Photo By: Cara Lam
Region
Chubu
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Niigata
Population
2,475,724

Takada Park

Find out the reason why this park is one of Japan’s Top 3 cherry blossom viewing spots.

Takada Park is a 50-hectare wooded area in the heart of Joetsu City that surprises visitors with natural gems all year round. The major attraction of the park is undoubtedly the picturesque scenery in both day and night.

You’ll find the triple turret Takada Castle and moat that used to belong to the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu — one of Japan’s most important military dictators who unified the country and established the Edo Period.

takada castle ruins, niigata

Photo by: ©Niigata Professional Photographers Society/©JNTO Takada castle ruins.

When the moat around the castle is calm, it gives a beautiful reflection of the triple turret structure. In addition to the castle, you will also find an athletic stadium, a baseball stadium, bronze sculptures and multiple playgrounds.

However, if you think that Takada Park is like any other park, you may want to rethink.

Cherry blossom festival in Spring

Every year from early to mid-April, Takada Park turns into a massive sea of pink with its 4,000 cherry trees.

The park is gorgeous during the day, but it is magical at night with the cherry blossoms illuminated. More than a million visitors are attracted to this park for its thousands of cherry trees and lit up lanterns. A variety of 300 food and games stalls line the park during the two-week festival, showering the surroundings with festivities and warmth.

Photo by: Cara Lam Takada Park in Joetsu, Niigata.

It’s not difficult to spend up to two hours to finish strolling around the whole park. Although the park is lit up almost throughout the park, the “Sakura Road,” in particular, is lit up with pink, blue and purple lights. Get ready for a magical ceiling of cherry blossom trees — just one of the reasons it is considered one of Japan’s “Top 3 cherry blossom viewing spots.”

Get ready for a magical ceiling of cherry blossom trees — just one of the reasons it is considered one of Japan’s “Top 3 cherry blossom viewing spots.”

To do it the Japanese way during the day, picnic at the park while dense cherry blossoms canopy above you. Children can hang around the park’s play equipment while adults (of course, children, as well) can enjoy local band and dance performances on the “Sakura Stage.”

Still, it is an outdoor event and it is generally quite chilly in April in rural Niigata, so layer up and bring plenty of hand warmers.

In other seasons

Besides the cherry blossoms in April, Takada Park turns into another natural spectacle from late July to mid-August, when hundreds of lotus flowers are in full bloom at the park’s moat and expansive pond. There, you will have the chance to see white, yellow and pink lotuses with moist, translucent petals.

Photo by: Cara Lam Lotus blooms!

Needless to say, Takada offers wonderful autumn foliage and turns into a serene winter wonderland when January rolls around. Because of all the mind-soothing strolls Takada Park allows, it is revered by locals all year-round, so don’t miss out on the fun! Please note, however, nearby accommodation books up fast around the city area in April so look for something early.

? This location is in Niigata Prefecture —  GaijinPot Travel’s No. 1 place to visit in 2018! ?

Things To Know

Hours

The park is free-of-charge to enter and is open 24 hours a day.

Cherry blossoms

Blossoms and castle are lit up from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

How To Get There

Address

943-0835, Japan

By train

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Joetsumyoko station then transfer to the local Myoko Haneuma line to get to Takada Station. From there, you can take a 20-minute walk to the park or take the Kubiki bus for “Takada Koen Iriguchi” and get off at the final stop.

By car

Takada Park is about 15 minutes away from Joetsu Interchange on Hokuriku Expressway or Joetsu Takada Interchange on Joshinetsu Expressway. Note that the usual parking lots inside the park become unavailable during the cherry blossom festival so please use the designated paid parking lots about five minutes away from the park. A shuttle bus will then bring you directly to the park.

Where To Stay

Art Hotel Joetsu
  • 5-1-11 Honcho, Joetsu-shi, Niigata, 943-0832 Japan
  • ¥6,700 - ¥17,100
  • 4.1/5 (2,505 reviews)
  • 1.2 km
APA Hotel Joetsu-Myoko-Ekimae
  • 2-3-1 Yamato, Joetsu-shi, Niigata, 943-0861 Japan
  • ¥8,900 - ¥13,600
  • 4.31/5 (531 reviews)
  • 3.0 km
Hotel Route-Inn Joetsu
  • 157-1 Shioyashinden, Joetsu-shi, Niigata, 942-0064 Japan
  • ¥9,600 - ¥9,600
  • 4.05/5 (527 reviews)
  • 6.0 km
Hotel Route-Inn Myoko Arai
  • 1-4-8 Takayanagi, Myoko-shi, Niigata, 944-0013 Japan
  • ¥8,150 - ¥8,600
  • 4.05/5 (459 reviews)
  • 8.6 km

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