Niigata Prefecture’s Joetsu City (上越市), renowned for its heavy snowfall, is a snowy wonderland.
In the historically rich castle town of Takada, snow falls gently, covering the surroundings in a pristine white layer.

Takada Park (高田公園) is a meticulously landscaped park located on the grounds of Takada Castle, the residence of Matsudaira Tadakatsu, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The earthen walls and moat that surround the main keep of Takada Castle still stand, preserving the castle’s historical ambiance. Within the park, there are reconstructed elements such as the “Triple Turret,” which served as the symbol of Takada Castle since a main keep was never constructed, and the “Gokuraku Bridge,” spanning the inner moat leading to the main keep.

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— 上越市まちひとしごと創生推進協議会事務局 (@joetsu_m_h_s) December 11, 2018

Takada Park, showcasing diverse scenes throughout the seasons, is especially famous as a cherry blossom destination in spring. Approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino cherry bloom in and around the park, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Illuminated by lanterns during the Bonbori Festival, the beauty of the cherry blossoms, accompanied by the Triple Turret, is recognized as one of Japan’s “Top Three Night Cherry Blossom Views.”

Access

Access to Joetsu City is convenient, with a travel time of about 2 hours from Tokyo by train and approximately 3 hours from Osaka.

Maruoka Castle, the only existing castle tower in Hokuriku