Floating in a sea of clouds... Three Mountains of Echigo... Photo taken on December 17, 2022. From Uonuma City Higashinaka.

At the Uehara Cosmos Garden in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, a sea of clouds can be seen in the early morning on a clear day. It's quite a superb view! Photo taken on November 12, 2022

The Tadami Line connecting Koide, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture to Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, was fully restored in October 2022. In the snow, the Kiha E120 series train departed from Koide Station for Aizu and crossed the Uonogawa Bridge. Photo taken on December 16, 2022

In the Shiori Pass of Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, you can sometimes see the "cloud waterfall" of the sea of clouds cascading down like a waterfall. It is a phenomenon that occurs only when various conditions are met, and it is rumored among enthusiasts that "I want to see it at least once in a lifetime!" Please come to Uonuma to see the cloud waterfall! Photo taken on 2022/09/27

Introducing photos post "Everyone's post"! Inbound tourist information social media "COOL JAPAN VIDEOS" pickup post. Today, I would like to introduce Lily0321's post "Cleaning up the dondo-yaki fire held in a mountain village in Niigata Prefecture". It's a quaint piece that captures unique festival and traditional culture. In Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, the strange festival "Muko Throwing" and "Sumi-zuki" held in January every year are small New Year's events that have been handed down since the Edo period. Muko-tossing wishes for the blessing of marriage and the bond of husband and wife, and throws the son-in-law who got married the previous year off a 5-meter-high cliff. In addition, Sumi-gashi is an event in which charcoal and snow are mixed with dondoyaki (Shinto ritual, the god of sai) and applied to each other's faces, wishing for a disease-free life and prosperity of the family business. The festival is held at Matsunoyama Onsen, one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan. It is a historical hot spring that has a theory that it is a hidden hot spring of the Echigo guardian Uesugi family. Due to the strong salt quality of the spring, it does not cool down even in winter, and it is also called "Japan's three major medicinal hot springs". The hot spring town is full of sightseeing spots such as open-air baths, day-trip hot springs, foot baths, and gourmet food. At the "Earth Furnace" where the kominka was relocated, you can experience grilling the hearth and making hot spring pork. ◆Matsunoyama Onsen◆ 【Access】 About 25 minutes by bus from Matsudai Station on the Hokuhoku Line About 60 minutes by car from the Kanetsu Expressway "Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC" Please check the official website for details.

The other day I visited Niigata Prefecture for work, and in between work, I had a little sightseeing and delicious fish from the area. It was my first time in Niigata, so everything was fresh and I was excited for two days. [1st photo] The throat bowl of "Sushi / Kappo Marui" in Niigata City. The bowl with plenty of roasted acorn is delicious that you can never taste in Tokyo! It is a gem that I would like you to eat when you visit Niigata. [2nd photo] Vast Japan sea! I could see Sado Island in the distance. [3rd photo] At Niigata Kengokoku Jinja, where I suddenly stopped by, there were many people visiting at Shichigosan. [4th photo] Niigata townscape with the atmosphere of the Japan [5th photo] What's NiiGATA Monument [6.7] You can also buy souvenirs at "Minato Marche Pier Bandai". There are many restaurants as well as shopping here, so it is recommended when sightseeing in Niigata. Fresh fish is also available for purchase.

