Niigata often gets referred to as yukiguni, or snow country, and the moniker fits. Parts of the prefecture receive meters upon meters of snow each winter, so when springs comes it's a welcome respite. The region has a number of fantastic places to enjoy the best of the season's color, and this guide covers five spots to get your flower fix once the snow melts.
Takada Castle Park
The grounds of Takada Castle are home to over 2000 cherry trees, and they're one of the prefecture's entrants on the list of Japan's Top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots. The trees are illuminated after dark when the blossoms are at their best, allowing visitors to appreciate them well after the sun goes down.
6 -1 Motoshirocho, Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture 943-0835
Echigo Hillside Park
Echigo Hillside Park is home to a variety of spring blooms, but one of the highlights is the expansive rose garden. Opened in 2003, the rose garden comprises of six different areas, including sections dedicated to Japanese roses and an English-styled garden. The park also hosts an annual tulip festival with rows and rows of colorful blooms on display.
Mitsumata 1950-1, Miyamotohigashikatamachi, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2082
Muramatsu Park
Muramatsu Park has been designated as one of Japan's Top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots, and there are several thousand cherry trees on the grounds to marvel at. In typical years a festival is held when the blooms are at their best, which tends to be around the mid-April timeframe.
甲2631-1 Atago, Gosen, Niigata 959-1765
Gosen City
Gosen is one of Niigata's largest tulip producing areas, with approximately 1.5 million of the flowers blooming in the region from the mid to late April timeframe. A festival typically takes place during this period, with local products also available for purchase.
Ipponsugi District, Sumoto, Gosen City, Niigata
Hakusan Park
Niigata City's Hakusan Park is a pleasant place to visit in spring thanks to a variety of seasonal blooms. The park has a plum grove on the grounds, and it's also home to160 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, many of which envelop the aerial garden walkways connecting the park to cultural facilities like the Niigata City Performing Arts Center.
1-2 Ichibanboridori-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata 951-8132
