About Nagaoka

Nagaoka was established as a domain under the Tokugawa shogunate in the early seventeenth century. Local history is usually traced to the time when the warlord Hori Naoyori (1577–1639) began to build Nagaoka Castle in the area now occupied by Nagaoka Station. In 1618, the Makino family took over construction, and successive generations of the family ruled Nagaoka as daimyo lords for over 250 years.

During the chaotic Boshin War (1868–1869), Nagaoka allied with pro-shogunate domains and suffered defeat against the pro-imperial forces of the new government. Nagaoka was devastated in the aftermath but underwent a rapid reconstruction period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During World War II, heavy firebombing again reduced much of the city to rubble, but it rallied once more to rebuild and flourish.

The terrain within the city limits of Nagaoka is remarkably diverse, encompassing fields, mountains, forests, and coastline. Vast rice fields, winding rivers, coastal fisheries, lush forests, steeply terraced fields and ponds, snow-capped mountains, and vibrant maple-tree-filled gardens are just some of the sights to enjoy throughout the seasons.

Nagaoka has long been a renowned center of sake production, and 15 sake breweries currently operate in the city. The Settaya district is known for fermented food production and its many traditional breweries, while the Teradomari area is famous for the fresh seafood sold at Teradomari Fish Market Street.

Ramen lovers may appreciate the distinct regional style of ginger and soy sauce ramen, which was developed in Nagaoka to help people withstand the frigid weather. Other famous local specialties include hegi soba (a variety of buckwheat noodles), tochio aburage (thick, deep-fried tofu), and sasa dango (mugwort-infused sweets filled with red bean paste and wrapped in bamboo leaves).

On August 2 and 3, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival lights up the night sky over the Shinano River with a brilliant display of over 20,000 fireworks. The show, which lasts nearly two hours, attracts more than a million people each year and is considered one of the top fireworks festivals in the country.

Nagaoka is located a mere 1 hour and 40 minutes away from Tokyo on the high-speed Joetsu Shinkansen. Limited Express trains also allow visitors to access Nagaoka easily from major cities throughout the country.

*This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Nagaoka city council made YouTube video to introduce sightseeing spots and restaurants in Nagaoka.
Please enjoy the video!!

The spring in Nagaoka brings forth a variety of plants celebration the long-awaited spring thaw.
Yukiwari grass begins to bloom in early March, and tulips at Echigo Hillside National Park are at their peak from mid-April to early May.
The fleeting summer of Nagaoka is packed with enjoyable moments at the beaches,mountains,and fireworks shows.
Tourists from inside and outside the prefecture gather for events such as the Teradomari Fish Market Street and the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, which are lively.
In Autumn, the harvest season, maple leaves turn crimson as if they were celebrating bumper crops.
In the terraced rice fields of the Yamakoshi region, which is the original scenery of a Japanese village, the rice ears shine golden and the harvest season begins in September. At the maple garden, the autumn leaves are in full bloom from late October to late November, creating a peaceful and peaceful Japanese-style space.
Winter brings a blanket of snow and praises the beauty of the crisp air and magical landscapes.
The snowy scenery of Homodaira Onsen, which is located at the base of Takaryu Shrine, which is known for the dragon god of business prosperity, is also very picturesque.

There are business hotels, inns, hostels in Nagaoka City.
From private trips with family and friends to staying with a large number of people such as work and educational trips, we will meet various needs.

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The Nagaoka-Ojiya “Birthplace of Nishikigoi” Revitalization Promotion Council, which is made up of citizens’ groups from both cities, JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), and various organizations dealing with nishikigoi (multi-colored ornamental carp), sent in a petition to have their Rice and Carp Cultivation System Using Meltwater recognized as a Japanese Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries certified the council’s request in the 2016 fiscal year.
This certification signifies that this community’s agricultural system, handed down continuously through the generations, of using terraced rice paddies and terraced ponds to cultivate rice and nishikigoi has been recognized to be representative of Japanese culture. This certification also has a deep connection with the citizens’ pride and the development of regional brands.

experiences in Nagaoka

＜Hotokusan Inari Taisya＞



＜Teradomari Fish Market Street＞



＜Echigo Hillside Park＞





＜Momijien＞

＜Joetsu Shinkansen＞
Nagaoka is easily accessible from Tokyo.
It takes one hour and 40 minutes.

From Osaka：5 hours and 30 minutes
From Kanazawa：3 hours and 40 minutes
From Nagoya：3 hours and 30 minutes
From Sendai：2 hours and 25 minutes
From Nagano：2 hours and 10 minutes
From Takasaki：55 minutes
Echigo Yuzawa：25 minutes (one hour and 20 minutes by Train)
From Niigata：25 minutes (one hour and 20 minutes by Train)

＜Nagaoka Incorporated Association of Tourism and Conventions＞
Nagaoka Civic Center(2F) 2-2-6 Otedori,Nagaoka,Niigata 940-0062
Email:info@nagaoka-navi.or.jp

＜Nagaoka Tourist Information Center＞
2-794-4 Zyonaicho,Nagaoka,Niigata 940-0061
E-mail:eki@nagaoka-navi.or.jp