Not just autumn leaves! "Uehara Cosmos Garden"Uonuma Autumn Scenic Views and Surrounding Sightseeing & Gourmet Guide

Autumn in Uonuma City isn't just about the autumn leaves.

At Uwappara Cosmos Garden , one of the largest in Niigata Prefecture , the entire Takaharu is covered in beautiful cosmos flowers from September to October.

This article will introduce the attractions and highlights of Uehara Cosmos Garden, how to get there, and the surrounding gourmet and tourist spots . It's packed with useful information for planning your autumn trip or drive to Uonuma.

• Table of Contents
• The largest in Niigata Prefecture! What is the appeal of Uwappara Cosmos Garden?
• The excitement of cosmos and more! Scenic spots around Uehara Cosmos Garden
• Access and parking information for Uehara Cosmos Garden
• Enjoy the cosmos with these 10 local gourmet and sightseeing spots!
• summary

The largest in Niigata Prefecture! What is the appeal of Uwappara Cosmos Garden?

Uwappara Cosmos Garden is located in the Takaharu of Hirokami district, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture . The total area is 50,000 square meters, of which approximately 40,000 square meters is planted with approximately 1 million cosmos flowers every year. The best time to see them is from early September to mid-October . The Takaharu are large and there are so many flowers that by that time, more than half of them will be in bloom.

By the way, if converted into the size of an average household's tatami mats, it is equivalent to about 19,219 tatami mats!

A cosmos garden of this size is rare even within the prefecture, and it is a popular spot that attracts many visitors every year in the fall when the flowers are at their best.

You can enjoy two types of cosmos at this cosmos garden!

First up is "Sensation," a single-colored cosmos in pink or white. This variety is found in abundance locally. And then there's "Akatsuki," a rare cosmos with double-colored flowers!

If you pay a little attention and observe, you might discover something interesting.

Although it is called a Cosmos Garden, there is no admission fee . You can freely visit the spot at any time . Feel free to come!

By the way, Uehara Cosmos Garden originated in the days of the former Hirokami Village, before Uonuma City merged with other municipalities. It all started when people started planting cosmos in plots of land that had become vacant during agricultural development . The exact reason why they started planting them is unclear, but it may have something to do with "green manure," a method of managing fields. (Green manure is a method in which cultivated plants are not harvested, but are instead tilled together with the soil to be used as fertilizer for later crops. This has the effect of preventing fields from becoming degraded and fertilizing the soil.)

Thanks to this care, beautiful cosmos flowers bloom every year.

[Visitor impressions] (Quoted from Instagram) If you're interested, try searching #UeharaCosmosGarden on Instagram.

・It was my first time here, but there were so many cosmos flowers and it was worth seeing! The weather was also sunny and perfect! I want to go to Uehara Cosmos Garden again next year!

・I went to Uehara Cosmos Garden for the first time ✿ I was surprised at how much bigger it was than I imagined! I was embarrassed that I hadn't known about it before... I spoke to a young couple and took some photos. The girl's happy smile left a lasting impression on me ♪

The excitement of cosmos and more! Scenic spots around Uehara Cosmos Garden

Scenic spot 1: Amazing views! The view of Uonuma from the observation point

The first one is located at the Oku of the cosmos garden, where you can get a panoramic view of Uonuma!

From here you can see Uonuma city and the surrounding mountains, and on clear days you can clearly see the Echigo Sanzan and Mt. Uonuma.

From the right in the photo are Mount Hakkai, Mount Nakanotake, and Mt. Echigo-Komagatake. Locals call them "Hanako," taking the initials of each mountain's name. The slightly flat mountain to the left of the center is Mt. Arasawa.

If you're lucky, you might even be able to see the JR Tadami, known as "the most romantic railway in the world," passing through the countryside.

Also, in the early mornings of autumn when there is a large difference in temperature between day and night, a sea of ​​clouds spreads out, giving you the feeling that you are standing on top of the clouds!

You can enjoy different views depending on the time of day, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you come.

Recommended point 2: Feel like you're in Hokkaido! Enjoy the Takaharu scenery ♪

There is another great view point nearby.

To find the spot, simply walk through the cosmos garden on the opposite side from the city and look back the way you came .

There are vast fields and a long road running through them.

This view is so beautiful it makes you feel like you're in Hokkaido ! If you visit Uehara Cosmos Garden, be sure to enjoy this view as well.

