While Niigata is a Mecca for powder-hounds, ski bunnies, and winter-lovers, the Snow Country’s monochrome palette melts into a lush landscape during the “green seasons” of spring and summer, with no shortage of outdoor activities. Here, you can take advantage of natural attractions like beautiful beaches (https://edge-of-niigata.com/blog/4828/) and powerful waterfalls (https://edge-of-niigata.com/blog/4925/), as well as stunning mountainous views. There are truly far too many ways to enjoy Niigata’s warmer months to list in one article, but we’re going to do our best.

Hiking

Niigata’s imposing mountains are not only responsible for massive amounts of its annual snowfall but also provide some of the best—and most challenging—climbing destinations in the nation. Even seasoned pros will feel the burn trekking up the Echigo Sanzan (Three Mountains of Echigo), and the alpine peaks of the Iide and Asahi ranges. If you’re a multitasker, you can tick off two of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains with a hike up Mt. Hiuchi and neighboring Mt. Myoko. For the spiritually inclined, pay homage to the divine on the slopes of Mt. Yahiko, the sacred mountain that watches over Yahiko Shrine, or make the trek up Mt. Yoneyama, officially dubbed the Fuji of Echigo” due to its elegant form.

Mt.Yoneyama

Of course, hiking doesn’t have to be all hard work. The legendary 110km Shin-etsu Trail in Joetsu City has a long gradual incline that gives its visitors a serene experience. If you get tired, find strength in the knowledge that it was once traversed by Niigata’s former daimyo Uesugi Kenshin and his army.

Cycling

To properly experience some of Niigata’s most attractive scenery, you’ll need to swap your car for a bike. Thanks to the Niigata Cycle Tourism initiative, many cycling routes have been established that cover both urban and rural areas.

Kubiki Route

Soak up the prefecture’s abundant coastline with the 32km Kubiki Cycling Path running next to the Sea of Japan on a former railway line, or the 11km Sasagawa Nagare course, which takes you past natural rock arches, caves and precipitous cliffs. Further inland, die-hard riders can try the Yukiguni Uonuma Golden Cycle Route through the pristine rice fields and hills of Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma City and Uonuma City. Even the prefecture’s bustling capital offers bikers a chance to take in the magnificent Bandai Bridge (https://edge-of-niigata.com/blog/39209/), noteworthy parks and museums via the Niigata Island Course. Finally, what bike tour would be complete without experiencing Sado Island? Of course, you can choose to tackle the entire 210km of the island—the longest prefectural road in Japan—or opt for individual courses around Kamo Lake, Ogi in the south or straight through the island and past the famed Sado Island Gold Mine.
With the proliferation of e-bikes around Niigata, you can make short work of even the toughest hills, giving you more time to enjoy the ride and take in the scenery.

Glamping / Camping

As we mentioned, once the white of winter disappears, some of Niigata’s snowiest areas become its most verdant, making them the perfect spots for roughing it outdoors…almost. Glamping, while relatively new, has taken root all over the prefecture, giving you the best of both worlds.

Maiko-resort

Live it up at Maiko Glamping in air-conditioned dome tents, play some golf, savor the mouthwatering local Minamiuonuma cuisine and take a dip in the onsen. Joetsu’s Cupid Valley transforms into a peaceful highland environment dotted with fully equipped dog-friendly log cabins imported directly from Canada. Feel the luxury of Igarashi-tei Garden Niigata Agano Resort while lounging on the grounds of a wealthy farmer and sipping on award-winning Swan Lake Beer. After a walk around the aforementioned Yahiko Shrine, take your pick at Yahiko YYPark between equipped domes, a luxurious private villa or on a soft French bed under a cotton Nordisk tent.
For those who prefer the austerity of good old-fashioned camping, there are 47 “auto camp” sites that allow campers to drive onto the grounds and set up their own tents. Nagaoka’s top-rated Wajima Auto Campground grants guests spectacular views from its coastal perch next to the Sea of Japan, while its equally acclaimed Oguni Forest Park further inland is the oldest forest park in Niigata Prefecture, complete with a hot spring facility and a suspension bridge. Experience the largest sunset in the world at Kashiwazaki’s Natureland Shiiya, where you can purchase and grill delicious local seafood just 5 minutes from the Sea of Japan. Nestled at the foot of the Iide Mountain Range is a village within the remote Sekikawa Village: Oishi Auto Camp Village, a 120,000 square meter site surrounded by towering trees and an abundance of unspoiled nature.
Whether you choose to hunker down near the mountains, forest or seaside, camping in one of Niigata’s plethora of options is an experience like none other.

Scenic Spots

Much of Niigata’s “green season” appeal lies not only in activities, but aesthetics, with some sights only exclusive to spring and summer.

Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel

The Tokamachi area is one of Niigata’s most popular destinations, and not just for the snow. Each spring, tourists flock to see the impressive Kiyotsu Gorge via its spectacular Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel that casts the rocky valley’s natural elements in an unforgettable creative light. Elsewhere in the area, take a peaceful stroll through the aptly titled Bijinbayashi (“forest of beauties) and its centuries-old beech trees. As Niigata is Japan’s largest rice-producing prefecture, don’t miss the stunning Hoshitoge Rice Terraces in the mountainous Matsudai region that reflect the colors of the sky in their pools of water.
Besides producing some of the best rice in the nation, Niigata’s Uonuma region is the home of Okutadami Lake: a 600-square-kilometer man-made reservoir that was the surprising result of the Okutadami Dam. From May to November, you can hop aboard the cruise ship and take in the green charm of the adjacent mountains. Speaking of mountains, if you make it to the lookout point at Shiori Mountain Pass at daybreak, you’ll be witness to the stunning phenomena known as Takigumo, or “cloud waterfall”.
We can’t gush enough about the treasures to be found on Sado Island—literally. For an authentic experience, head south to Ogi, where you can not only get taken out to sea on a washtub-like Tarai-bune but also make the sacred trip over the vermillion bridge from Yajima to Kyojima. Then make your way to the northern coast to see Futatsugame, two verdant rock formations that resemble turtles.

Conclusion

Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list of Niigata’s green-season experiences. A prefecture blessed with miles of coastline, soaring mountains, wide plains and lush forests naturally contains a multitude of gems just waiting to be discovered. Don’t wait until the dark cold winter. Get out there and relish the sunnier side of Niigata this year!

Even though Joshua Furr is from North Carolina (home of bluegrass, flight and Pepsi), he prefers a life outside the U.S, specifically Niigata prefecture. He has a beautiful wife and two sons, all whom he forces to listen to Japan-based conversation and 80s city-pop. Around lunch, he dreams about eating gyudon at Sukiya. When he’s not spending time with his family, he’s writing, teaching or jogging with his dog in the forest.