Niigata sightseeing from Tokyo! If you're going to the Nagaoka fireworks, we'll introduce you to some recommended spots to enjoy together!

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, Niigata's pride and joy
• Recommended spots to enrich your trip to Niigata
• Niigata's leading gourmet spot
• A gourmet destination blessed with giant fireworks and nature

Enjoy the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, Niigata's pride and joy

What are the Nagaoka Fireworks? A festival of overwhelming scale and history

The Nagaoka Fireworks, held every August, is a major summer event that is counted among the three biggest fireworks festivals in Japan. It boasts over one million visitors every year, and the curtain of fireworks stretching over a total length of 2 kilometers will surely move the hearts of those who see it.

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival began in 1945. It was started as a memorial to the war dead and a prayer for peace, in order to rebuild the city of Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, which had suffered devastating damage during World War II. That sentiment has been passed down to this day, and the event has become an important symbol of the bonds between the local people.

What is noteworthy is that some of the largest fireworks in Japan will be launched, including the "Phoenix Fireworks for Reconstruction," which is 2 kilometers long, and the "Shosan-shakudama" fireworks, which are about 650 meters in diameter. The spectacle that spreads across the night sky is moving in a way that cannot be conveyed in photos or videos.

The greatest appeal of the Nagaoka fireworks is that they are not just beautiful, but also convey the strength of people's feelings.

Date and time: August 2nd and 3rd (19:20~21:10)

Location: Shinano River riverbank

Highlights of the Nagaoka Fireworks

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival attracts over one million spectators every year. Since it is expected to be very crowded on the day, advance preparation is very important.

The highlight is the "Phoenix," where hundreds of fireworks are set off simultaneously in time with music, creating the sensation of a wave of light.

In addition, there will be a variety of other performances, such as 100 consecutive fireworks and musical starmines.

How to get there and choose the best viewing spot

It's about a 20-minute walk from Nagaoka Station to the fireworks venue. It will be very crowded on the day of the event, so it's best to try to get there as early as possible. It's easily accessible from Niigata city, about an hour by train. It's also about two hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo.

There are paid and free viewing areas. You will need to get there early in the morning to reserve a spot, so we recommend purchasing a paid ticket in advance depending on your schedule.

Ticket Information

General sales start on a first-come-first-served basis from June 30th to July 11th

Official resale starts from 7/4

Learn more

Recommended spots to enrich your trip to Niigata

The Tohoku region is blessed with a rich food culture and abundant nature, which is the greatest attraction of each prefecture. There are events such as the fireworks in Nagaoka, and the abundance of magnificent scenery is one of the reasons why it is always crowded with tourists.

Here we will introduce several recommended tourist spots that you cannot miss when visiting Niigata Prefecture.

The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama

The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama is a highland terrace that offers spectacular views, fine cuisine, and activities.

The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, is a popular scenic spot that opened in the summer of 2022. It is easily accessible, about 60 minutes by car from Nagaoka City, famous for its Nagaoka fireworks. After enjoying a seven-minute aerial stroll on a state-of-the-art gondola, a panoramic view of the vast rural landscape and the majestic Echigo Sanzan mountains awaits.

There is also an observation terrace with a cafe, where the cafe gourmet food, which is visually beautiful, such as the original sweet "Snow Mountain Pancakes", is popular. In addition, there are plenty of outdoor activities such as comfortable glamping in air-conditioned dome tents, bonfire experiences, and buggy rides, so there is plenty of content that the whole family can enjoy.

For a limited time, the terrace will also be open for extended hours. At dusk, the sky turns crimson red, and at night, the city lights of Minamiuonuma sparkle, creating a romantic moment. It is a noteworthy spot where you can enjoy the nature of the four seasons and an extraordinary experience that can be enjoyed on a day trip from the city center.

Business period: July 19th to November 9th, 2025

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

Night Terrace operating period: Saturdays and specific dates from August 2nd to September 27th, 2025

Night Terrace Hours: 17:00 - 21:00

Address: 1699 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

Phone number: 025-783-2222

Payment methods: Credit cards, electronic money, and cashless payments accepted

See the official website of The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama ▶

Kiyotsu Gorge

Kiyotsukyo Gorge is one of Japan's three major valleys, located in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. Its spectacular scenery, woven together by the seasonal beauty of nature and the sheer cliffs with their columnar joints, is a major attraction. In particular, the panorama station at the end of the Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel is renowned for its fantastical views reflected in the water. As a one-of-a-kind tourist spot that combines natural beauty with modern art, it attracts many travelers from both Japan and overseas.

