Spots in Myoko / Joetsu Area

  • Akakura Onsen Ski Area
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    4.0
    191 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nigata Pref. Myoukoushi Akakura Hot spring
    This ski resort offers a complete set of courses that includes beginner runs and a kids area. It has wide slopes and 17 runs spreading out over Mt. Myoko. Guests can ride a lift and moving belt from Akakura Onsen at the base of the mountain to quickly access the slopes. This resort is also popular for its additional night-time business hours and location that is only about 10 minutes away from Myoko Kogen I.C. on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.

    Good snow and had a great time with the family. I will be back next year. See you soon Akakura......

  • AKAKURA Kanko Resort Ski Resort
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    4.0
    121 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nigata Pref. Myoukoushi Tagiri 216
    This ski resort adjacent to Akakura Onsen is a mere eight minutes from Myoko-Kogen Interchange. Besides being easily accessible, its free parking lot with room for 1,000 cars right next to the slopes means guests can start skiing immediately upon arrival. The resort, Japan’s first officially-designated international ski area, has courses for all ability levels, but an especially good selection of intermediate and expert courses. The Hotel Number 5 lift offers guests a long course around 4,000 meters in length. A free ride park is also located along each course. For small children, we recommend the Chibikko Hiroba (Kid’s Square) located by the parking lot.

    There‘s serious off piste for the backcountry enthusiast. We tried to get to Mt Mae but ran out of puff just short of it. The powder coming off the was very deep! You do t want to get stuck in it...

  • Roadside Station Arai
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    4.0
    92 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nigata Pref. Myoukoushi Inoyama 58-1
    The Michinoeki Arai roadside station incorporates a business hotel, so that travelers can have somewhere to stop for the night without needing to come off the expressway. This is a very convenient rest area which, besides restaurants, shops selling local specialty products, and an information center, even has a laundry. Michinoeki Arai hosts a variety of exciting special events throughout the year, including the Kubiki Fair in June and the Yamashiro no Jin event in July, which often feature Taiko drum performances, etc.

    笹串だんごをお土産に頂きました。 ミニサイズなのでお味はそれなりかなと思っていましたが、意外と美味しい。 柔らかいお餅に、しっかり餡が入っています。 きな粉もかかっていて風味が良いです。 御土産にお勧めできます。

  • Fossa Magna Museum
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    4.0
    75 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Itoigawa City Niigata Prefecture Ichinomiya 1313
    The Fossa Magna Museum opened 1994 is a museum about rocks for learning about our natural environment and resources, as provided by the Earth across ages and geological eras. In the six-room exhibition area, you can see fossils and beautiful ores (jade) of Itoigawa River. Approximately 10 minutes by car via Itoigawa Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

    Excellent presentation of the nature and formation of jade, with a number of interactive exhibits that you could turn wheels to see things happen. Great educational value. Highlight was the AV...

  • Roadside Station Oyashirazu Pier Park
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    3.5
    79 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nigata Pref. Itoigawashi Tonami 903-1
    The Roadside Station Oyashirazu Pier Park is very popular, with the world’s largest bronze statue of a sea turtle (six meters long, five tons in weight) as its symbol, and it sits adjacent to the Jade Furusato Center with a display of enormous jade ores designated as Natural Monuments. Also, there are two excellent restaurants—Restopia with its famous cod soup meal and Oyashirazu mozuku soba, and Gyoka, with fresh food from the ocean and a great view of the Sea of Japan. Two minutes by car via Oyashirazu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

    Driving down the coast today we needed to stretch our legs and have a quick bit to eat. We had a bit of a run around on the beach and looked at the view. Good for a toilet stop

  • Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari
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    4.0
    54 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Niigata Joetsu-shi Gochi 2-15-15

    小さいけど展示方法が工夫されているというのは全くそのとおりで、他のレビュアーの方が散々書かれていることなので割愛させて頂く。 日本海水槽はこれを考案した人は人智を超えて神がかっている。まったくもって素晴らしいの一言。一見の価値あり。 訪れたときには鳥インフルエンザの影響でペンギンがおらず、アザラシも見ることができなかったが、これらの生き物のフル展示の状態時は少し満足度は上がると思う。 感想と...

