20 Parks in Niigata worth your time

Yūkyūzan Park offers cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and historical monuments, making it a worthwhile trip.

What it is

• Park opened in 1918 to commemorate Nagaoka’s 300th anniversary.
• Named after Mt. Yukyuzan, which lies just to the east.
• Founder of Eneos Oil Company, Yamada Matashichi, conceived the park.

What to see

• Cherry trees planted by Makino Tadatoki.
• Almost 250-year-old Aoshi Shrine near the park’s entrance.
• Monuments to Nagaoka daimyo lords and samurai behind Aoshi Shrine.
• Shiro the Dog Shrine, built in 2018.
• “Snake Bridge” constructed by senior citizens.
• Monument to educational pioneer Kobayashi Torasaburo.

When to go

• Springtime, especially early to mid-April, for cherry blossoms.
• Fall for autumn leaves along walking routes.
• November for Shichi-Go-San custom at Aoshi Shrine.

Official site

www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp

Read more about Yūkyūzan Park

One of Japan's first city parks, this national scenic spot features historic buildings, a shrine, and unique aerial gardens.

What it is

• One of Japan's first city parks, opened in 1873 in Niigata City.
• A national scenic spot covering approximately 7.0 hectares of land.
• A public space situated on the east side of Hakusan Shrine.
• A park connected to the Shinano River via modern aerial gardens.

What to see

• The Niigata Prefectural Memorial Hall located within the park grounds.
• A gourd-shaped pond known as Hyoutan-ike.
• The Enkikan building situated in the northwestern part of the park.
• A statue of Tama the Loyal Dog and a 1932 radio tower.
• Aerial gardens that provide a walkway to the Shinano River.

Getting there

• A 10 to 15 minute walk from Hakusan Station.

Official site

www.city.niigata.lg.jp

Read more about Hakusan Park

Explore a vast botanical garden with a tropical dome and outdoor areas, perfect for nature lovers.

What it is

• A botanical garden opened in December 1998.
• Constructed with power source location region countermeasure grants.
• Part of the larger Furusato Park of Flowers and Ruins.
• Operated by a group including International University of Japan.

What to see

• Dome-shaped Tropical Plant Dome, 30m high and 42m in diameter.
• Three appreciation greenhouses in the indoor paid area.
• Outdoor area with a peony garden.
• Outdoor area with a cherry blossom mountain.
• Over 100,000 plants across 19.8 hectares.

Getting there

• Closest station is Kozu Station on the Shin'etsu Main Line.
• Free parking lot available for approximately 300 cars.

Address

〒956-0845　新潟県新潟市秋葉区金津186 Map

Official site

botanical.greenery-niigata.or.jp

Read more about Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden

Ijimino Park is a large urban park with one of Japan's biggest iris gardens, worth visiting in June.

What it is

• A general park with nature and facilities.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.
• Covers an area of 89.3 hectares.

What to see

• One of Japan's four largest iris gardens.
• Iris garden has 300 varieties and 600,000 irises.
• Swans at Masugata Pond in winter.
• Ijimino Ochaya, a nationally designated scenic spot.
• Former governor's residence memorial hall nearby.

When to go

• Iris festival is held every June.
• Many swans fly to Masugata Pond in winter.

Getting there

• About a 15-minute bus ride from JR Shibata Station.

Official site

www.city.shibata.lg.jp

Read more about Ijimino Park

Funaoka Park offers cherry blossoms, monuments, and a peaceful pond, ideal for a short, scenic visit.

What it is

• A park in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Known for its cherry blossoms.
• Contains a cemetery for Western Army soldiers.

What to see

• Bonbori lanterns are lit.
• Monument to Junzaburo Nishiwaki's Funaryo no Kane.
• Monument for the Ojiya Junior High School song.
• Monument for Uko Washio.
• Plaza and playground equipment.
• Walking path on the eastern slope.

When to go

• Early April to early May for bonbori lanterns.

Getting there

• Stairs from Inaricho in the north.
• Parking lot from Kaminoyama 5-chome in the south.

Read more about Funaoka Park

Fossa Magna Park shows where two ancient landmasses meet, revealing Japan's geological past.