On November 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun), 2022, "Cool Japan Expo in NIIGATA" is being held at the Toki Messe Niigata Convention Center "Exhibition Hall" in Niigata Prefecture. This expo is an exhibition that gathers cutting-edge information in all fields related to Cool Japan content. It is a place where exhibitors with various products and solutions can interact with visitors from many industries, occupations, and positions. With about 175 booths, it is a major event where a large number of Cool Japan contents from all over the Japan gather. 【Main Exhibition Genres】 At Cool Japan EXPO in Niigata, booths of various genres are exhibited. ・Nishikigoi related ・Japan sake ・Local beer ・Wine, etc. Alcohol-related ・Agricultural products ・Agriculture, forestry and fishery products ・Manga ・Anime-related ・Traditional crafts ・Cosplay related ・Fireworks ・Embassy ・Overseas companies ・Household goods, interior, healthcare, etc. ・Leisure ・Amusement, accommodation, sightseeing, transportation, experiential services, etc. ・Cosmetics, hair care, etc. ・Manufacturing, craftsmanship, etc. ・Clothes, watches, accessories, etc. ・Artists, creators, venture companies, etc. ・Food, drinks, food, etc. It brings together all kinds of genres, from modern culture such as anime to traditional crafts that Japan have preserved for a long time. [Many popular entertainers also appear on stage! ] 】 On the stage set up at the expo venue, celebrities that everyone knows will participate and liven up the venue. Main performers Saturday, November 5, 2022 ・Wang Lin ・Geiko Furumachi ・RYUTist & courtesea ・CHIBIUNITY ・Gangnam Shinobu × Furumachi Performing Arts Center ・ASHITAKA ・Jonnobi Village Association PR ・Albirex Niigata ・Young cabbage ・Nangu & Niigata Sister Sunday, November 6, 2022 ・Sho Aikawa ・The Sato Brothers ・Toshihiko Nakazawa ・Eri Ogawa ・NGT48 ・Hinata & Rafvery ・Jackpot ・Hirokazu Nakamura 【Cool Japan EXPO in Niigata Detailed Overview Information】 Date & Time: November 5 (Sat) & 6 (Sun), 2022 10:00~17:00 (2 days) Venue: Toki Messe Niigata Convention Center "Exhibition Hall" Address: 〒950-0078 6-1 Bandaijima, Chuo-ku, Niigata City Admission: Free Access by train: Get off at Niigata Station and walk about 20 minutes

I took this at a traditional salmon shop in Murakami city, Niigata. Late fall is the season of salmon. The sunlight was like a spotlight shining on the main character of the city, salmon. Imagning the effort put into this, I could feel the pride and love for salmon of the city. They have a restaurant serving traditional salmon dishes. It's called Sennenzake Kikkawa. The waitress will explain every dish and what's unique about the salmon from Murakami city, which was really interesting.

Shiohiki salmon is a salmon dish that represents Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture. The ingredients are only selected salmon and natural coarse salt, and are exposed to the cold northwest wind for three weeks, where they slowly dry while fermenting, maturing, and condensing the umami. The scenery of 1,000 salted salmon hanging has become a winter tradition in Murakami. It is a scenery that reminds me every time I taste a salmon dish.

Recently we had some different kind of travel experience during our Niigata tour. We heard about the jade beach of Itoigawa and just for fun went there to enjoy real life treasure hunt experience. The day was sunny and the beautiful stone beach shine bright. Frankly speaking if you stand near the sea shore call colorful pebbles look like expensive stones ? and me and my wife collected a lot of stones regardlessly shape and color. This was our first time jade collecting experience and we knew a few things so we didn't expect to get any. Till we dont know if we have any jade or not but few of our stones looks translucent with bright green color under flash light. We shared one of it. Jade or not, for us it is a priceless stone as we have a lot of happy memories with it.

<Impressive Nagaoka Fireworks> Nagaoka fireworks for the first time in three years. Since it is a Coronavirus pandemic, it is held only for paid seats. It had been a long time, so I shot in Phoenix with tears in my eyes. It was a firework with repose of souls, memorials, and determination for tomorrow. Normally, it was 1.2 km, but this time it was a 2 km gimmick, which surprised me! Even if you come all the way, it is a firework that always impresses you.

I went to the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata Prefecture for the first time. I was moved from start to finish.

I went to the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata Prefecture for the first time. I was moved from start to finish.

Sunset over Sado

Shot at Takada Castle Park in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. The Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom and the Myoko mountain range dyed in snow were superb views, so I took this one without thinking. The cloudless blue sky and superb view were reflected on the surface of the water, and the water surface was also a wonderful view.

Newlyweds at the son-in-law ink festival at Matsunoyama Onsen, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture After the son-in-law is thrown, a tower called the Sai no kami (Sai no kami) is burned (the so-called sagicho, a kind of tondo-yaki), and the remaining ink is applied to each other's faces while saying "congratulations" to praying for a disease-free life.