  • Rinsenji Temple
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    4.0
    57 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Nakamonzen 1-1-1
    Rinsenji Temple is a temple of the Soto sect located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Uesugi Kenshin, a military commander during the Sengoku (Warring States) period, spent time and studied here as child between the ages of 7 and 14. The temple was founded in 1497 by Kenshin’s grandfather, Nagao Yoshikage, as a memorial to his late father, following which the temple became a family temple for both Nagao and Uesugi. The temple grounds are home to a splendid main gate, said to have been moved from the back gate of Kasugayama Castle. Visitors will also find the graves of the Uesugi family and memorial tower, and the Fureashi Kannon statue, said to make strong legs when touched with the feet.

    往時を彷彿とする山門が立派です。目的だった宝物館は肝心の謙信像がコピーで残念です。お庭にお花が可愛く咲いていて美しい。ここの駐車場から春日山城に登る裏ルートがあります。

  • Roadside Station Umiterasu Nadachi
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Transportation
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Nadachi-ku Nadachiomachi 4280-1
    During summer, you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor pools at the Roadside Station Umiterasu Nadachi, a compound facility with ocean-view lodgings and hot springs, so you can take in the joy of the Sea of Japan. You’ll find a fantastic night view with the Sea of Japan stretching out in front of you. Three minutes by car via Nadachi Tanihama Interchange, a Hokuriku Expressway.

    上越市へ日帰り釣りの際に訪問。 食事は当然海鮮系がメインで,男性でも満足する量だが,今時期コロナ禍の影響で座席が減っており,座席の確保に少し苦慮するかもしれない。 日帰り入浴(大人700円/名)はとても開放感がある広さで2Fの露天風呂からは日本海を一望出来る。(檜風呂やサウナもあり) クールダウンスペースはエアコン具合のせいか,若干暑さを感じられたが,2Fの方の 大広間はエアコンもよく効いており...

  • Seki Onsen Ski Area
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    4.0
    20 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Niigata Prefecture Myoko City Seki Onsen
    This century-old ski area adjacent to Seki Onsen is a 20-minute drive from Myoko-Kogen Interchange. Its well-balanced courses utilize the natural topography of the foothills of Mt. Myoko. Each course is designed to maximize enjoyment, whether it is the intermediate course, which features a ramp-centric snow park, the ungroomed expert course, a great place to enjoy high-quality powder, or the main slope, which has practice ramps. Their restaurant is popular for its hearty hand-made lunches. After a long day of fun, we recommend relaxing in the hot springs at nearby Seki Onsen or Tsubame Onsen.

    The area has over 20cm of fresh snow overnight so we headed to Seki Onsen. It’s a family run resort with two lifts and mostly ungroomed. It’s a fun place with deep and steep powder. But it does get...

  • Cupid Valley Ski Resort
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    4.0
    10 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Yasuduka-ku Sugawa Snowman Plateau
    This resort facility is in Joetsu City, Niigata. It stands out for having fun activities all year round. In the summer have fun with waterslides and a firefly walking tour while in the winter they pile the snow and make a snow-hut convenience store. Campgrounds and BBQ areas are also available. During winter snow seasons they have a school licensed by SAJ as well as a wide variety of snow activities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from beginner to expert.

    There are many ski resorts in Niigata. One of these is Cupid Valley Ski resort. We can enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, for beginners and high ranking people. We can enjoy it in...

  • Kasugayama Castle Ruins Field / Kasugayama Castle Ruins Monogatari-kan Museum
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    3.5
    24 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Niigata Joetsu-shi Daizu 334
    Kasugayama Castle Ruins Field is where Kasugayama Castle once stood, Kasugayama Castle was once famously the home of Uesugi Kenshin, a renowned military commander of Japan's Warring States period. The castle's earthen base, moat, and hottatebashira (embedded timber frame structure) have been rebuilt based on archeological surveys. Rabbitear irises planted in the castle's dry moat bloom around early May. At the Kasugayama Castle Ruins Monogatari-kan Museum, visitors can watch documentary videos on Uesugi Kenshin and how Kasugayama Castle looked in its prime. Museum exhibits also include items such as folding screens decorated with scenes telling the tale of the Battle of Kawanakajima. In addition, here you can get your card stamped to add to your collection of Japan's Top 100 Castles Stamp Rally stamps.

