- History & Culture
Nanasha Shrine & Gohyaku Rakan
Nestled on a quiet forested hillside next to Hisuien Gardens, Nanasha Shrine is not a particularly large shrine, but it hides a few surprising secrets. Next to the shrine’s worship hall sits Rakan-do, a small Buddhist Shrine housing t...
- Nature & Best Views
Tottoko Rock
An unusual rock formation off the coast of Nou Next to Marine Dream Nou, this rock’s name means ‘Chicken Rock’ in the Itoigawa Dialect of Japanese. The rock looks remarkably like a chicken and at the right time of the year...
- Nature & Best Views
Tsukimizu-no-Ike Pond
Sacred Pond Famous for Wisteria Blossoms The forest surrounding Tsukimizu-no-Ike is filled with wild wisteria plants. When they bloom it is said that they are so dazzling that they block out the reflection of the moon on the water, giving ...
- Places & Events
- History & Culture
Salt Trail Museum
Museum dedicated to the Historic Salt Trail Located in a repurposed farm house deep in the heart of the Nechi Valley, this museum features a collection of over 2,100 items are on display here and include tools used by the ‘bokka‘...
- Places & Events
Benikyuu Japanese Sweets
One of Itoigawa’s Oldest Confectioneries, Founded in 1825 At Benikyuu, we make sweets unique to Itoigawa, taking pride not only in their flavor, but in the smiles they bring to our customers’ faces. Enjoy our sweets on special o...
- Places & Events
Hisuien Gardens & Jade Art Museum
A secluded Japanese garden decorated with jade A 70 ton boulder of cobalt jade greets you as you enter the gate to this beautifully-landscaped Japanese garden. Designed by acclaimed landscaper Kinsaku Nakane, the beauty of this garden chang...
- Places & Events
- History & Culture
Gyofu Souma House
Traditional Itoigawa-style Townhouse and Birthplace of Famed Poet Gyofu Souma This old-fashioned machiya-style townhouse was the home of Gyofu Souma, an Itoigawa-born scholar, poet and lyricist who left a lasting impression on modern Japane...
- Places & Events
- History & Culture
Itoigawa Museum of History & Folklore
Collection of artifacts and artwork from Itoigawa’s History Also known as the Gyofu Souma Memorial Hall, this museum’s impressive collection of artifacts largely come from the private collection of the late local poet and schola...
- History & Culture
Itoigawa Fighting Festival
Fighting Shrines Officially known as the Amatsu Shrine Spring Grand Festival, this festival can be seen every April 10 & 11 at Amatsu Shrine, a short walk from Itoigawa Station. Centuries old, the festival is held to pray for a bountifu...
- History & Culture
Amatsu Shrine
Amatsu Shrine is said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Keikō, about 2000 years ago. The shrine is dedicated to the god Amenigishi-Kuninigishi-Amatsuhiko-Hiko-Ho-no-Ninigi-no-Mikoto (or Ninigi for short!) Ninigi was the gran...