Three City Guide
Myoko, Joetsu & Itoigawa three city guide
Connected by road and rail the 3 cities of Myoko, Joetsu and Itoigawa are extremely easy to get to and offer a diverse range of attractions and deep cultural experiences.
Myoko City
Myoko is famous for its rich nature and deep snow. A great place for hiking, mountain climbing and of course winter sports.
Joetsu City
A large city, Joetsu is rich is history. A vast number of temples and shrines as well as many other important cultural and historical areas are located in the city. And of course, the famous cherry blossoms that bloom each spring.
Itoigawa City
A coastal city that is famous for its fresh and delicious sea food. The area is also an important geological area and features some breath-taking areas of natural beauty.
Mt Myoko
Mt Myoko is the dormant volcano that looms over Myoko Kogen. The stunning mountain can be climbed from July through to early November before the snow sets in. The mountain is one of Japans 100 famous mountains. The climb is challenging and rewarding with beautiful panoramic views from the summit.
More InfoTAKADA CASTLE SITE PARK CHERRY BLOSSOMS
In early April each year over 4,000 cherry trees (Sakura) come to life and bloom their delicate, beautiful pink blooms in Takada Castle Site Park. The nighttime viewing at the park is one of the most famous and spectacular in the whole of Japan.
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Takanami-no-Ike Pond
One of Itoigawas most stunning areas. This beautiful pond reflects the beautiful surrounds in its clear waters. The area has boat rentals, walking trails and a campground. A beautiful and peaceful area that is also great for photography!
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Kanzuri
Kanzuri is a famous special seasoning paste made in Myoko and sold all over the world. The factory and shop can be visited all year round. In winter they lay the peppers on the fresh snow. This draws out the salt and bitterness from them. If you are in the area during winter, you may be able to see this now famous sight.
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Kasugayama Shrine
Famous samurai Uesugi Kenshin worshipped at this shrine. You can meet his modern-day version when you visit the shrine and get your photo with him. As well as viewing the historical building and statues you can also walk to the top of Mt Kasuga and get some great views of the city.
More InfoBenten-Iwa Rock
Formed by an underwater volcano this massive sacred rock looms over the coast and has long been worshipped by sailors who saw it as a representation of Ichikushima the goddess of the sea. The small lighthouse on the rock still functions and there is a small shrine on the rock dedicated to the goddess.
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Crab Market
Being a coastal city Itoigawa is famous for its fresh seafood. The roadside station is a particularly great place to stop off and try some fresh crab. The shipping boats line up to offload their fresh catch.
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Kimi no I
This famous sake brewery has been making high quality sake since 1842. You can visit the brewery all year round. In the video we see them cooking the rice that will be used for making the sake. This is only done 2-3 times a year during the winter.
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Sekai-Kan Movie Theatre
This is the oldest still running movie theatre in Japan. A 5min walk from Takada train station, this traditional movie theatre is a great place to watch some classic movies. This beautiful building with its stunning wooden ceiling oozes atmosphere.
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Ryotei Ukiyo
A ryotei is a traditional high-class restaurant that represents the regions food culture. Ryotei Ukiyo is over 140 years old. The rooms in this historical building are beautiful and the history of the building and how it was used is amazing to hear if you can get a tour. The food is delicious & lunch requires no reservation.
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Fossa Magna Museum
The Fossa Magna museum tells the story of our planet and the birth of the Japanese islands. The huge collection of mineral and rock samples as well as fossils tells the geological story of the area.
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Tanimura Art Museum
In summer you can view the beautiful gardens. The art museum is open all year round. One of the last buildings designed by famous brutalist architect Togo Murano the building is as interesting as the sculptures it holds. You may wonder why we didn’t show the sculptures in the video. That is because you are not allowed to capture an image of the heads of the Buddhist statues.
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