Major Events & Festivals in Niigata, Japan

All Topics about Niigata All Cities in Japan

1. Niigata Tanada Festival

Celebrates the unique terraced rice fields of Niigata. Features traditional music and dance performances.

Terraced Rice Fields: A chance to witness and appreciate the UNESCO World Heritage-listed terraced rice paddies.
Local Traditions: An opportunity to immerse in local customs, music, and dance.
Photography Opportunities: Stunning visuals of the festival against the backdrop of the terraced fields make for great travel photos.

Spring festival showcasing Niigata's cherry blossoms. Features food stalls and traditional entertainment.

Natural Beauty: A chance to marvel at the beauty of over 2000 cherry trees in bloom.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the sakura ambiance.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the ephemeral beauty of sakura trees in full bloom.

Spring festival where locals dress as demons and chase away bad spirits. Features rice planting rituals.

Cultural Experience: Participate in a unique cultural event dating back centuries.
Local Customs and Traditions: Witness the traditional rice planting rituals and Namahage performances.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the vibrant costumes and energetic performances of the festival.

Autumn festival celebrating the bounty of Niigata's harvest. Features food stalls and traditional performances.

Local Produce: Taste fresh and delicious produce from Niigata's fields.
Autumn Scenery: Enjoy the picturesque autumn foliage during your visit.
Local Culture and Traditions: Immerse yourself in local customs, music, and dance.

Fall festival dedicated to the God of Rice. Features food stalls, traditional performances, and rice-related activities.

Spiritual Experience: Participate in rituals honoring the God of Rice and wish for a bountiful harvest.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the beautiful autumn scenery, traditional performances, and vibrant costumes.

Winter festival celebrating Niigata's ski culture. Features competitions, food stalls, and live music.

Ski Culture Experience: Participate in or watch various ski competitions.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local specialties while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the snow-covered landscapes, ski performances, and vibrant festival atmosphere.

Winter festival featuring thousands of illuminated snow lanterns. Held in the historic Echigo-Yuzawa area.

Illumination Experience: Walk through a magical winter wonderland lit by thousands of snow lanterns.
Local Culture and Traditions: Immerse yourself in local customs, music, and dance during the festival.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the stunning visuals of the lit snow lanterns against the winter backdrop.

Summer festival featuring spectacular fireworks displays over the Sea of Japan.

Firework Display: Witness a dazzling display of fireworks over the sea.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the beautiful nighttime views and fireworks displays.

Summer festival dedicated to the mountain spirits known as tengu. Features traditional music and dance performances.

Spiritual Experience: Participate in rituals honoring the mountain spirits.
Local Culture and Traditions: Witness traditional music, dance, and masquerade performances.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the vibrant costumes, lively performances, and beautiful festival decorations.

Autumn festival at the historic Dewasanzan Shrine. Features food stalls, traditional performances, and shrine visits.

Historical Experience: Visit a centuries-old shrine and learn about its history.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture stunning visuals of the shrine, traditional performances, and autumn foliage.

Festival celebrating Niigata's sake brewing heritage. Features tastings, tours, and workshops.

Sake Tasting Experience: Taste a variety of Niigata's renowned sake.
Cultural Education: Learn about the traditional sake brewing process and Niigata's rich sake culture.
Photography Opportunities: Capture beautiful visuals of the breweries, sake production, and festival atmosphere.

Winter illumination event featuring thousands of lights in various locations across Niigata.

Illumination Experience: Walk through beautifully illuminated cityscapes and landscapes.
Local Culture and Traditions: Immerse yourself in local customs, music, and dance during the festival.
Photography Opportunities: Capture stunning visuals of the illuminated locations and festival decorations.

Summer festival featuring massive firework displays over Lake Chuetsu.

Firework Display: Witness one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks displays in Japan.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture the beautiful nighttime views and fireworks displays over Lake Chuetsu.

Summer festival showcasing creative rice scarecrows made by local schools and organizations.

Creativity Experience: Enjoy the creativity and ingenuity of the scarecrows.
Local Culture and Traditions: Learn about Niigata's rice farming culture through the scarecrows.
Photography Opportunities: Capture creative, whimsical, and colorful visuals of the scarecrows.

Autumn festival celebrating the rice harvest and the moon. Features food stalls, traditional performances, and shrine visits.

Agricultural Experience: Learn about the importance of rice farming in Niigata.
Local Food and Drink: Taste local delicacies while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Photography Opportunities: Capture stunning visuals of the full moon, traditional performances, and autumn foliage.