring.

This time, we’re going to introduce 3 insta-worthy events from various ones that are held in the area surrounding Nagaoka Station.

Snow Activities, Fireworks and Local Foods! Feel winter attractions unique to Nagaoka with your five senses at “The 35th Nagaoka Yukishika Festival”

Being famous as one of ‘Echigo Nagaoka Six Grand Winter Festivals,’ “Nagaoka Yukishika Festival” holds lots of events allowing you to feel charms of winter Nagaoka. During the day, you can experience a variety of snow activities such as jumbo snow slide and snowman contest. On the other hand, 2 night-festivals create a romantic atmosphere: ‘Yukiakari’ (15th February) where approximately 2,000 heart-warming light create a fantastic view and ‘Yukihanabi’ (16th February) where fireworks including Nishakudama and starmine color the night sky will give peace to your mind and impress you. By the way, ‘Shokurakuza & Yukishika Market’ filled with 37 stolls is also held, so why not savor special dishes unique to this festival or get souvenirs?

Period	15th February, 2020 11:00AM – 6:30PM／16th February, 2020 10:00AM – 4:00PM ※For more details, please refer to the official website.
Venue	Haibu Nagaoka (3-315-11 Senshu, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture), Senshugahara Furusato no Mori (3-315-1 Senshu, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture)
Access	25 mins by bus from Nagaoka Station
URL	http://www.nagaokacci.or.jp/topics/detail/cd/59/

Hop on a hot-air balloon and Overlook a panoramic wintry landscape of Echigo Plain at “The 44th Ojiya Balloon Festival”

“Ojiya Balloon Festival” is a very popular event that attracts about 25,000 tourists every year. You’re sure to have butterflies in your stomach by seeing an instagrammable scene of approximately 40 hot-air balloons flying against the background of the winter wonderland and blue sky. Besides, it’s also one of the best charms that you can experience a hot-air balloon ride. Echigo Plain surrounded by mountains spreads out below you and makes you feel the magnificence of nature. Moreover, don’t forget to stop by at ‘Umaimono Hiroba’ where about 25 famous shops in Ojiya gathers. You can enjoy local specialties unique to Ojiya to your heart’s content, such as grilled rice balls using Koshihikari from Uonuma and local food ‘Ojiyamaki,’ just prepared rice cakes and traditional dish ‘Hegisoba.’

Period	22nd February, 2020 – 23rd February, 2020 ※For more details, please refer to the official website.
Venue	Nishinaka Venue／Sakuramachi Venue
Access	Shuttle buses are available from Ojiya Station which is 3 stations away from Nagaoka Station on the JR Joetsu line
URL	https://www.city.ojiya.niigata.jp.e.lb.hp.transer.com/site/kanko/ojiya-fusenikki.html

“Soshun Flower Festival” filled with many Niigata’s flowers signaling the coming of spring

Echigo Hillside Park with rich nature is the only national park in Hokuriku area. Now, it’s holding “Soshun Flower Festival” where Niigata’s famous flowers are displayed indoor. Until 16th February, you can see 4,500 colorful ice tulips, which fully bloom in winter due to low-temperature storage and flowering adjustment. In addition, during the festival period, Christmas rose, azalea and rhododendron are also displayed in order, so you may be able to find varieties you have never seen before. The admission fee is free until the end of March, so how about visiting here while sightseeing in Nagaoka?

Period	18th January, 2020 – 19th April, 2020 9:30AM – 4:30PM Closed on Monday ※Please check displayed flowers on the official website because they vary depending on date.
Venue	Echigo Hillside Park (1950-1 Mitsumata, Miyamoto Higashikata-machi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture)
Access	40 mins by bus from Nagaoka Station
URL	https://echigo-park.jp/event/schedule/en/index.html