Celebrate Japan’s heritage with cherry blossom festivals, Gion Matsuri, and the Echigo Kenshin Sake Festival near LOTTE ARAI RESORT.

Late March–Mid-April | Takada Castle Site Park
Just thirty minutes by car from LOTTE ARAI RESORT.
The Takada Castle Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Party held in early April is one of the three major night cherry blossom viewing events in Japan and is very popular bustling with many people. It also has the largest number of yatai food stalls in Japan. The illuminated cherry blossoms in full bloom, the three-story turret, and the mirror-like moat are breathtakingly beautiful.

There are various fireworks festivals around the Joetsu region, including the Nagaoka Festival, one of the largest in Japan.
Joetsu Festival Grand Fireworks Display (Naoetsu Area) | July 26 every year
Gion Kashiwazaki Festival Seaside Big Fireworks Display | July 26 every year
Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Display | August 2–3 every year
Nagano Ebisu-ko Fireworks Display | November 20 every year

Situated approximately a 30-minute drive from LOTTE ARAI RESORT, the Takada and Naoetsu districts jointly host the vibrant Gion Matsuri each summer. The Takada Gion Matsuri is held from July 23 to 26, followed by the Naoetsu Gion Matsuri from July 27 to 29, with a ceremonial float uniting the two districts. Designated as a Niigata Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2009, the festival provides guests with an opportunity to immerse themselves in traditional culture through events such as the "Koyasho," featuring temporary tavern events and an array of food stalls.

Mid-July to late August | Takada Castle Site Park
The lotus flowers, almost completely filling the outer moat (19 hectares) of Takada Castle Site Park, are referred to as the largest in the East in terms of both size and beauty.

A mere 20-minute drive from LOTTE ARAI RESORT, the Joetsu region is home to the annual Echigo Kenshin Sake Festival. This event showcases a diverse selection of sake, alongside wine, makgeolli, and local beers, offering a comprehensive insight into Joetsu's time-honored brewing culture. Attracting a significant number of visitors annually, the festival also presents an assortment of local delicacies, ensuring enjoyment for all attendees, including those who may not partake in alcoholic beverages.

First Saturday and Sunday of February | Kanayasan (Joetsu City)
This event will be held at Kanayasan Ski Resort, the birthplace of skiing in Japan. Enjoy a variety of events such as a demonstration of one-stick skiing, which was introduced by Major Theodor Edler von Lerch, a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
*Provided by the Joetsu Tourism Convention Association (public corporation)

Merely a 40-minute drive from LOTTE ARAI RESORT, the city of Iiyama organizes the annual Winter Kamakura Festival from late January through to the conclusion of February. During this interval, more than twenty substantial igloos grace the snowy landscape, providing an opportunity for visitors to relish warm hot pot dishes within these structures. The 'Kamakura Village' restaurant, a prominent feature of the festival, offers an exemplary venue for families to craft enduring winter memories.

Zenkoji Temple has a history of about 1,400 years since its founding, and its principal image is the Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai, said to be the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan. As a temple for the common people that accepts everyone without discrimination regardless of sect, many worshippers from Japan and abroad visit the temple

Mid-July | Sekiyama Shrine (Myoko)
The Sekiyama Shrine Fire Festival is a festival born from the faith in Mt. Myoko and boasts a tradition of over 1,200 years. Kariyamabushi stick fighting, pine pulling, mikoshi (portable shrine) procession, and votive sumo will be performed by the Sekiyama Shrine parishioner youth association.

The fourth Saturday of February | Yasuzuka, Oshima, Uragawara, and Maki Wards in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
The “Corridor of Lights” is an event where about 100,000 candles are lit along the roads in the mountainous areas of Joetsu. From children to seniors, local residents put their hearts into making each candle. Enjoy the silent but warm world of snow. On the day, large and small snow sculptures are created in various places, and many food stalls (yatai) are also open.