01 Jun 2024

Soaking in the sights of Niigata

Our Japan's National Parks, Art & Culture adventure continued as we arrived at Niigata welcomed by two enthusiastic mascots, before heading out to explore the region as we chose best.

The parks group departed in the morning in a luxurious bus complete with chandeliers and gold tasselled curtains bound for Shishinokura Forest. Passing through the bustle of Tainai City, the numerous Pachinko parlours made way for endless rice paddy fields. Soon we were winding our way up through the lush forest and popular ski area, to start our walk. We climbed a stairway with roped rails under the forest canopy alive with birdsong, interesting insects and the fleeting glimpse of a Japanese Common Kingfisher. Before long we were immersed in the forest’s ancient beech trees, hundreds of years old, they were an impressive sight with swollen trunks and gnarled branches twisting skyward.

We stopped at the pink-marbled elegance of a local ski resort before arriving at Fukushimagata Wetlands, where we enjoyed our boxed lunches with 360° panoramic views of the sprawling wetlands and neighbouring Echigo Plains from the 6th level of the Fukushikagata museum. A maze-like collection of reed-lined waterways and ponds connected by boardwalks and bridges, 163 of Fukushimagata’s 193 hectares are designated as a national wildlife protection area and are home to more than 220 species of birds and a huge variety of plants including the rarely-seen gigantic lotus Euryale Ferox. Exploring this birder and botanist’s paradise it’s easy to see why this wetland makes Japan’s 100 greatest natural environments as we observed a range of birds, with some hearing the booming call of the notoriously elusive Bittern.

After all the action, nearby Lagoon Brewery provided a delicious respite with many enjoying the tomato soft serve ice cream and sampling the progressive sake flavours on offer.

The art group visited three excellent and varied museums. The Niigata City History Museum replicates a 1911 office building, with a domed central area and marble stairway. Inside the museum is a range of exhibitions featuring the extensive history and development of the area. The Northern Culture Museum is a well-preserved mansion from a wealthy farming family dating from 1882. The spacious tatami rooms, wonderful gardens, and beautiful ceramic pieces give a hint of their lifestyle. The Niitsu Art Museum was filled with fans of the manga Golden Kamuy. We donned our facemasks and joined in to enjoy the superb detail of the drawings and the drama of the story. The botanical garden across the road was the perfect spot for a stroll to end our visit.

Back on board Heritage Adventurer, we were treated to a dynamic taiko drumming performance as we departed Niigata. 

Images © E Bell, Heritage Expeditions