Dating back to the first 1700s, was appointed to enshrine Tadatoki Makino, the 3rd lord of the Nagaoka domain, by the Shinto-in-Chief in Kyoto. With affectionately nicknamed "O-yama" draws tens of thousands of visitors from all sides.
Yu-Kyuzan Park
Founded in 1919CE for a celebration of the 300th anniversary of the establishment of the regional government entity of Nagaoka District,featuring the Historical Archives, a zoological and water pond zone, and an open-play field. Also, Aoshi-Jinja Shrine, a baseball stadium or indoor swimming pools in its vicinity. It boasts 2,500 cherry trees in full bloom every April.
Commonly called "Sakana-no-Ame-Yoko" alley being lined with fish and seafood markets attracting many visitors from home and other parts of the country throughout the year.
Established by an old wealthy landowner in around 1896, where to attract many visitors to celebrate autumn foliage such as on rare palmate maple, mountain cherry and azalea to be set ablaze with crimson and yellow tints.
In lighting-up after dark, its fall foliage could be a scene of indescribable experiences.
A specialty renkon branded with "Okuchi Renkon" being raised in Okuchi area of the city. It boasts a verdant greenery in May and some 1,000 pink and white blossom reaching peak bloom in midsummer.
Niigata Prefectural Museum of History
Established in August 2000, it features the flame-shaped earthenware "Kaen-doki" excavated from the stratum of Jomon Period(15,000-2,800BCE). It remains dedicated to raising public interest in folk-cultural heritage.
Dedicated to the memory of Isoroku Yamamoto, a Marshal Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy, who died due to an assault by the US fighter on his flight for the tour of inspection throughout the South Pacific on April 18, 1943, before the end of the war. Well-Known for his decisive stance that he remained firmly opposed war against the US because of his experiences studying at US Naval War College, Harvard and his postings twice as a naval attaché in the US where he gained abundant knowledge on American character and a profound respect for their massive military power, amid the tense situation rendered by the aggressive regime and the rising public opinion for opening the way to war with the US.
Dedicated to the memory of Tsugi-nosuke Kawai, the head of chief retainers of Nagaoka Domain, is well known that he implemented restructuring programs of the domain at the end of the samurai period. And he moved ahead with arms buildup prior to the Civil War for Meiji Restoration in the late 1860s.
Established in 1989 to showcase elaborately farmed nishiki-gois (coloured carps) originated in Ojiya and Yamakoshi regions. Well-known worldwide as the masterpieces of nishikigois referred to as "Swimming Jewels".
It is said that the bullfighting had its roots in dedicatory matches to shrine held for over a thousand years in Yamakoshi - Ojiya area, which has been designated as a national important cultural asset in 1978. One theory holds that the local people bought the pack bulls to enjoy bullfightings from itenerants travelled with them needed to sell off the used-up bulls before heading back home.
Founded in 1936 to the memory of Kyohachiro Nomoto who was a major entrepreneur, a philosopher-thinker of social education and a local politician.
It features a well-selected collection of the remainders of Nagaoka-born historical characters such as Isoroku Yamamoto ( a Marshal Admiral of Imperial Japanese Navy ) having been influenced by Nomoto, or Tsuginosuke Kawai and Torasaburo Kobayashi in the time before and after the Boshin Civil War, and the other characters in the contemporay history.
*'Nyoze-Zo' comes from the Buddhist terms for a reservoir of wisdom and knowledge.
Spectacular fireworks dedicated to mourning for 1486 people who lost their lives by the air-raids during August 1 - 2, 1945 immediately before the end of the war. Over 20,000 firework shells are soared up into the night air of midsummer. It features the magnificent "Sanjaku- dama" shells with 35-inch diameter and the breathtaking fireworks "Phoenix" draw an audience of over one million on August 2-3 annually.
A festival in memory of Torasaburo Kobayashi, a senior leader of Nagaoka district under the new government of Meiji in 1869, also appeared in historical drama of the "Kome-Hyappyo". Historic pageant with 500 characters including the Makinoes, the lords of the Domain, dressed in period costume shows us the scenes of Warring States for 1500s-1700s on Saturday at the beginning of October annually.
In suburban Mishima area, known for its bountiful forest and fine springwater for sake-brewing and for processing fermented soybean products. With the handcrafted lanterns of felled bamboos from its forest, they launch the "Bamboo-lantern Lanes" in October annually since 2010. It draws many visitors to enjoy a mystical atmosphere with over 20,000 bamboo-lanterns arrayed along the old lanes.
Unmissable log sawing experiences under the scorching heat of the sun on every August 16, the well-known Log Sawing Competition being held in Mishima area attracts hundreds of skillful "Jack & Jill" from across the country.
Unmissable kite battle between Nakanoshima area of Nagaoka city and Imamachi area of Mitsuke city with the traditional giant kites bearing the emblazoned paintings of samurai warriors and legendary dragons of 4.3m long and 3.2m wide in size, draws a enthusiastic audience from on the first Saturday until the following Monday on every June.
*"Yuki-shika" referring to a trade name of the old ice dealers.
Well-known festival at Tera-domari port boasts traditional stage shows and area attractions on August 6 - 7 every year, where 5000 firework shells are launched indescribably up in the night sky on the sea on August 7 every year.
In this unique festival "Hodare" originally refers to bountiful crops of rice, people parade down a street with a 600-kilogram 2.2-meter-long priapic-shaped deity over their shoulders carrying some newly-wed women on its back to pray for their prosperous life on the 2nd Sunday every March.
Best known for its transparent seawater and scenic sites drawing many visitors and tourists. Also boasts an amazing fireworks show in "Gion Kashiwazaki Festival" where approx. 15,000 shells being launched into the night sky above sea on July 26 every year.
Situated at the headland facing the Sea of Japan featuring the views of romantic sunset on the horizon. Drawing many campers local and from other parts of the country during summer and autumn seasons.
Annexed to the Ryokan Memorial Hall ("Ryokan-No-Sato") located along Route 116, offering its local specialties including a local favorite "soft serve ice cream made from Guernsey milk" and 24-hour access to parking. Washima is well-known as a place where Ryokan(a world-renowned Zen priest and poet) has met Teishin-ni(a nun) for the first time, who would later become his lifelong partner.
Located along Route 352 by the Japan Sea, providing its local specialties, souvenirs and a place for refreshment, also 24-hour access to parking. Its archives showcase the glorious history of Izumozaki as a landing port of gold-silver bullions from the Sado Island and a transit point for trading goods been carried by Kitamae-Bune Cargo Liners between Hokkaido and Osaka via the Kanmon Straits in the 1600s - 1800s.