Activities Echigo Hillside Park Rose Festival Kim Bergström From around early June to mid-June each year, Nagaoka's Echigo Hillside Park is home to a rose festival, with blooms in a variety..
Food Coffee House Shaker in Karuizawa Alicia Akiyama Coffee House Shaker is a homey cafe that offers Japanese comfort foods. Located in Naka-Karuizawa, it is a secret spot for Karuizawa..
Activities Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari Kim Bergström Niigata is blessed with two world class aquariums - one in Niigata City, and another in Joetsu. The Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari sits..
Activities Tokamachi Snow Festival 2026 Mid Feb The Tokamachi Snow Festival has been held annually since 1950, and provides a fun way to enjoy the snow that this region of Japan..
Activities Ojiya Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026 Late Feb Ojiya, in Niigata's snow country, has an annual hot air balloon festival. There's both a hot air balloon competition, as..
Food Shizuoka City Quality Green Tea Cafes Samuel Richards Shizuoka City is home to many green tea cafes, but there are some that stand above the rest when it comes to fusing a quality refined..
Activities Shiraito Falls Christmas Session 2025 Late Dec Shiraito falls are located in Karuizawa, Nagano. They are lit up during select periods during the winter. The first of those illumination..
Activities Tsumekizaki Narcissus Festival 2025-2026 Dec 20th - Jan 31st The Tsumekizaki Narcissus Festival is held every year from December 20th until January 31st, when over 3 million white daffodils..