Access and parking information for Uehara Cosmos Garden

Address: Yoshihira , Uonuma City , Niigata Prefecture Prefecture

Approximately 20 minutes by car from Uonuma IC or Horinouchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

Car navigation settings: Hirokami Baseball Stadium 198 Yamaguchi , Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture , 946-0115 (Turn left at the T-junction past the baseball stadium)

Parking: 20 spaces

Admission fee: Free

Introducing the Cosmos Garden in a video!

Enjoy the cosmos with these 10 local gourmet and sightseeing spots!

If you visit Uehara Cosmos Garden, here are some recommended spots to visit.

1. Komatsuya Fresh Soba (about 10 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

This soba restaurant is particular about its soba noodles, which are produced in Hokkaido and ground in their own stone mill. The noodles are a little thick and very satisfying!

TEL: 025-799-2056

For more information on Nama Soba Komatsuya, click here

2. Marumiya Sweets Factory (approximately 8 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

The Baumkuchen " Uonuma no Ki" made with 100% Uonuma Koshihikari rice is also recommended as a souvenir! This shop is filled with carefully crafted sweets, including cream puffs filled with rich cream and plenty of eggs.

TEL: 025-799-2112

For more information about Marumiya Sweets Factory, click here

3. Monozuki Village - Soba Restaurant Gentan (about 15 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

Local farmers and home-grown vegetable growers deliver seasonal vegetables every morning. This is a shop where you can enjoy shopping at reasonable prices. You can also enjoy lunch at a soba restaurant that uses local buckwheat flour.

TEL:025-799-4801

For more information about Monozuki Village, click here

4. Sacred Bath and Fureai Village (approximately 12 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

*The facility will be closed from Monday, November 17, 2025 to the end of June 2026 due to major renovations.

This facility is centered around a hot spring that is said to have entertained the gods who live in the nearby mountains. It is also available as a day spa. There is also a campground and a restaurant, so you can spend the whole day relaxing here.

TEL:025-799-3350

For more information on Sacred Baths and Fureai no Sato, click here

5. Uonuma City Historical Museum (approximately 10 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

The museum is scheduled to open in March 2025 as a tourism and cultural hub that will widely introduce Uonuma City's cultural assets and promote their appeal. Approximately 550 items are on permanent display.

For more information on Uonuma City Historical Museum, click here

6. Meguro Residence (approximately 17 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

Designated a National Important Cultural Property. This wealthy farmhouse, which also served as the official residence of the village headman, features the characteristics of a farmhouse in a heavy snow region. It is a valuable relic as a typical residence for village officials in the early modern period.

TEL:025-797-3220

For more details about Meguro Residence, click here

7. Echigo Yukikurakan (approximately 17 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

This historic sake brewery is said to have been producing sake since 1673. You can tour the brewery and sake production, including Yukikura, a natural refrigerator that uses the snow that is unique to this region with heavy snowfall. The tasting corner is also popular.

TEL: 025-797-2777 (Shopping and sake brewery tours)

For more information about Echigo Yukikurakan, click here

8. Eirinji Temple (approximately 18 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

This temple is home to over 100 works created over a period of 13 years by Ishikawa Uncho, the Japanese Michelangelo. The magnificent openwork carvings and vibrant colors add to the value of these works of art.

TEL:025-794-2266

For more information on Eirinji Temple, click here

9. Irihirose Roadside Station (approximately 25 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

They sell "Kihachi," a doburoku sake made with local Uonuma koshihikari rice, hand-baked rice crackers, local vegetables, etc. At the adjacent lakeside restaurant Kagamiike, hand-made soba noodles and the Yamagottsu hotpot "onigiri set" made with their own locally grown koshihikari rice are also popular.

TEL:025-796-2500

For more information about Irihirose Roadside Station, click here

10. Fukuyama Pass Hometown Square (approximately 30 minutes by car from Uehara Cosmos Garden)

A campsite in the Fukuyama area. You can easily experience the outdoors by renting a tent! We also recommend day camping while enjoying the warmth of a bonfire.

TEL:025-797-2366

For more information on Fukuyama Pass Hometown Square, click here

summary

We introduced the Uehara Cosmos Garden, an autumn landscape in Uonuma City that can be enjoyed in addition to the autumn leaves.

There are plenty of other great spots to enjoy in the area, including gourmet food and hot springs!

Please come to Uonuma in autumn to see the cosmos and Takaharu scenery.