Joetsu City

Joetsu City is a coastal city in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, deep in Honshu's snow country. It grew from the castle town of the samurai lord Uesugi Kenshin, one of the great generals of the Sengoku era, and his presence still defines the place.

The mountaintop ruins of Kasugayama Castle, Kenshin's stronghold, command the town he ruled, and Rinsen-ji temple keeps his memory below. In spring, attention shifts to Takada Castle Park, where thousands of illuminated cherry trees around the moats rank among Japan's great night blossom scenes.

The same winters that bury the streets feed a proud local sake tradition, and summer opens swimming beaches along the coast. The Hokuriku Shinkansen stops at Joetsumyoko station, putting the city on the Tokyo-Kanazawa line. Come in early April for the blossoms or midwinter for snow-country atmosphere.