Niigata City

Niigata City is a city located in the northeastern part of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is the prefectural capital and situated at the mouth of the Shinano River, Japan's longest river. It is the largest city on the Sea of ​​Japan side of Honshu and the Shinetsu region of the Hokuriku region, and the only city designated by government ordinance. As a port city, Niigata has a long history of development. By the Edo period, it was already one of the important ports on the Sea of ​​Japan coast, and one of the five ports opened under the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan at the end of the Edo period. It remains a vital hub for both land and sea transportation today.

Nagaoka City

Nagaoka is the second-largest city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, located along the Shinano River. It is a city known for its resilience, having rebuilt itself after the destruction of World War II and multiple major earthquakes.

Key Highlights:

• Nagaoka Fireworks Festival: One of Japan's "Three Great Fireworks Festivals," held every August along the Shinano River to commemorate peace and remember those lost in the war.
• Cultural Heritage: The city is famous for its high-quality rice and premium sake breweries, thanks to the pure water from heavy winter snow.
• Nature and History: Home to the Echigo Hillside Park and the Niigata Prefectural Museum of History, Nagaoka offers a blend of beautiful landscapes and deep regional traditions.
• Innovation: It is a hub for technology and education, hosting the Nagaoka University of Technology.