United Nations
Educational, Scientiﬁc andCultural Organization

Itoigawa
UNESCO
Global Geopark

Hidden Beaut y Along the Jade CoastTakanami-no-Ike Pond

Birthplace of Jade

Fresh SeafoodLocal Sake

01

Discover
National Site of Scenic Beauty
Oyashirazu Cliffs

Snorkeling in the Sea of Japan02

Itoigawa

Welcome to Itoigawa
Nestled along the Jade Coast between theNorthern Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan,
Itoigawa is a city of surprises with breathtaking
natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and an
exceptionally homegrown food scene. Chasethe sunset along the coast on the Kubiki
Cycling Road, experience beauty and art on aspiritual level at the Tanimura Art Museum &Gyokusuien Garden, or discover a closer
connection with the land around you at theItoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark. With somuch to do and so many things to discover, one
visit is all it takes to understand why Itoigawa is
known as Japan’s hidden gem!

National Natural Monument
Kotakigawa Jade Gorge03

Northern Alps

Where the Alps Meet the Sea
Itoigawa owes its breathtaking natural
beauty to its unique location, wedged
between the towering Japanese Alpsand the expansive Sea of Japan. Withdozens of hiking trails, mountain trails,campgrounds and more, Itoigawa is agreat place to experience the majesty
and beauty of Japan outdoors!

Mt. Korenge (2766 m)-Niigata’s Highest PeakRenge Nature Trails
Mt. Korenge (2766 m) is the highest mountain in Niigata
Prefecture. Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, theRenge Region is famous for its many hiking and nature
trails, camping, and the famous Renge Hot Springs (seepage 9). The autumn colors around Shiroike Pond areparticularly beautiful in October.

Himekawa Gorge and the Oito LineThe Himekawa River flows through the center of Itoigawa,carving out the Himekawa Gorge, flanked on either side by
the Japanese Alps and the Umidani Mountains. The Oito Linetrain winds through this beautiful gorge, connecting
Itoigawa to Matsumoto City and the resort towns of Hakuba
and Otari.

Takanami-no-Ike Pond

04

This alpine pond, located next to the Kotakigawa JadeGorge, is a popular summer retreat featuring campgrounds,
nature trails, a natural history museum and a restaurant
serving local specialties. It’s a perfect place to reconnectwith nature or just grab a bite to eat and some souvenirs
after a visit to the Kotakigawa Jade Gorge!

Japan’s Jade Coast
Deep in the mountains of Itoigawa lie the Kotakigawa andOmigawa Jade Gorges, Japan’s only gemstone-quality
jade deposits. Small pieces of jade and other beautiful
stones wash down the rivers and are deposited on thecoasts along Itoigawa and neighboring Asahi Town, giving
this area its name: The Jade Coast.

Jade Coast

Fishing Tours
Sea Fishing and Other Activities
Itoigawa boasts one of the largest fisheries in the regionand is a popular destination for anglers of all skill levels!
Experience fishing, snorkeling, SUP and a variety of otherpopular Japanese seaside activities at one of Itoigawa’s
many beaches!

Sunset & Tottoko-iwa RockSunsets and Natural Beauty
The evening sun setting into the Sea of Japan is one of themost sublimely beautiful and iconic views in Japan. There
are many popular places to enjoy the sunset in Itoigawa,including the Oyashirazu Cliffs, Benten-iwa Rock andTottoko-iwa Rock.
‘Tottoko-iwa’ means ‘Chicken Rock.’ Can you see why?

Sea of Japan

Gateway to the Sea of Japan
Over 50 km long ranging from the long sandy
beaches of the Nou Region to the rocky,
treacherous cliffs of Oyashirazu, Itoigawa’s
coast is loved for its diversity. The rocky pebble
beaches of western Itoigawa are known for theirdazzling variety of stones of all shapes andcolors. The skilled rockhound can even spotjade pebbles which wash down from theKotakigawa and Omigawa Jade Gorges.

Benten-iwa Rock05

Ski

Seaside Cycling

06

Rental Bicycles

The Kubiki Cycling Road is a 32 km long
bicycle path running from Itoigawa toneighboring Joetsu City. It’s a fun way toexperience the beauty of Itoigawa’s coast.
Rent a bicycle at Itoigawa Station or bringyour own! Cycling maps are available in
English, Japanese and Chinese.

Powder Paradise
Every year, more and more people are
discovering Itoigawa’s ski slopes. While
maybe not as big or as famous as
Hakuba or Niseko, with some of thecountry’s deepest powder, the slopes at
Charmant Hiuchi and Itoigawa Seaside
Valley offer skiing experiences you won’t
soon forget!