What it is

• A park exposing the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line.
• It is one of 24 geosites in Itoigawa Geopark.
• The park reopened on August 2, 2018.
• It is an unmanned facility.

What to see

• Rocks from Eastern Japan, approximately 16 million years old.
• Rocks from Western Japan, approximately 270 million years old.
• Pillow lava formed approximately 14 million years ago.
• Pillow lava is a natural monument of Itoigawa City.
• A walking path takes about 20 minutes.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Nouchi Station.

Read more about Fossa Magna Park

Echigo Hillside Park is a national park with vast gardens and winter sports, offering diverse seasonal beauty.

What it is

• A national park in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Only national park in the Hokuriku region.
• Opened in 1998, with operations starting in 1989.
• Managed by Echigo Park Management Center.

What to see

• Two main areas: Health Zone and Satoyama Field Museum.
• Nagaoka Kaori no Bara-en (Rose Garden) with 800 rose varieties.
• One of the 100 Views of Echigo Nagaoka.

When to go

• Winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Rose season for the International Fragrant Rose New Variety Competition.

Official site

echigo-park.jp

Read more about Echigo Hillside Park

Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari: a modern aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast, home to many Magellanic penguins.

What it is

• A municipal aquarium in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Opened in June 2018, nicknamed "Umigatari."
• Origin dates back to 1934.

What to see

• Approximately 300 species and 45,000 aquatic creatures.
• World's largest number of Magellanic penguins, about 120.
• Dolphin performances are held.

When to go

• Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Dolphin performances are year-round.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Naoetsu Station North Exit.

Address

〒942－0081新潟県上越市五智2-15-15 Map

Official site

www.umigatari.jp

Read more about Joetsu Aquarium

Explore historic castle ruins and enjoy cherry blossoms at this top 100 historical park.

What it is

• A park in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Includes the ruins of Shibata Castle.

What to see

• The Honmaru Omotemon gate remains.
• The former Ninomaru Sumiyagura turret remains.
• Tatsumi-yagura turret is a wooden reconstruction.
• Sanka-yagura turret is a wooden reconstruction.
• Castle buildings are lit up nightly.

When to go

• Cherry blossom viewing in spring.
• Admission is free from April to November.

Read more about Shibata Castle Ruins Park

The world's only Nishikigoi exhibition, showcasing 40 varieties of beautiful koi year-round.

What it is

• A koi exhibition facility in Ojiya City.
• The world's only exhibition facility for Nishikigoi.
• Opened in October 1989.

What to see

• An appreciation building and an exhibition building.
• A traditional Japanese garden.
• Indoor pond with 150 koi of 40 varieties.

When to go

• Nishikigoi can be viewed year-round.
• Closed December 29 to January 3.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Ojiya IC.
• 2-minute walk from Sunplaza-mae bus stop.

Official site

www.nishikigoinosato.jp

Read more about Ojiya Nishikigoi no Sato

Shibata Nishi Park is a memorial park honoring soldiers, especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.

What it is

• A park in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Dedicated to fallen soldiers.
• Adjacent to the former Shibata Infantry Regiment.

What to see

• Several memorial monuments.
• Etsusa Fallen Soldiers Ossuary.
• Etsusa Shokonhi monument.
• Russo-Japanese War monument.
• Siberia Expedition memorial.
• Guadalcanal Island War Memorial.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossom viewing.
• May 3rd and 4th for the Shokon-sai festival.

Read more about Shibata Nishi Park

Japan's largest cosmos flower field, beautiful in autumn and free to visit.

What it is

• One of Japan's largest cosmos flower fields.
• Opened in 2007.
• Developed along the former Mikuni Kaido.
• Covers 150,000 square meters.

What to see

• Vast fields of cosmos flowers.
• The official flower of Yuzawa Town.

When to go

• Early October to early November for blooming flowers.

Getting there

• 10 minutes walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
• 5 minutes from Kan-etsu Expressway Yuzawa IC.

Read more about NASPA Cosmos Garden

Akiha Park offers cherry blossoms, views, and recreation on a hill overlooking Niigata.