    春日山麓に有る上杉家の資料館です。城跡からの出土品の展示や川中島合戦のビデオも放映されていました。館内は撮影OK、また入館無料なので歴史好きな方は訪問を。

  • Jade Kingdom Hall
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    3.0
    23 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nigata Pref. Itoigawashi Omachi 1-7-11
    This tourist commodity center is adjacent to the JR Itoigawa Station. As the first stop for people sight-seeing in Itoigawa, there are souvenir shops selling goods such as local sake and confectionery, and B-grade gourmet restaurants, which serve Itoigawa Black Yakisoba, among other local delicacies, as well as a tourist information center, which has information on the various tourist attractions in the area such as Itoigawa Geopark. Another must-see is the 8-ton Jadeite stone, which is unique to Itoigawa. Nearby, there is a jade factory, which sells original jade accessories.

    糸魚川駅の南口に、ヒスイ王国館がありました。館内にはヒスイを販売するコーナーのほかに、糸魚川のおみやげがいろいろそろっている物産センターもあり、2階には観光案内所もありました。 列車で糸魚川に着いたら糸魚川の情報を得に、または糸魚川を出発する前に糸魚川のおみやげを探しに訪れるとよいですね。

  • Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nigata Pref. Myoukoushi Suginosawa
    This ski resort is located approximately ten minutes by car from the Joshin-etsu Expressway’s Myoko-kogen Interchange. It boasts one of the longest ski slopes in the country, approximately 8.5 kilometers. Since 80% of the slopes are suitable for beginner and intermediate level skiers, anyone, from children to adults can enjoy the winter sports here. In addition to the fun-filled snow park, with its various pipes, jumps and rails, advanced level skiers can enjoy the Super Giant Course, which include the Tengu Drop with its 27 degree gradient and the Hell’s Valley with its 38 degree gradient. The Kids’ Free Program is also highly rated, whereby children up to elementary school age can use the lift and gondola for free all day.
  • Gochi Kokubunji Temple
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    3.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Gochi 3-20-21
    This Tendai Sect Buddhist temple is a 20-minute walk from Naoetsu Station on the Tokimeki Railway Myoko Haneuma Line. The principle objects of worship at the temple are Mahavairocana, Bhaisajyaguru, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Guatama Buddha. It is said that the temple was revived at its current location on the orders of Uesugi Kenshin in 1562. The current temple was re-built in 1997 in accordance with ancient traditions with a modest exterior and dignified interior. In the temple grounds are an unfinished three-tiered pagoda and a thatched hut that was made by the saint Shinran. A seated statue of Shinran is enshrined inside the hut.

    越後国分寺の法統を引き継ぐ寺院です。見どころは新潟県指定の文化財でもある三重塔、江戸時代に建てられたようですね。悠久の時の流れを感じさせるお寺です。

  • Sasagamine Ranch
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    4.5
    23 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Niigata Prefecture Myoko City Suginozawa Sasagake Peak
    This ranch in the Sasagamine Highlands is a 40-minute drive from Myoko-Kogen Interchange. The ranch, which was founded in 1902, is located along the promenade that circles Sasagamine. It sits on a 1,300 meter-high gently sloping plateau surrounded by a number of mountains over 2,000 meters tall, including Mt. Myoko, Mt. Hiuchi, Mt. Yakeyama, and Mt. Kurohime. The ranch puts its cattle out to pasture around June each year. Visitors can watch see them leisurely chew grass all over the ranch from early summer when the yellow buttercups first bloom until the fall when the trees get their autumn foliage. The ranch is home to a number of large Japanese elm trees, creating a scenic beauty evocative of some far-off European country.

    紅葉がきれい、また秋は牛も放牧されているのでこれ以上ないのんびり感。都会にはない自然をふれあうにはおすすめのスポットです。

  • Tsubame Onsen
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    4.5
    11 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Niigata Myoko-shi Sekiyama
    A hot spring district located at the entrance to a trailhead leading up Mt. Myoko is known for the milky white waters of its springs. The district encompasses two free open air baths, however, they are not open in winter; from spring through fall, many visitors come here to enjoy a hot spring bath while taking in the area's gorgeous seasonal natural beauty. According to legend, the area's waters were discovered by the great priest Kobo Daishi, and of the seven hot spring districts which make up the Myoko Kogen Onsenkyo, this one is the oldest. The waters of the district's sulfur springs are said to treat such ailments as nerve pain, rheumatism, women's diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, and hemorrhoids. In ancient times, the area's waters were used exclusively for curative purposes and their quality is superb. Situated along deep inside the ravine carved out by the Otagiri River, the Kawara no Yu bath is known for its spectacular scenery, while the open and airy Ogon no Yu commands a view of Mt. Myoko; between these two open air baths, the Kawara no Yu is mixed gender.