In recent years, the Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel has become popular as a photogenic spot, and the scenery reflected on the water's surface is said to be as beautiful as a painting. The number of tourists increases from spring to autumn, but visiting in winter is also a special experience.

In order to avoid overcrowding during peak season, there are periods when advance reservations are required. Please check the official website for details before visiting.

See the official Kiyotsukyo Gorge website ▶

Yahiko Shrine

Yahiko Shrine, located in the western part of Niigata Prefecture, is one of the most historic shrines in Niigata. It is deeply revered by locals as the Ichinomiya of Echigo.

The sacred atmosphere of the lush forest and the beautiful traditional architecture and solemn approach to the shrine are recommended for foreigners who want to experience Japanese culture. If you take the ropeway up nearby Mount Yahiko, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Sea of Japan and Sado Island, and experience a special time where nature and faith are in harmony. It is a quiet, relaxing and soothing spot.

See the official Yahiko Shrine website ▶

Roadside Station Tsubame-Sanjo Local Products Center

If you want to buy souvenirs, head to Roadside Station Tsubame-Sanjo Local Products Center.

Tsubame-Sanjo is one of Japan's leading metal processing towns. The product hall is lined with about 10,000 products, including Western-style tableware, cutlery, and kitchenware handmade by artisans, which can also be purchased as souvenirs. Duty-free services are also available, so please feel free to ask the staff nearby for more information.

Additionally, at the restaurant "Tsubame-Sanjo Italian Bit," which uses local ingredients, you can enjoy your meals served on traditional craft dishes and cutlery, making this a roadside station that is full of charm beyond just local products.

See the official website of Roadside Station Tsubame-Sanjo Local Products Center ▶

Niigata's leading gourmet spot

Echigo Yuzawa Hot Springs

The streets and station of Echigo Yuzawa Onsen are lined with atmospheric shops, making it a relaxing spot where you can enjoy just walking around.

Niigata Prefecture is famous for being the prefecture with the most sake breweries in Japan. At Ponshukan, located inside Echigo Yuzawa Station, you can enjoy sake tastings where you can try various famous sakes from Niigata Prefecture, and there are plenty of Niigata souvenirs and gourmet foods available.

One of the most popular dishes is "Hegisoba," which uses a type of seaweed called funori as a binder, giving it a unique flavor and chewy texture. At the hot spring inn, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine made with local ingredients, allowing you to spend a relaxing time for your body and mind.

Teradomari Fish Market Street

Teradomari Fish Market Street is also known as the "Tsukiji of the Sea of Japan." It is known as one of the best gourmet spots in Niigata Prefecture, and has a lively atmosphere that is unique to a seaside town. In addition to being able to taste freshly caught seafood on the spot, the stores are lined with fresh crabs, scallops, squid, salmon, and more.

There is also a wide variety of gourmet food to try on the go, such as freshly grilled seafood skewers and sushi, so be sure to experience the flavors and atmosphere unique to a fishing port town.

Take a closer look at Teradomari Fish Market Street ▶

Uonuma Village

Niigata's pride and joy, Uonuma no Sato, is a complex operated by Hakkaisan, a famous Niigata sake brewery. It is lined with traditional storehouse-style buildings, and you can taste local sake and cuisine made with local ingredients.

The brewery is equipped with a "snow room," a traditional food preservation method that uses large amounts of natural snow, and the natural cool air helps to maintain the freshness of the sake and ingredients, allowing them to mature and bring out the maximum flavor, while bringing out a unique, mellow taste. There are also tours that allow you to actually enter the "snow room," so you can enjoy the coolness of nature even in the hot summer.

If you want to enjoy gourmet food unique to the snowy country of Niigata in a quiet space surrounded by nature in all four seasons, then Uonuma no Sato is the place for you.

Visit the Uonuma no Sato official website ▶

A gourmet destination blessed with giant fireworks and nature

What did you think?

Niigata Prefecture is vertically wide, so each area has its own unique characteristics. For example, a very popular route would be to first taste the seafood in Niigata City, enjoy the fireworks in Nagaoka, and then relax in the hot springs and nature of Echigo Yuzawa.

The roadside stations and tourist facilities you visit along the way have pamphlets in foreign languages, so you can get around efficiently.

Why not plan a trip to Niigata this summer to enjoy the scenery that changes with each season?

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