Events｜Iwamuro Hot Springs Tourism Association

Iwamuro Onsen Art Site
The opening of the climbing season Mt. Taho and Mt.TenJin is the end of March
The tour for experiencing rice planting is at the end of May

Hiyotsuma Firefly Festival. It is held on the mid June to early July.
Yagawa lantern sink. It is held on the mid June.
Fireflies and outdoor concerts. It is held on the late June.
Echigo Nanaura Kannon Big festival. It is held on the late June.
Iwamu Onsen Festival. It is held on the first Saturday and Sunday after August 17th.
Wano Jugoya Festival. It is held on the first weekend of August.
Maze and Tanoura Swimming Beach Festival. It is held on the early August.
White eggplant Festival.

Straw Art Festival – beginning of September
The Natsui Rice Harvesting and Hazakake (rice-plant hanging) Festival – the end of September
The Niigata Noroshiage (Signal Fire Lighting) Project – the middle of October

Traditional New Year visit (taking place on the night of New Year's Eve to New Year's Day) to Iwamuro Shrine

Hiyotsuma Firefly Festival

The Hyomatsu fireflies are fireflies that are so named because they breed along the banks of the Iwamuro Haraigawa River, which is fed by the pure waters of the Hiyotsuma and Seijin springs. This source of this river is the foothill of Mt. Taho, which is near to Iwamuro. From the middle of June to the beginning of July it is possible to observe many fireflies in areas ranging from the low marshy areas around the river to the tops of the tall cedars. The sight of the glow of the fireflies on the leaves of the cedars resembles flowers of light blooming in the jet black darkness. A number of festivals and concerts are held in the spa town during this period.

Iwamu Onsen Festival.

This colorful festival typical of the area is held on the first Saturday and Sunday after the 17th August. On the first day the traditional Shinto ritual of the procession of portable shrines and a fireworks display are held at Iwamuro Shrine. The second day features the dancing and carrying of portable shrines and a dance called the Geigiyatai Odori and the carrying of portable shrines by children. There is also a fireworks display featuring the golden shower fireworks.

Wano Jugoya Festival Fireworks Star Mine Display

This is a very atmospheric fireworks display event held in the grounds of the Hachiman Shrine. The mock fighting with cudgel that is performed by young men as part of this festival is designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by Niigata City. The Kusa fireworks and firework star mines are set off against a background of accompaniment with traditional music. This is an unusual fireworks display which attracts a lot of spectators. It is a summer festival steeped in tradition. It is held on the first weekend of August.

Natsui Rice Planting and Hazakake (rice plant hanging) Tour

This tour takes place around the Natsui area of Iwamuro, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City, which has been chosen as an area having one of the most beautiful views of villages in Japan (The Best Hundred Views of a Rural Landscape). The tour allows you to experience farming work and fully enjoy the bounty of the fall. The tour consists of harvesting the famous Koshi Hikari brand rice, enjoying the hot springs, local cuisine, and enjoying meeting new people. You can enjoy these experiences fully, in a relaxed and leisurely manner.

Iwamu Rock

This festival was started in Iwamuro, this spa town in Niigata, in order to allow people to experience and enjoy the lifestyle of the area. This festival allows people to freely share the things they love and enjoy. The aim of the festival is to encourage people to share the enjoyment of spending time in the countryside. People freely share their own creativity to bring color to Iwamuro during this period. This is a festival that people have created together.

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Tanoura Swimming Beach

This is near the Tanoura Spa and gives a good view of Sado Island. The sea in this area is amazingly clear, and the sandy beach is beautiful. This swimming beach and the beautiful Maze coastline invite you to enjoy a whole day there. The sun sinking into the sea at sunset is a dramatic and moving sight. Number of hotels: 4. Guest capacity: 300 people

Shimoyama Swimming Beach

After the swimming season starts, the calm sea in this area is very beautifu, as is the silhouette of Sado Island on the horizon. As you are relaxing here and letting time slip by, the sight of the sun sinking into the Sea of Japan will suddenly catch you unawares. It is enough to make anyone feel romantic. The swimming season runs from the 17th July to the 22nd August. Number of seasonal hotels and guest houses: 10. Guest capacity: 400. During the swimming season there is a pool open specially for children.

Mt. Taho

The old name of this mountain was Mt.Todakara. It is one of twin peaks of the same mountain as Mt. Yahiko to the south. It is the highest mountain in Niigata city. (Height: 633.8mt) There are three starting points of trail up the mountain from Iwamuro : Iwamuro Shrine, Marukoyama Park, and Ishize. It forms a part of the Sado Yahiko Yoneyama National Park, and features a lot of beautiful nature. The mountain is the source of a number of clear springs. There are many attractive wild plants and flowers growing here, such as hepatica, dogtooth violet, anemone nikoensis, and golden-banded lily etc.

Echigo Nanaura Seaside Line

This is a 14km driving course that runs from Nozumi Beach, Teradomari, on the sea-facing side of Mt. Yahiko to the Mt.Kakuda pass. It is a very popular stretch of road from where you can admire the beauty of the Sea of Japan. The outstanding views from here include the deep blue sea, and the beautiful rock formations such as Tachi Iwa, Shishi ga Hana, and Shiro Iwa. This driving course which looks out over to Sado Island, and from which you can see the beautiful sunsets of the Sea of Japan is also called the Sea of Japan Sunset Line. The Maze coastline is located at its center.

Marukoyama Park

It is a five minute walk from the center of the spa town. The green grass of the park makes it a place to feel invigorated by nature. It is a popular place among local residents and features walking courses, open spaces, and tennis and gateball courts.

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