    入浴料無料、男女別の温泉です。 入り口には寄付金の箱がありますが… 脱衣用の小屋があり、小屋には棚もあります。 お湯は白濁で硫黄臭があり湯の花が漂っています。 温度はそれ程高く無く、ユックリ入浴できると思います。 九月の平日、14:30だったせいか、私一人でした。

  • Yoshikawa Toji no Sato
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    4.0
    13 Reviews
    Transportation
    Niigata Joetsu-shi Yoshikawa-ku Tojinosato 1
    This roadside station (Roadside Station ) is found along the Arai-Kakizaki Line of Prefectural Route 30 in Yoshikawa Ward, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. There’s a free rest area, an information area, a farmers’ market, restaurant, and more. The market sells home-raised produce for both farms and individuals, as well as vegetables and fruits that are only sold locally. Many products are popular with local consumers and sell out by the afternoon. The Yoshikawa Toujinosato Tourist Brewery, open to visitors, produces and sells local brews and dairy products. Its gelato containing malted rice is quite popular.

    新潟県上越市吉川区杜氏の郷でしたよ。 地元の農産物と日本酒が充実していて さすが新潟と感じることができる道の駅でしたよ!!

  • Joetsu-shi Maizo Bunkazai Center
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    4.0
    18 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Kasugayamamachi 1-2-8
    This museum located at the bottom of the former site of Kasugayama Castle is a 20-minute walk from Kasugayama Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway. The mud-colored building, built in the style of Japanese-style homes, is a place where Jomon Period artifacts unearthed in Joetsu City are researched, stored, and exhibited. Guests can watch the museum's staff catalog and restore artifacts or try their hand at a number of activities including making magatama (an ancient style of curved beads). Due to its location close to Kasugayama Castle, the castle of the famous warring states period warlord Uesugi Kenshin, it is also the headquarters of the Uesugi Omotenashi Bushotai, a group of historical reenactors.

    日本百名城巡りの一環として初めて行きました。遺跡の発掘をしている事務所とおもっていたら、春日山城の展示をやっていました。上杉謙信について立派な展示があり、年表やイラストを交え分かりやすかったです。しかも入場無料なのがすごいですね

  • Takada Castle Site Park
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Niigata Joetsu-shi Motoshirocho 44-1
    Takada Park was built on the site of what was formerly Takada Castle, a castle built as a residence for Tokugawa Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu; the entire Park has been designated as an official Historic Site by Niigata Prefectural Government. A variety of cultural and sporting facilities are located within Takada Park, including the reconstructed Sanju-yagura (three-tiered tower) of the old Takada Castle, the Castle Museum, the Kobayashi Kokei Memorial Museum of Art, Takada Library, and the Mimei Ogawa Literature Museum (located inside the Library), making the Park a favorite place for local residents to spend their leisure time. With around 4,000 cherry trees, Takada Park is also a popular spot for viewing the cherry blossom in spring. Takada Park is located around eight- minute drive from Takada Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line.
  • Kasuga Shrine
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    3.5
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Kasuga 18
    This shrine is located ten minutes by car from the Joetsu Interchange, at the foot of Mt. Kasuga in Joetsu City. Enshrined here is a division of the deity in the Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara. It was the first deity to be divided in Japan, according to records in Kasuga Grand Shrine. The shrine was first built on Mt Kasuga's peak in the year 958, and then relocated along with Kasugayama Castle fortifications in 1381. The cedar trees lining the steep stone steps are rather impressive. The shrine prospered under Uesugi, the Shugodai (representative) of Echigo for generations, and from the time of Kenshin Uesugi, belief in this deity became more intense and it became worshipped as the tutelary deity of the region. The Kasuga lanterns lining the grounds are said to have been made in the Edo period.

    春日山麓に有る小さな、地元の神社です。説明書からですが、歴史は古く10世紀創建、奈良の春日大社の分霊になるそうです。

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Found along the northwestern coast of Japan, Niigata prefecture is celebrated for its high-quality rice and breathtaking nature, most notably its spectacular mountains, whose white peaks draw in snow sports lovers from far and wide over the winter months. Hit the slopes at Yuzawa, pick out your favourite modern artist at Echigo Tsumari, or take a ferry over to Sado Island for an extra adventure.

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