Yahiko Shrine in Niigata Prefecture Every year in June, the Kaya no wa Festival is held. We visit you every year to exorcise disasters

Dondo grill in the snow country

Cleaning up a dondo-yaki fire in a mountain village in Niigata Prefecture. The "Suminuri Festival" was also held, so my face is black with charcoal. Even though it was snowing, the old-fashioned appearance was impressive.

The New Year's event "Sumi-zuki" can be seen in various parts of the Japan. "Sumi-zuki" is a strange festival that burns the god of sai and prays for a good harvest and disease-free life that year. The photo shows the locals who really enjoyed the "Son-in-law Throwing and Suminuri" festival at Matsunoyama Onsen in Niigata Prefecture.

Autumn ? leaves in Naeba in Niigata Prefecture Aerial walk at Naeba Dragondora You can ? encounter the superb scenery of autumn

Lotus flowers ? seen in the afternoon Even if the flowers are closed, they are so beautiful ☺️ It was a beauty that made me look forward to seeing what it would look like when I opened it.

What an incredible photo, the coloring of the floats goes perfectly with the sunset and the clouds. What an awesome looking festival. I've never heard about Murakami Taisai, but it looks like it's about 400 years old now and some of the floats created 200 years ago are still used even today. I've never actually visited Niigata but it looks like a fun place. Just inconveniently placed I guess lol. Seeing cool photos like this though really makes me want to visit. This festival is in early July as well, so not too far off. Might be cool to visit and get some of the festival food I've been missing out on. Can always make yakisoba at home but it just never really hits the same as some made at a yatai!

Wow, what an amazing photo. It so cool to see different angles like this. Back in America the orientation of the stars is different and it makes two very different skies (I think I prefer this angle more personally). This Myoko Sunshine Land looks interesting though. Might be a fun place to go on a date. Or if you have kids obviously it'd be great for that. Niigata is just a little outside of day travel distance though so I'd love to visit here, but it'd be in the future definitely. Maybe I can get a decent camera and try to start taking some pictures like this, although I doubt I'd be able to snap anything this good lol

It's like a winter wonderland! Looks really cold though lol. I'd seen on the news how bad the snow was getting in parts of Akita, especially Yokote but it looks like it's just cold everywhere this year. The plus side is Japan has a lot of beautiful scenery so when the snow starts to pile up like this it makes for some beautiful photography (like we're seeing here). I really like this photo though, you can practically hear how quiet and cold it is. It almost makes me want to get outside and go camping with a big ol' campfire and a heavy duty tent. I know my girlfriend would never agree to go though to a place with this much snow though ?Hope everyone is staying safe from the cold! Be sure to take some photos of the beautiful scenery while you can though. No snow here in Tokyo though (unfortunately??).

・ ? Qingdao Restaurant (1st time) SNS → homepage. <お店の情報> The original Nagaoka ginger soy sauce ramen. There are several stores in Niigata Prefecture and one in Akihabara, Tokyo. The Miyauchi Station front store is the main store. There is a parking lot for 4 cars behind the shop. There is a ticket vending machine under the eaves of the main entrance. There is only an L-shaped counter in the store. You can draw water and leave it. The clerk was only a woman. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. <Point> (1) Ginger soy sauce ramen. The original Nagaoka ginger soy sauce ramen, which now has many shops in the prefecture. There are also shops outside the prefecture that serve ginger soy sauce ramen. (2) Nostalgic atmosphere. A long-established store founded in 1963. The outside and inside of the store also exude a nostalgic atmosphere. (3) Limited menu. Ramen is only ginger soy sauce ramen. There is a style that increases the amount of toppings and noodles. Except for toppings, only alcoholic beverages. It seems to go well with rice, but it is not served. < Qingdao Ramen (800 yen)> Rice bowl and good ramen and good nostalgia ✨ The noodles are 175g in normal size! The flavor of ginger is addictive, and the crisp soy sauce feeling is irresistible ?. Homemade multi-hydrated noodles also go well with the soup. The thin char siu has a good flavor and a good ? texture. Spinach is a good balance! Thank you for the delicious feast ^ ^