Ride

Kubiki Cycling Road

100s of Kilometers of Forest Roads07

FestivalsItoigawa Kenka Matsuri(Fighting Festival)
Every April 10, two teams of men representing
their respective district meet at Amatsu Shrine.
The two teams fight each other by pushing large
portable shrines called mikoshi against eachother. The festival is said to bring a bountiful
harvest of rice and fish.
After the fighting ends, local children gather
on the stage in beautiful costumes to perform
ancient ritual dances passed down over thecenturies.

Nou Hakusan Shrine Spring Grand Festival
On April 24, the people of Itoigawa’s Nou Region gather at
Nou Hakusan Shrine for its Spring Grand Festival. Childrenand adults dressed in colorful costumes perform ancient
ritual dances handed down over the generations since the1400s. At the festival’s climax, the stirring “Ryo’o-no-Mai”
dance is performed in the light of the setting sun.

Oumi Take-no-Karakai Festival
This unusual festival is held every January 15 near Oumi
Station. Originating over 300 years ago, the name roughlymeans “Oumi Bamboo Fight.” Two teams of young men
dressed in kabuki-style makeup engage in a ceremonial
tug-of-war using large bamboo poles. The winning team issaid to be blessed with a bountiful harvest in the new year.

Itoigawa Shimpaku

Tanimura Art Museum

Discover beauty on a spiritual level at this awe-inspiring
museum of Seiko Sawada’s Buddhist artwork, designed bymaster architect Togo Murano.

Gyokusuien and Hisuien Gardens

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The beautiful I toigawa Shimpaku juniper t ree,considered the king of bonsai, grows only on therocky limestone cliffs of Mt. Myōjō and Mt. Kurohime.

These sister gardens use Itoigawa’s natural landscapeto create living art which grows and changes with eachpassing season.

Hot Springs
Itoigawa is home to many natural hot springbaths―beautifully rugged outdoor baths
surrounded in the natural majesty of theNorthern Alps, luxurious hot spring resorts
and hotels, and small, traditional baths tuckedaway in charming hamlets― each is unique so
you must try them all!

Renge Onsen

Itoigawa Onsen

Himekawa Onsen

Sasakura Onsen

Maseguchi Onsen

Amakazari Onsen

Choja Onsen

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FoodSasazushi

Benizuwai CrabThis colorful local delicacy is made bylayering sushi rice, wild vegetables, pickles
and more on bamboo leaves.

Itoigawa is one of the largest producers ofbenizuwai crab. You can buy it straight fromthe fishermen at Marine Dream Nou

Koshihikari Rice

Namban Shrimp

Like most of Niigata, Itoigawa is known for its rice.
The heavy snowfall and crystal clear water makes forrice so good you have to taste to believe!

This small shrimp, a variety of amaebi, is popularly
enjoyed in sushi or raw as sashimi. In Itoigawa it isalso popularly served fried and as tempura!

Black Yakisoba

Geopark Rice Bowls

MonkfishUnique to Itoigawa, Black Yakisoba is a dish of stir-fried
noodles served in a jet black squid ink sauce. Each shop
has its own unique recipe so try them all!

Each of these colorful donburi rice bowls is themed
on a different site in the Itoigawa Geopark and feature
Itoigawa’s best ingredients!

This Itoigawa delicacy is commonlyserved in hotpot, but is also enjoyed friedor as sashimi. The richly flavored liver iscalled ‘the foie gras of the sea.’

Kaga-no-I

KenshinTsukimizu-no-Ike

Nechi Otokoyama

Yukitsuru

One of Niigata’s
oldest breweries.

Named for samurai
Uesugi Kenshin.

From the beautiful
Hayakawa Valley.

Made using only
locally grown rice.

From the historic
Teramachi District.

LocalSake
A combination of purecool water and abundant
rice makes Itoigawa agreat place for sake! Trysake from each of thefive local breweries!

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Fun
Rice Planting
Itoigawa’s rice is some of the best in theworld! Try traditional rice planting
methods, both planting and harvesting.

( Reservation Required )Fossil Hunting
Join in the hunt for 300 million year old
fossils at Fossil Valley next to the Fossa
Magna Museum!

Farm Experiences
Visit Itoigawa’s farms to learn about
Japanese agriculture!

( Reservation Required )Sushi Making
Learn how to make authentic sushi using
local ingredients and craftsmanshippassed down over generations!

