Although Niigata's Gosen City is best known for its annual tulip festival, the region has plenty of other floral beauty on show throughout the year. One of the best springtime events on the calendar is the Gosen City Flower Tree Festival, which has been running for over 30 years now. The festival celebrates the beauty of various seasonal blooms including peonies and rhododendrons, and the peonies in particular are usually illuminated after dark.
The Gosen Peony Festival takes place at Higashi Park, which is located approximately 20 minutes on foot (or a five minute taxi ride) from Gosen Station on the JR Ban'etsu West Line.
For those who opt to drive, the park is around 10 minutes from the Yasuda IC or 15 minutes from the Niitsu IC on the Ban'etsu Expressway. Parking is available at the venue for up to 270 vehicles.