What it is

• An urban park in Niigata, Japan.
• Located on Akiha Hills, 80 meters above sea level.

What to see

• Akiha Pond, 1 hectare, in the center.
• Approximately 1000 cherry trees.
• A youth plaza, peace tower, and observation deck.
• A zoo area and a campsite.
• Gofukaku Observatory.

When to go

• Cherry blossoms are lit up from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Getting there

• South of JR Niitsu Station.

Address

新潟県新潟市秋葉区秋葉3-7383-4 Map

Official site

www.city.niigata.lg.jp

Read more about Akiha Park

Suntopia World is a retro amusement park with an Italian theme, worth visiting for nostalgic charm.

What it is

• Amusement park in Agano City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Opened in 1976 as Yasuda Island.
• Renovated and renamed Suntopia World in 1998.
• Features an Italian theme.

What to see

• Enjoy rides at the Italian-themed park.
• Spot locations from the drama 'BE-BOP HIGHSCHOOL'.
• See the park's mascot character, Topia-chan.

When to go

• Open from April to November.
• Closed from December to March due to snow.

Official site

www.suntopi.com

Read more about Suntopia World

Experience gold panning and learn about Sado Island's oldest gold mine.

What it is

• An experience-based museum focused on gold panning.
• Opened in April 1990.
• Commemorates the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine.
• The mine operated from 1460 to 1872.

What to see

• Gold panning experience areas.
• A historical archive room.
• A souvenir shop.

Getting there

• Bus stop located in front of the facility.
• Included in some Sado Island sightseeing bus tours.

Official site

www.e-sadonet.tv

Read more about Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park

This large sports park offers diverse facilities and green spaces for recreation and events.

What it is

• A large sports park in Niigata Prefecture.
• Part of Niigata Prefectural Toyanogata Park.
• Planned for the 2009 National Sports Festival.
• Opened partially in November 1998.

What to see

• Niigata Stadium, completed in 2001.
• Niigata Prefectural Baseball Stadium.
• A sub-ground and a canal.
• A natural ecological garden.
• Multi-purpose athletic fields.
• A restaurant and a skate park.

Official site

www.niigata-sportspark.jp

Read more about Niigata Prefectural Sports Park

Kamoyama Park offers a unique blend of nature and recreation, with a squirrel garden and a long roller slide.

What it is

• An urban park in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Opened in July 1992, with a squirrel garden.
• Located around Aomi Shrine.

What to see

• A cluster of snow camellias.
• A squirrel garden.
• A folk museum.
• A citizen's gymnasium.
• A 144-meter roller slider with a 32-meter height difference.
• Aomi Shrine.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk east from JR Kamo Station.

Read more about Kamoyama Park

Albillage is a large sports complex with multiple soccer pitches and a track, used by a professional team.

What it is

• A sports facility centered on soccer practice fields.
• Commonly known as Albillage.
• Managed by Niigata Sports Community.
• Used as a practice facility by Albirex Niigata.

What to see

• Six soccer pitches, some natural, some artificial turf.
• A clubhouse with a fitness gym and meeting rooms.
• A 400m track.
• A covered futsal pitch.
• A restaurant called Orange Cafe.

Official site

www.albillage.or.jp

Read more about Niigata Seiro Sports Center

Explore a historic water purification plant, now a park, with a symbolic illuminated water tower.

What it is

• A park on the former Nakajima Water Purification Plant site.
• The plant operated from 1927 to 1993.

What to see

• Historic buildings, including a water tower and pump room.
• Buildings are national tangible cultural properties.
• The water tower was built in the late Taisho period.
• The water tower is a symbol of Nagaoka City.
• The water tower is lit up at night.

Read more about Nakajima Water Purification Plant

Niigata Toyanogata Park offers science, sports, and green spaces across three distinct areas.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park developed since 1973.
• Consists of three independent areas: Meike, Shumoku, and Sports Park.

What to see

• Niigata Prefectural Science Museum in the Meike area.
• Niigata Stadium in the Sports Park area.
• Niigata Prefectural Baseball Stadium in the Sports Park area.
• Niigata Prefectural Library.

Read more about Niigata Toyanogata Park