Enjoy Both Niigata’s Port and Sado Island!

The Northern Culture Museum and Ito Estate is a private museum in the suburbs of Niigata City, the first of its kind in post-war Japan, which preserves the former residence of the Ito family, who were once wealthy landlords.

Spanning 3 hectares and taking 8 years to build, the site captivates visitors with its main house, great hall, tea ceremony room, storehouse, and other structures, along with its pond garden and museum of treasures collected by the Ito family.

Within the courtyard stands a 150-year-old giant wisteria tree, boasting a trunk circumference of over 1.6 meters. Its many sprawling branches blossom with purple flowers emitting a sweet fragrance between late April to early May, illuminated at night during peak bloom.

The garden also becomes a spectacle in November, adorned with autumn leaves reminiscent of a colorful mountain. This vibrant tapestry is visible from the 100-mat tatami hall, and the interplay between the red and yellow maple trees and green pines creates a breathtaking contrast. The garden is also illuminated at night when the foliage is at its best, adding a sense of depth.

There’s also a souvenir shop, café, restaurant (reservations required), and accommodation (reservations required). Take your time to explore and immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Niigata. While most famous for wisteria and autumn leaves, the garden presents year-round charm with cherry blossoms in spring, lotuses in summer, snow in winter, and other seasonal expressions.

Address
新潟県新潟市江南区沢海2-15-25

Telephone Number
025-385-2001
Northern Culture Museum

Opening Times
●Opening hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (April-November), 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (December-March).
●Closed: None

Hakusan Park is designed like a Dutch-style garden with walking paths. Featuring ponds, artificial hills, and a carefully laid out display of flowers and trees, this beautiful park is one of Japan's Top 100 City Parks. It is also one of the first 25 parks opened in Japan and stands among other prestigious locations such as Ueno Park and Asakusa Park in Tokyo, Mito Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture, Sumiyoshi Park in Osaka Prefecture, and Itsukushima Park in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The park offers various facets of beauty in every season––cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in the summer, autumn foliage, and winter snowscapes. The Air Gardens, which connects Hakusan Park and Ryutopia (Niigata City Performing Arts Center), is a prime location for cherry blossoms. During the cherry-viewing season, the evening illuminations create a magical atmosphere. The park also features a playground equipped with swings and see-saws for families with children. Moreover, within the grounds are monuments and sites that tell of Niigata's rich history, making the park an iconic location to represent the locale.

Another attraction of the park is the Enkinkan, a partially relocated and reconstructed former merchant residence of the Meiji Era (1868 - 1912). The building features a tea room and Japanese-style banquet room, which are open for public viewing and utilized for cultural activities such as tea ceremonies.

Address
新潟県新潟市中央区一番堀通町1-2

The Bandai Bridge is a solid stone arch bridge crossing over the Shinano River. Decorations within the granite give the bridge a majestic appearance.

The current bridge is the third incarnation that was reconstructed in 1929 for the city’s modernisation. The Bandai Bridge was designated an Important Cultural Property in July 2004. Following Tokyo’s Nihonbashi Bridge, this was the second bridge on the national highway designated as an Important Cultural Property. The bridge is 306.9 metres long and 22 metres wide and survived the 1964 Niigata Earthquake. It provides an important transportation link for the local citizens.

The bridge has a broad pedestrian walkway and is best viewed from the promenades along the Shinano River. Take a stroll along one of the promenades or board the waterbus to really enjoy the view of this grand bridge!

Address
新潟県新潟市中央区万代2