( Reservation Required )Itoigawa Jade Coast
Itoigawa’s pebble beaches are covered
in a dazzling variety of stones. If you arelucky you might even find jade!

Fossa Magna Museum
Learn about jade and Itoigawa’s natural
history at this award-winning, world-classscience museum!

Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark
United Nations
Educational, Scientiﬁc andCultural Organization

Itoigawa
UNESCO
Global Geopark

In 2009, Itoigawa was inscribed as Japan’s
first Global Geopark. UNESCO Global Geoparks
are areas recognized for their globallysignificant geological and cultural heritage,
carefully managed to balance conservation,education and sustainable development.
At Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, visitors
can learn how the land around us shapes ourcultures and our lives, as well as the story of
how the Japanese Islands were formed and how
this violent process gave rise to the world’s
oldest jadeworking culture.
URL: http://www.geo-itoigawa.com/eng/

Japan’s National
Stone Itoigawa JadeItoigawa is the only place in Japan which
produces gemstone jade. Discover more
about its rich history at the Fossa Magnaand Chojagahara Museums!

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Major Sites of lnterest in Itoigawa
Marine Dream Nou

Oyashirazu Pier Park
Amatsu Shrine

Omi Seaside Park
Suzawa Seaside Park

Oyashirazu
Memorial Plaza

8

Oyashirazu IC

sen LinereItoigawa

Omi

Oyashirazu

Hokuriku Shinkan

148

Fudotaki Falls

NechiKotaki

Jade Gorge Fishing Park483

Campground

Takanami-no-ike Pond

Jade148

Woodworker’sVillage of Kijiya

Golf Course
Point of Interest

Renge
Hot Spring

505

Shiraike PondForest Park

Hiraiwa

Himekawa
Hot Spring

Maseguchi
Hot Spring

Fossa Magna Park

Joetsu City

Shionomichi Hot Spring
Hiyoshi Shrine（Otetekomai Festival）
Amakazari Sanroku
Shiroike Forest Park

Charmant Hiuchi
Snow Resort

Sasakura
Hot Spring

Amakazari
Hot Spring

Seaside Valley
Ski Resort
Myoko City

Nagano Pref.
Otari Village

By TrainJAPAN2 hr

HakutakaTokyo
3 hr 30 min

Hokuriku Shinkansen
Thunderbird

1 hr

Hokuriku
Main Line

KanazawaHokuriku Shinkansen

1 hr

Itoigawa City

Contact InfoTokyoOsaka

Hokuriku
Shinkansen

Hakutaka

NaganoHakuba

Hakutaka

Hakutaka

Hokuriku Shinkansen

40 minNiigata

Kanazawa

Itoigawa

Osaka

Kyoto

Yunowaki
Hot Spring

Umidani Gorge

Beach

Fishing Park

Kubiki Cycling Road

Tsukimizu-no-ike Pond

Oito Line

Kotakigawa Jade Gorge

Park

Hokuriku Expressway

Choja Hot Spring

Itoigawa City

Natural Monument of Japan

Tsutsuishi
Nou Hakusan Shrine（Nou Hakusan Shrine Spring Festival）

Nou

Shindosan Park

Kubiki Ono

Fudotaki Park

Ski Resort

Uramoto222“Michi no Eki”
Road Station

Touzaki Beach

Hisui Line Nou IC
Nihonkai

Chojagahara SiteHimekawa

Itoigawa
Hot Spring

Omigawa Jade Gorge

Major Shrine

Momokawa Beach

Hisuien Garden

Miyama Park

155

Natural Monument of JapanHot Spring

Tanimura Art Museum
Gyokusuien Garden

Kajiyashiki

Itoigawa IC

Echigo Ichiburi no Seki

Toyama Pref.
Asahi Town

Tottoko-iwa Rock8

Jade Furusato
MuseumIchiburi Beach

Nou Beach

Itoigawa Beach(Jade Coast)
Yamatogawa Beach

Lavender Beach

Oyashirazu Cliffs

IchiburiBenten-iwa Rock（Itoigawa Fighting Festival）

Oyashirazu Beach

JR EastOito Line

Minami-OtariJR WestOito Line

Itoigawa City Commerce and Tourism Division
kanko@city.itoigawa.lg.jp
1-2-5 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa,Niigata 941-8501 JAPAN

Produced byItoigawa City Commerce and Tourism Division

Discover More Online
There is just way too much to do and see in Itoigawa to ﬁt it all
into a brochure! Visit us online at http://discover-itoigawa.com
for detailed information, fun travel ideas and more!

Discover Itoigawa

Search12Issued Aug 2019