A Cozy Day at Around Niigata’s “Igarashi River” Where You Get to Admire Beautiful Scenic View with Swans

Flocks of swans having flown from Siberia overwintering in Japan lighten up lakes and rivers in winter all over the nation, and have Japanese people enjoy the scenic winter views from the end of November to the end of March. There are many famous places you can enjoy the winter view blessed by swans in Niigata Prefecture, however, the area around Igarashi River in Sanjo City allowing you to have a closer look at swans is the one you do not want to miss. Now, care to go on a short road trip for enjoying the views of beautiful swans? Here’s the perfect guide for you to enjoy a day in winter appreciating the nature Niigata has to offer.

Each spot in this issue is easily accessible from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel by driving a rental car.

“Village of Swan Park” allows you to have a closer look at swans flew from Siberia

At “Village of Swan Park” (白鳥の郷公苑, Hakucho no Sato Koen) where you can observe a flock of tundra swans flying to Igarashi River every year, you’ll find many visitors from all over Japan since it is pretty rare in Japan for swans to overwinter in rivers rather than in lakes and ponds. You will be overwhelmed at the view in which as many as 400 swans are swimming and dancing slowly and leisurely in the river. Thanks to the very narrow width of the river, the swans can be approached to a distance of only around 1 m, and you can observe and feel them elegantly flapping their wings pretty close. Find your own favorite way to spend your time with swans at the park. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while having a wider view from a distance at the observation building, or get closer and feed them, for instance. If you’re a best photo seeker, you should visit the park between sunrise to early morning. On the other side, the magic hour around sunset creating a dramatic and romantic atmosphere is also recommended and is perfect for a date with your loved one.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 4:00PM in between mid November to early in March
Address	1774-1 Morimachi, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 40-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/10802

“Farmer Restaurant Gokuu” offers local cuisine using locally harvested vegetables and seasonal wild plants

Once you’ve enjoyed the elegant and beautiful appearance of swans, how about satisfying your appetite with the local cuisine “Farmer Restaurant Gokuu” (農家レストラン庭月庵悟空) has to offer? At the restaurant located in ‘Michi no Eki Kangaku no Sato Shitada’ (道の駅漢学の里しただ, a Michi no Eki refers to a facility where visitors can enjoy shopping and get some rest located along a major road) that only a 5-minute drive away from Village of Swan Park, you can have homemade dishes made from locally grown vegetables and wild plants that are fresh, reliable, and safe. In addition to the signature buffet of side dishes prepared mainly with local vegetables, you should also try its handmade soba noodles made from locally-grown buckwheat flour, and ‘Otani Dam Curry’ (大谷ダムカレー) made with tenderly simmered Sanjo pork curry and plenty of colorful vegetables decorated on top. If you feel like a light snack, why don’t you try ‘Hikozen’, a roasted rice cake coated with perilla seasoned Miso loved by local Matagi (マタギ, a Japanese term referring to a traditional hunter in winter mountains), or the chiffon cake flavored with seasonal ingredients?

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 3:00PM / Closed on Mondays and New Years Holidays *Refer to its official site for details since opening hours may very depending on the season
Address	451-1 Niwazuki, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 40-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/niigata/A1501/A150102/15004495/

At hot spring “Iiyu Ratei”, warm up from the inside of your body while gazing at the spectacular view of the scenic spot, Yagigahana

Since the winter season in Niigata is cold enough to make you freeze while you enjoy the beautiful appearance of swans in nature, how about getting you warm up in a cozy hot spring bathhouse “Iiyu Ratei” (いい湯らてい) surrounded by green? The spring quality of the weakly alkaline hot spring in the bathhouse only a 10-minute drive from Village of Swan Park containing sulfate and meta-silicic acid is said to be effective for healing neuralgia and muscle pain, and also be expected to bring your skin smoother. While having a relaxing warm time soaking in the spacious baths placed inside and out, you can overlook the scenery of Yagigahana (八木ヶ鼻) that was named as one of the 100 best scenic spots in Niigata. Moreover, you can also try other types of baths including a whirlpool bath, air bubble bath and saunas. Since it’s equipped with a lounge, a nap room and a restaurant offering Japanese and Western dishes, just rent loungewear and get set for unwinding yourself. This is an ideal place for getting chilled and easing your stress away from hustle and bustle.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 10:00PM / Closed on every third Wednesday
Admission	900 yen (700 yen for entry after 5:00PM) / 150 yen for lounge ware rental
Address	16-1 Minami-imogawa, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 50-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	http://www.iiyuratei.com/