・ ? Ichii (1st time) No social media→. <お店の情報> A shop that popularized grilled chin dashi ramen. A long-established store with more than 20 years. Since it is only open during the day, the hurdle is high. There was a parking lot for 10 cars, but it was under construction and there were about 6 cars. However, when I asked the shopkeeper, he said that he could park because he rented the parking lot of the restaurant and drugstore next door. It is a rare queue shop to wait ? for a representative. There are counter and table seats. Purchase at a ticket vending machine. They also sell souvenir ramen. <Point> (1) There is only one type of ramen. The ramen that has been carefully selected is only grilled chin salt. After that, you can ask for additional toppings that you like. (2) Stylish atmosphere. kominka inside the store looks like a coffee shop. It feels like it's not a ramen shop. (3) Pleasant customer service. Anyway, the customer service is pleasant. The wording and consideration are wonderful. The clerk has a rare pattern of one man and five women. < grilled chin salt (900 yen)> Chin soup stock previous light soup ? It's fragrant and addictive! Soft char siu is irresistible ✨ It is rare to ride a jellyfish. I like the texture of the crunchy (^-^) The crispy green onions and mizuna are also the best! Medium-thin noodles have moderate elasticity and go well ? ♂️ with soup. Thank you for the delicious feast ^ ^ Anyway, the customer service is too impressive!

・ ? Hangzhou Hotel (1st time) No SNS →. <お店の情報> The original of Tsubame Sanjo ramen. If you go to Niigata Prefecture, you should definitely keep this shop in mind. There is a parking lot near the store and can park about 50 cars. There are 80 seats, but there are still queues at lunchtime. Postpaid by order. Water is self. <Point> (1) The original Tsubame Sanjo lineage. Ramen with plenty of back fat. Many people come from outside the prefecture in search of this. (2) The menu is extensive. Chinese soba is famous, but there are also other noodles, rice, single dishes, weekday service menus (stir-fried vegetable rice, mapo rice), special menus (beef tendon stew set meals), and drinks. (3) Popular local stores. There is a lot of parking and seating, but there is still a line. Shared seating is natural and rotation is good. < Chinese soba (850 yen)> The toppings of Chinese soba are only a large serving and onions! Back fat chacha ramen ? The surface is full of back fat and is hot and difficult to cool. Rich soy sauce ✨ with good seafood It's full of back fat, but it's not persistent at all. The thick curly noodles are so firm that I think they are udon. It goes great with crisp onions! Thank you for the delicious feast ^ ^

・ ? Noodle shop Sakamoto 01 (1st time) SNS→Instagram、Twitter <お店の情報> Tokyo's noodle shop Sakamoto 01's relocation to Niigata? It has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award and is highly anticipated! It is close to Niigata Prefectural Station and easy to access. Sakamoto 01 has a shop on the first floor of the hotel, and the shop in front of the automatic door is Sakamoto01. There is an alcohol spray at the entrance. Buy ? ♂️ first at the ticket vending machine There are 13 seats at the counter only! Seats were reserved and water, towels, and chopsticks were placed. <Point> (1) Beautiful ramen. Ramen with beautifully arranged noodle lines. You can enjoy ✨ it from the appearance (2) Excellent cost performance. The standard menu starts at 700 yen and is excellent cost performance! It is also topped ? (3) Stylish atmosphere. The inside of the store is clean and beautiful! U-shaped counter is ? ♂️ spacious There is a hanger rack near the entrance of the luggage compartment. <01 Chinese soba (700 yen), 4 wontons topped (300 yen)> Beautiful ramen from the appearance! The noodle line is too ? beautiful You may not be able to imagine it from the appearance, but it is surprisingly hot. It seems to be using beef tallow, and I was surprised by the taste that I ? had never eaten before. The medium-thick straight noodles were a little firm, but they fit well! The toppings are all good, and the sansho pepper is ? a nice accent. Thank you for the delicious feast ^ ^